The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) was created by President George W. Bush’s administration in 2002 and funded with bipartisan support from Congress to foster growth, development, and a spirit of partnership between the United States and countries in the Middle East. The initiative brings together the United States, the Arab world, global private-sector business, nongovernmental organizations, civil society elements, and governments to develop innovative policies and programs. Through MEPI, Cisco provided internships to three women from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan from April to August 2007. Cisco placed these outstanding businesswomen in different roles across the company and provided training and management skills. The interns not only gained practical business experience, they also were able to experience the culture, people, and life in the United States. Each intern was selected on the basis of her educational level, schooling, and career path. The first phase was a short MBA curriculum at Emory and Duke Universities, after which the interns were placed with Cisco. The program was a great success for both the interns and Cisco employees. Many of the Cisco managers and mentors involved have expressed how much they gained from the program. |
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