The Summer is Approaching!
Can it be? Yes, that's right, the MEET 2006 Summer will be here before you know it. Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

Instructor training enhanced by Carnegie Mellon's professional
Wrapping up this year's US instructor training sessions was Carnegie Mellon's Gil Taran. Taran, who has volunteered his experience and expertise to enhance MEET's instructor training, has been teaching project management and software engineering to MA students at Carnegie Mellon for the past 4 years. Taran's main focus is the different human aspects in software engineering, a passion he often conveys to various international audiences. He is part of an ongoing MEET effort aimed at enhancing instructor soft skills and capabilities in the area of communications, team building and conflict resolution. The seminar was held at MIT and included lectures, problem solving discussions, and hands-on exercises.

Mentors Wanted!
MEET is looking for several ambitious high-level volunteers to take part in our Mentor Program. Our Israeli & Palestinian high tech Mentors have a key role in MEET's yearlong program. Each mentor leads a small group of students on a bi-weekly basis, guiding them in developing a range of Java programming projects. Past mentors have committed approximately 12 hours per month. "Working with MEET's students can be an unforgettable, extremely rewarding experience" says Omer Shatzki, a former mentor and current Mentor Program Director. Please contact Tali for more information.

Name: Yohannan
Age: 16
Lives in: Jerusalem
Joined MEET: July '04
In His Own Words: "Hey there! My name is Yohanan the Great! What do I love? I enjoy entertaining people, for me, laughter is the best cure. I love all kinds of sports including acrobatics, unicycle, acting, computers and much more! I don't really know what I am planning in the future... I'm way too spontaneous."

MEET the New Instructors

This year, the newly-formed MIT MEET student group was responsible for recruiting, interviewing and selecting instructors from nearly 60 applicants in various departments at MIT. The recruitment was a great success and resulted in nine new computer science instructors, including Paul Ojanen and Nune Martirosyan (pictured). Each instructor brings their unique set of talents, curiosity, and lots of new energy to the MEET team.

Paul graduated from MIT with a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering degree in 2001, and has worked as an electrical engineer for several American companies. He has also taught math and computer science at Duke University's Talent Identification Program for gifted students, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Harvard University. Paul also served as an officer in the US Air Force, and while stationed in Germany he worked as a communication engineer alongside representatives from many countries.

Nune Martirosyan is currently a sophomore at MIT double-majoring in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering and Brain & Cognitive Sciences. She is also earning a minor in Russian Studies at Harvard University. Born in Armenia, Nune lived in Fairbanks, Alaska before enrolling at MIT. She has been an undergraduate research assistant at MIT's Computational Cognitive Science Laboratory, and is also a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and volunteer for MIT's student-run ambulance service.

Both Nune and Paul are very excited about participating in MEET!

First MEET class to graduate face challenging new summer curriculum

In August, 15 students will become the first to graduate from MEET's Three Year Educational Program. For these "Y3" students this summer will be nothing like the first two. No longer under the sole instruction of the MIT team, these mature Palestinian and Israeli students will become interns, teachers, and organizers in their own right. Only so much can be taught inside of a classroom. While the Y1 and Y2 programs have been very successful at providing valuable skills in programming, software development, business and entrepreneurship, the Y3 program focuses on preparing students to take responsibility and be leaders in the real world.

The MEET Y3 Students will be divided into two tracks. Internship Track students will spend five weeks as interns at a local IT company, working four days a week on site and developing projects with a mentor. They will have obligations, deadlines to meet, and at the end of the summer a presentation to the rest of the Y3 students on what they accomplished. The Teaching Track students will help to teach the Y1 curriculum alongside the MIT Instructors. They will be get experience teaching in front of a class, and will also mentor the Y1 students. Y3 student-teachers will also act as software consultants to the Y2 software projects, providing expertise and assistance.

The other major goal of the Y3 program is the creation of the MEET Alumni Network. The MEET Alumni Network, which will be established primarily by the Y3 students, will facilitate networking among MEET graduates. We plan to report more on the Network, as it develops, in our Summer Newsletter.

MEET's Bethlehem Program - an Update

Last year, MEET decided to expand its impact outside of Jerusalem by taking 5 students from the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Because the trip between the two cities can be difficult, these students made the voyage only once a week, spending weeknights in Jerusalem. Working hard during the week the students had the pleasure of spending the evenings together too. This initial pilot proved to be such a success that we are now taking steps towards becoming a fully overnight program. This summer MEET will expand the overnight component of the program with students from yet another Palestinian city, Ramallah, and an additional Israeli city, Beit Shemesh - all together 15 students - spending the weeks in Jerusalem.

Since students work together throughout the year and are expected to meet every week, the students are often faced with the daily reality in the region. Bethelehem students often encounter difficulties in reaching the MEET labs in Jerusalem. MEET has been able to secure travel permits for these students on a regular basis, but it is not always a simple task and remains an ongoing challenges. The recent West Bank closure required new approaches. Building its technological strengths, MEET has utilized voice-over-IP and other collaboration software to keep students in touch and working together. We continue to explore ways to further leverage technology to bridge the walls, checkpoints and physical seperations between our students, as we plan to increase the number of students from the Palestinian Authority cities as well as from other cities in Israel in the coming years.

DaimlerChrysler utilizes creative approach for MEET partnership

How does one company impacts a community beyond a financial investment? How can a company leverage its knowledge and expertise to do good? DaimlerChrysler, one of the first corporate donors to recognize MEET's unique approach and potential impact, has some answers. As early as Dec '03 and for the past 3 years DaimlerChrysler has played a significant role in shaping our organization. Thinking proactively and creatively, DaimlerChrysler has extended support far beyond their generous and continuous financial commitments. DaimlerChrysler representatives in Israel, together with their financial services arm Debis, have promoted MEET in their internal business networks. They have volunteered their time speaking with MEET students, initiated fundraising events, promoted MEET in corporate PR materials, shared management tools with our staff, and provided other valuable support. Learn how your company can join DaimlerChrysler and MEET's Corporate Partership Program.

More MEET News...

MEET Home | Make a Donation | Unsubscribe