But the London School of Economics isn’t the only university that has found itself in the public eye this week.

MSU also has been identified as a program that educates government-sponsored students from Libya, some of whom are affiliated with the Libyan government.

The Visiting International Professionals Program, or VIPP, is a two-year course that teaches foreign students about communicating and interacting in English-speaking countries as well as educating them in their field of choice, university spokesman Kent Cassella said. 35 Libyan professionals currently are enrolled in the VIPP program at MSU.

Cassella said the university also has VIPP students from Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea and China.

“When we decide to accept government-sponsored students, we are very mindful of the sponsoring government,” Cassella said. “Our aim is always to help the people of Libya, not a particular government or regime.”

Cassella said the participants in the program were selected through an open application process. Most of the Libyan students enrolled in the program are students interested in learning about international relations and are not affiliated with the Libyan government, he said.

Some of the students in the program, such as Faeirouz Elbergwa, a political science graduate student from the Libyan city of Benghazi, are opposed to the current regime and hope to be a part of a new government.

Elbergwa said she was selected by the Libyan government to attend MSU on scholarship because of her high grades in college.

Elbergwa said she did not have ties to the Libyan government prior to being selected and does not support the actions of Gaddafi’s government, the same government which provides her with a scholarship and an allowance while she attends MSU.

Initially, Elbergwa was expected to work for Gaddafi’s administration as an ambassador, but now Elbergwa said she is eager to work the government following the revolution.

“Everyone (tries) to work for a better country,” Elbergwa said. “If you disconnect yourself from your country or from your system, it’s not a way to make your country better … you try to work with the system and make it better.”

Cassella said Davies resignation stemmed from the Libyan government gifting endowments to the London School of Economics, or the LSE, which was advising the regime on economic reform.

Unlike the LSE, MSU does not receive any additional funding or compensation from the participating countries, including Libya, Cassella said.

Elbergwa, who has protested Gaddafi’s regime at MSU and in Washington D.C., said Libyan students affiliated with the government have threatened to report her anti-government activities. Reports of such activities could put Elbergwa’s scholarship in jeopardy.

Despite current rough relations between the U.S. and Libyan governments, Elbergwa said VIPP is beneficial.

“The first year (of the program) focuses on English language skills,” Cassella said. “The second year it becomes a little more focused for the individual. The group from Libya, they are all interested in international relations (and) diplomatic relations.”

Although the program is educating government officials, Elbergwa appreciates VIPP because of the support it offers her.

“I think this program will be beneficial for my new country because I’m here because of this program raising my voice, letting everyone know what’s going on in Libya,” Elbergwa said. “The problem is not with MSU, the problem is within the program. We are (a) divided people.”

Continue to check statenews.com for updates on this story.