The Daniels College of Business (DCB) received a $500,000 grant from alumni Matthew and Kathy Azeez for a stronger focus on Israel within DCB. This is not the first time the Azeezes have donated to DCB; they have supported scholarship funds and study abroad opportunities in the past.

Matthew Azeez is a private investor who graduated from DU in 1980 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), while also serving on the boards of multiple non-profits. Kathy Azeez also graduated in 1980 with a BSBA and is the owner of Unique Quilt Patterns.

Half of the gift is directed towards opportunities for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students at DCB. The new MBA program spotlights global education, which is what the Azeezes’ grant applies to. Students and faculty will be able to use the funds to travel to Israel and learn from Israel start-up businesses, as the Azeezes view Israel as a hotspot for entrepreneurship that DCB students will be able to learn from.

“This gift will help us expand on our global and experiential opportunities for students,” said DCB Dean Brent Chite in a statement released to the DU community. “They are a critical component of the premier education at Daniels.”

The second half of the grant will create new programming, as well as augment existing programming between DU and Israeli businesses. The current goal is create two conferences, one in Colorado and one in Israel, in order to create a better exchange and flow of ideas between the two countries. Also included in that will be cross-disciplinary projects like hackathons and pitch competitions.

The Azeezes and DCB hope that this grant will expand the opportunities for both students and faculty.