HAAA Achievement Award

Harvard Arab Alumni Association Achievement Award

The Harvard Arab Alumni Association (HAAA) Achievement Award was established in December 2007 to recognize and honor an outstanding Harvard Arab alumnus with distinctive achievements in promoting cultural, economic, political, scientific or social development in the Arab world. Our members nominate candidates for the award from around the world. Subsequent to receipt of such nominations, a special committee of the HAAA Board reviews each of the nominations and then submits such nominations to the Executive Board for selection. The first HAAA Achievement Award was conferred in December 2007 upon Mr. Mohamed El-Erian, former Chairman and CEO of the Harvard Management Company and the current CEO and Co-CIO of PIMCO.

HAAA is honored to have conferred its second Achievement Award upon His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifai (Harvard College, ’57), President of the Senate in Jordan since 1997 and a former Prime Minister. His Excellency’s current position as President of the Senate and formerly holding the post of Prime Minister twice do not fully capture the critical role His Excellency has played and continues to play in Jordanian and Middle Eastern politics. At every juncture in Jordan’s history over the past five decades, His Excellency has been very close to the key decision makers and then quickly became a key advisor and decision maker himself.

His Excellency was nominated and selected for the award by a very diverse group of alumni because of his remarkable contributions to Jordan and the Arab world as well as the exemplary and tireless leadership he has shown to increasing the number of Arab students at Harvard. As Prime Minister of Jordan and now President of the Senate, he has championed issues such as just and equitable peace in the Middle East, democracy, and political and social development in the Arab world, which have led to important changes in the region, including the signing of peace agreements with Israel and political and economic renaissance in Jordan and the Arab world. Furthermore, the admissions community at Harvard regards His Excellency as one of the most important Arab alumni in his effort to increase admissions from the Arab world to Harvard.
We are honored to have conferred this award upon one of our most distinguished alumni, His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifa’i.

His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifa’i

His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifa’i was born in Amman, Jordan in 1936 and has enjoyed a highly decorated career in public service. His Excellency joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served in the embassies of Jordan in Cairo, Beirut, London and the United Nations. His Excellency was transferred to the Royal Hashemite Court in 1964 where he successfully occupied the posts of Chief of the Royal Protocol; Secretary General of the Royal Court; Private Secretary to His Majesty the King; and Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court. In 1972, His Excellency was appointed as Political Advisor to His Majesty the King. His Excellency formed his Cabinet in 1973 and held the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Defense in addition to the Prime Ministry. His Excellency formed his second cabinet in 1985 and held the portfolio of Defense in addition to the Prime Ministry. His Excellency was appointed to the Senate several times and has been serving as President of the Senate since June 8, 1997.

His Excellency has received numerous Jordanian and international decorations. In Jordan, he was the recipient of the following decorations: The Arab Renaissance (Al-Nahda), the Kawkab, and The Independence (Istiklal). His Excellency has also received decorations from Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Lebanon, the Sultanate of Oman, France, the U.K., China, Turkey, Pakistan and Romania.

His Excellency received his B.A. in Political Science from Harvard University in 1957 and an M.A. in Law and International Relations from Columbia University in 1958.