Spartan Profiles: Adnan Badran
RUNNING UNESCO
A well-known component of the United Nations is UNESCO, which sponsors educational, scientific and cultural programs to help promote worldwide peace. Based in Paris, with 2,220 staffing its Secretariat, the organization helps sponsor everything from 'World Heritage' sites to a myriad scientific programs, including the Human Genome Project. UNESCO's number two person since 1993 is Adnan Badran, M.S. '61, Ph.D. '63, who previously was Jordan's Minister of Education and of Agriculture, and founded and served as president of two universitieis--Yarmouk University and Jordan University of Science and Technology.
A longtime biochemistry teacher in his native Jordan, Badran is now considered a strong candidate to become UNESCO's director-general in 2000. 'UNESCO is well known because of its wide mandate,' says Adnan, well-rested the day after France won the World Cup. 'We cover education from childhood until death, you might say continuous education through life. And science, basic or applied, for teaching or research. And culture, even in the physical sense.'
One example of the latter is the reconstruction of Abu Simbel in Egypt, saving the structure from floods, and Ankor Wat in Vietnam. 'So far we've restored half the temples,' notes Adnan, who adds UNESCO has designated 325 'World Heritage' sites.
Currently UNESCO is undertaking a $156 million project to rebuild the Library of Alexandria, a Wonder of the Ancient World. To help preserve native flora and fauna around the world, UNESCO has declared 425 biosphere reserves--including the Grand Canyon. 'We don't stop human activity,' he explains. 'We support sustainable development.'
Badran praises MSU as 'a very good university' where he enjoyed 'the campus, good research work, and going across the street for a cup of coffee.' He adds that he enjoyed following Duffy Daugherty and the football team, and, 'I especially enjoyed MSU in the winter when I almost skated around the campus.'