The Role of Universities in a Multi‐Ethnic, Multicultural Environment‐‐Strategies and Implementation Mechanisms

Abstract

International universities have a responsibility to provide students in a multi‐ethnic, multicultural environment with appropriate education. Bringing about understanding, tolerance, and liberal education to students of such backgrounds requires a common language of instruction, a good orientation, a liberal curriculum, special settings, and wise guidance. The experience of the Lebanese American University in this respect is cited as a unique example because of the nature of the institution and the uniqueness of Lebanon as a country with a long history of integration. The citizens of the Twenty‐First Century will need to learn how to deal with issues of diversity, of co‐habitation of different cultures, and of tolerance in order to fit into a global society.