LAU has been awarded the largest grant in its history – over $23 million for the Higher Education Scholarships Program (HES). 

The grant was awarded on a competitive basis by USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, an independent branch of the American federal government that works toward international development.

The grant is intended to support four cohorts of Lebanese students from public schools across Lebanon, and also includes a new refugee scholarship component with a bachelor’s degree track and a professional certification track that offers learning in a number of areas through LAU’s Continuing Education Program (CEP).

LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra congratulated the “formidable team” from Student Development and Enrollment Management (SDEM) and the Department of Finance, who “superbly rose to the challenge of writing a great grant proposal that was stunningly well-articulated in its components and meticulously guided by our passionate commitment to offer a university education to those qualified men and women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to join LAU for financial reasons.”

He specifically thanked SDEM Vice President Elise Salem, Assistant Vice President for Outreach and Civic Engagement Elie Samia, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Abdo G. Ghié, Assistant Vice President for Finance-Corporate Affairs Simon Sakr, and Senior Supervisor at the Grants and Contracts Office Elsie Lahad.

“At LAU, we firmly believe that the answer to the ills that afflict society in Lebanon and the Arab world is education, education, and still education,” Jabbra said. “This belief goes to the heart of our mission that our founders and predecessors worked so hard to keep aglow in our hearts.”

“We are very happy USAID has granted us this large amount of money for our Higher Education Scholarships Program,” said Salem. “With this grant, they confirm their belief in LAU’s mission to spread education to those from all backgrounds and means.” 

By earmarking some of the funding for refugees living in Lebanon, the grant also addresses an underserved population, giving them a chance at an education that can help reduce their vulnerability and help them advance socially and economically. “The impact of an LAU education on the refugee population will be enormous,” noted Salem.

Already, LAU has some of the most generous financial aid programs of all universities in Lebanon. The USAID grant increases the size of LAU’s funding to a great extent, and will allow deserving students an affordable education they might not have otherwise had access to. The grant also showcases USAID’s commitment to the university and its mission of providing an education to aspiring scholars regardless of their ability to pay for tuition. 

“LAU honors every letter of its mission statement when it bestows academic excellence, civic-mindedness and job readiness on a highly deserving student population coming from the public, private and refugee segments across Lebanon,” said Samia after the grant was announced. “This is the spirit of LAU manifesting itself at its best.”

As Salem summed up, “Our role is education, and ensuring a fantastic education to all deserving students means that we impact them, their families, and the future of our country.”

When Rayan Deeb applied for the Fulbright Scholarship, she knew exactly which career she wanted to pursue: international development. Recently, the political science and international affairs senior was granted the prestigious scholarship to work toward a Master in Development Practice at the University of Minnesota beginning in the fall of 2018.

Deeb’s experience at LAU’s Department of Social Sciences had helped her decide her path. “The courses that are given in my major allow students to become aware of the different career options they have,” she said, referring to the diverse fields offered in the program. “The combination of a major in political science and international affairs and a minor in economics made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in international development.”

That is precisely the goal of the program at LAU, according to Department of Social Sciences Chair Marwan Rowayheb. “The political science/international affairs program prepares students for careers in international relations,” he explained, “providing them with the tools and skills to help in solving social, economic and political problems that are faced by many countries all around the globe.”

The Fulbright Scholarship is an exclusive merit-based grant that provides funding for graduate-level studies at universities in the United States. The program selects between 12 and 15 Lebanese students each year.

Students accepted into the program are required to complete a 10-week “international field experience” during the summer between the two years of the program, which includes cross-cultural training and professional work, according to Fulbright.

Hands-on experience is not new to Deeb. She is already an active part of LAU’s campus life as a member of several student clubs and activities. While studying, she also interned through LAU as a writer at the English-language The Daily Star newspaper and was a regular blogger as well.

“In my undergraduate years, LAU regularly sent internship opportunities and encouraged me to start training,” she said, noting how important interning is to learn first-hand about “soft skills” and how offices function.

She has also been involved in LAU’s simulation programs as a trainer at high schools through the Global Classrooms-LAU Model United Nations (MUN). She accompanied the LAU MUN delegation to Rome in 2016 and was selected as the assistant chair of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the Harvard World MUN in Montreal in 2017.

Such rich experiences helped Deeb become more focused and confident of her education and career priorities. “I have also been exposed to different cultures and worldviews, which encouraged me to apply to universities abroad,” she added.

This fall, she will begin her graduate work on the Minneapolis campus at the University of Minnesota, which is a major research institution and considered one of America's “Public Ivy” universities.

Rich experiences at LAU helped Deeb become more focused and confident of her education and career priorities.

LAU New York held its sixth annual gala on April 26 at the New York Athletic Club overlooking Central Park in Manhattan. The gala was a memorable night filled with music, laughter and a silent auction. The packed house of supporters gathered to honor LAU's legacy as a school founded by a woman, for women, with this year's proceeds earmarked for LAU’s Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW). Established in 1973, IWSAW is a pioneer in academic research on women in the Middle East and seeks to empower women through development programs and education.

Guests at the gala were shown a video produced by IWSAW on their work with disadvantaged women in Lebanon. One of IWSAW’s many community outreach initiatives is to teach women – both Lebanese and refugees in the country – basic life skills to better their living situations and those of their families. The women learn about topics such as food safety, childproofing their homes and family planning that will have an immediate and lasting impact. IWSAW also trains social workers in Lebanon to incorporate the basic life skills training into their practices.

The LAU NY Gala has become a significant gathering for the friends and supporters of the university, and provides an opportunity to honor special individuals and showcase their achievements. Ed Shiner, director of alumni and special projects at LAU NY, remarked, “The gala is not only a fundraiser but a wonderful time to bring the LAU extended family together to celebrate the university’s growth and development and to reinforce its mission.”

LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra presented the prestigious Sarah Huntington Smith Awards to Aida Sharabati Shawwaf, a humanitarian focusing on women's education in the Middle East and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and to Majdi Ramadan, consul general for Lebanon in New York.

Jabbra reminded guests of Sarah Huntington Smith’s long journey from Norwich, Connecticut to the shores of Beirut. “She decides to give up all material possessions in 1835 to establish the first institution, perhaps in the world, for the education of women in the Ottoman Empire. That institution is now LAU,” he exclaimed.

Honoree Shawwaf is a strong advocate for women’s education in the Middle East. She spoke passionately about the importance of IWSAW focusing on women’s education to alleviate many social ills, including poverty, family health and illiteracy. “IWSAW’s work will contribute to real cultural change leading to a more equitable society with equal access to economic and political power for all,” Shawwaf said.

The second honoree of the evening, Consul General Ramadan, has served the Lebanese community through extensive outreach, interaction and promotion of all events related to the Lebanese diaspora in the northeastern US. Ramadan thanked LAU for the award: “LAU provides an education that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity and change. It instills confidence and a sense of social responsibility in them; and, above all, the ability to question what one is told or presented with. You are a community that gives, and I am thankful for that.”   

Journalist Rita Zihenni kept the audience entertained as the master of ceremonies, as did Lebanese tenor Amine Hachem with Brian Holman on the piano, who gave stellar performances throughout the evening. Guests bid on luxury items as part of the silent auction, which raised over $7,000 for IWSAW by the end of the evening.

Jabbra affirmed the sentiment of the night, stating, “With your support, we will continue to carry out our educational mission with determination and drive. Excellence is our passion; LAU is our pride.”

Honoree Aida Sharabati Shawwaf spoke passionately about the importance of IWSAW’s focus on women’s education.

Consul General Majdi Ramadan receives his award from LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra for his service to the Lebanese community in the northeastern US.

Festival Next 2018 is connecting LAU students with their heritage and pushing them to explore new horizons.

The festival – which will take place on Beirut Campus from May 8 to May 11 – includes a versatile program of workshops and lectures on community building in social media, production design and reporting conflict. There are also a speech competition, media and cinema exhibitions, a band performance, and a play reading, as well as the presentation of the 2018 LAU Communication Arts Alumni Award and the Production Fund Award.

“Festival Next is a reimagining of the theater festival that took place before,” coordinator and Film and Television Instructor Omar Moujaes said, referring to LAU’s 19-year old International University Theater Festival.

The main objective behind the rebranded festival is to showcase the “best out of each unit” in the Department of Communication Arts. The event will culminate in a Production Fund Award, which binds the four units together in a new and exciting type of medium that’s emerging right now” known as Transmedia Project, Moujaes said.

One student from each of the four units – journalism, communication, performing arts and film – will be selected to come up with a project that “tells one story on multiple platforms.” These students will, in turn, become the team leaders.

“The project cannot be just about ‘go make a film or a play,’” said Moujaes. “They have to come up with a solution, to benefit the community and to involve the community. And that requires a kind of an investigative study. It can be, for example, performing arts mixed with film,” he added, stressing the importance of teamwork.

Students will be awarded a fund of up to $3,000 and will work throughout the coming academic year to present their work during Festival Next 2019. In the process, they will be advised by faculty members and have access to the Communication Arts Department’s equipment and facilities. “We want our students to venture to these new techniques, especially to use all of the departments,” Moujaes said.  

The festival also honors those who laid the foundations of Lebanese artistic heritage. One such pillar is composer and musician Wadih El Safi, whose best-known pieces will be celebrated on May 9 in a concert conducted by LAU Senior Instructor of Music Joseph Khalifeh and performed by Lebanese singers Carla Ramia and Jalal Possik.

Festival Next is also an exciting opportunity to expose LAU students in general, and film enthusiasts in particular, to “the rich cinematic experiences that this region has on all levels,” said Television and Film Lecturer Nasser Chour.

On May 11, Hedi – written and directed by Tunisian Mohamed Ben Attia – will be screened, followed by a Q&A with its lead actor Majd Mastoura. Hedi won the Golden Bear for Best First Feature at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival in 2016, while Mastoura won the Silver Bear for best actor.

“It is of an urgent need to create a venue to screen and celebrate films that tell stories from the MENA region by successful local and regional filmmakers,” Chour said. “The whole idea of owning our stories and being able to have the authorship of our culture and our issues is very important.”

The screening of the movie goes hand in hand with efforts to “complement the mission and vision of the department in promoting Arabic-speaking media content,” noted Chour, “and in being the leader in the region to educate and empower tomorrow’s storytellers.”

To download the Festival Next 2018 program, go to http://comm.lau.edu.lb/festival-next-2018.

The main objective behind the rebranded festival is to showcase the “best out of each unit” in the Department of Communication Arts.

The Lebanese American University’s (LAU) latest report on the support it received during Fiscal Year 2017 revealed that the university had raised an impressive $16.5+ million through 1,238 donations during that timeframe. The Contributors Report 2017, which covers the period from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017, highlights the tremendous impact of donations made to the institution, and provides valuable insight on the overall distribution of these contributions.

The money raised is thanks to LAU’s generous alumni, friends, businesses, NGOs and government entities who made in-kind and monetary gifts that enabled the institution to increase critical student financial support, advance facilities and learning spaces, and ultimately allow the university to continue to provide students with an unrivaled learning experience.

This year’s report offers readers an in-depth look at where donations were channeled, and information on the types of funds that donors give toward, as well as data and graphs, and inspiring student profiles of those who have benefited from scholarships and financial aid, which for Fiscal Year 2017 rose to 4,015 recipients. This is an increase of 14 percent from the previous fiscal year’s recipients of student financial support.

“What we achieved could not be possible without our invaluable supporters, and we are so grateful to them for helping us make an incredible impact on thousands of students,” said LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra.

Commenting on the outpouring of support for Fiscal Year 2017, which saw an increase of $3.5 million from the previous year, LAU Assistant Vice President for Development Nassib N. Nasr said: “We are incredibly grateful and fortunate to have such devoted benefactors who, together, make a tremendous impact on our students, our community, our region, and beyond.”

LAU’s Contributors Report is produced annually to recognize donors’ generosity and the difference it makes to the university and its students. It is put together by the university’s Office of Development, in coordination with several other departments.

Hard as it may be to “do justice to her pioneering lifetime achievements,” in the words of LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra, the university went all out to express its esteem for dancer, choreographer and champion of the arts Georgette Gebara. She was the guest of honor at a celebration of her stellar career on May 8 at Irwin Hall, Beirut campus.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Ghattas Al-Khoury, who said that Gebara’s “vision was what the country needed today.” In attendance were Director General of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ali Al Samad, Member of LAU’s Board of Trustees Sheikh Walid Katibah, Vice President for Student Affairs Elise Salem, friends of Gebara’s, and LAU faculty, staff and students.

In his welcoming address, Chairman of the Department of Communication Arts Jad Melki opened the annual Festival Next, which the ceremony was a part of, by dedicating it this year to Georgette Gebara.

Gebara started her career at the German Friedel Nichols School of Dance in Cairo where she was born, alongside Maria Caridhias – best known as Nadia Gamal – and Mahmoud Reda. After returning to her native Lebanon, she founded the Lebanese School of Ballet in Hamra in 1960, followed by two additional schools in Tripoli and Zouk Mosbeh – the latter in 1985 while the Lebanese civil war was raging.

Though she was a master of different styles and danced internationally, Gebara was a champion of the arts within her country. Representing Lebanon, she was a founding member of the Institute for the Preservation of Folkloric and Traditional Art for Twelve Mediterranean Countries, and later of the Syndicate of Artists of the Performing Arts.

In addition to several international awards, she was the first – and so far only – recipient of LAU’s International Dance Day Festival (IDDF) Lifetime Achievement Award, taking it home in 2010. Gebara also helped promote the IDDF as its Lebanon representative at UNESCO, noted Associate Professor of Dance and Associate Chair of the Department of Communications Nadra Assaf, who launched the annual festival in the country.

“Georgette Gebara has been nothing less than a fulltime advocate of all the work we do during IDDF and at the Communication Arts Department,” Assaf said. “Our admiration for her is beyond expression. It is on the shoulders of Lebanese artists, and legacies like Georgette’s, that we are able to stand tall and implement a positive artistic future.”

“Your name in itself,” Assaf told Gebara during her tribute, “bears weight and speaks of art… You deserve to be honored not only for dance and theater, but for all the arts that use the body.” Gebara, Assaf said, was “our ambassador in all Arab regions.”

In a befitting homage, dancers performed three pieces, two of which were choreographed by Matthew Henley and Lena Kokarova. The last, choreographed by Assaf herself, was called Like the Dust, a title inspired by a quote from Maya Angelou. The organizers then screened a video honoring Gebara featuring former students and international IDDF participants, such as Henley and Christy McNeil Chand.

After receiving a commemorative shield and a painting tracing her career, Gebara took to the podium to thank LAU and all those present.

“I am overwhelmed,” she began. “As for you, Dr. Jabbra, let me say that every institution takes on the color and importance of its leader, and that’s why LAU today has such a high standing in the world.”

Gebara spoke of her adventures, career triumphs and the ambition that drove her to stage shows during the war. Drawing on an anecdote of a little girl in a pink tutu who aspired to become a dancer, Gebara concluded with a quote from one of her books: “The years go past, times change, war defaces nations, books become tainted with historical lies, but there will always be a girl who dreams of a pink tutu. Thus begins the celebration.”

Gebara spoke of her adventures, career triumphs and the ambition that drove her to stage shows during the war.

Minister of Culture Ghattas Al-Khoury presents Gebara with a commemorative shield in the presence of President Jabbra and Nada Torbey.

Gebara received the adulation with characteristic grace and humility. Pictured here with LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra, Jad Melki, and Director of Public Relations at LAU Nada Torbey.

Of 54 countries worldwide, Lebanon ranks second in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and fourth in terms of early-stage entrepreneurial activities. But perhaps most strikingly, it has by far the highest number of women-driven startups of the eight MENA-region countries surveyed.

These findings are but a few to come out of the large-scale, comprehensive Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) national report. UK Lebanon Tech Hub – a joint international initiative from Banque Du Liban and the British government – worked on the 2015 and 2016 editions of the report but commissioned the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) to research and produce this year’s edition. The report was released at an event held on LAU’s Beirut campus in late April.

“The GEM report is a testimony of AKSOB’s commitment to engagement, innovation and impact,” said AKSOB Dean Said Ladki at the launch. “The school is committed to making a difference in its own environment and to add value along the way,” he declared to the educators, entrepreneurs, government representatives and business owners in attendance.

Director of UK Lebanon Tech Hub’s International Research Centre Elie Akhrass stressed the significance of the report. “GEM is a valuable treasure trove of data that everyone should look for,” he explained, noting that since it spans more than 50 countries, it has the potential to feed into the work of governments, universities and policy makers “to validate or develop new government policies and conduct further research to generate new prospects.” 

The report surveyed a total of 2,000 people to measure variables related to the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lebanon. Levels of education, risk-taking propensity, drive to start a new business, and social and cultural support are among the topics covered.

AKSOB Assistant Professor Wissam AlHussaini, who is also the director of the GEM initiative, presented the report alongside AKSOB consultant Professor Stephen Hill.

“Lebanese entrepreneurs have managed to start new businesses over the years even when the ecosystem was not supportive. It is our responsibility as educators, policy makers and investors to keep this entrepreneurial spirit alive and nourished,” said AlHussaini.

AKSOB invited renowned researchers and entrepreneurs from three other countries – Bulgaria, Morocco and the UAE – to share their findings from the report with the audience at the launch. By including research from the international teams, AlHussaini said, the report not only provides a comprehensive view of entrepreneurial activities, but also manages to contrast “our findings to the global ones.”

AlHussaini was among the Lebanese delegation at the GEM annual meeting held last January in Seoul, South Korea. His wide knowledge on the topic has led him to draw quite a few conclusions: “Lebanon still has a long way to go, since it lacks governmental infrastructure and policies that help provide an attractive haven for enterprising activities,” he said.

However, that hasn’t stopped the Lebanese from opening new businesses. “Anyone aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur should put all the effort into finding or creating opportunities,” he said, “because individual effort is what it all boils down to.” 

A Q&A session followed the presentations.

AKSOB Dean Said Ladki reaffirmed the school’s commitment to engagement, innovation and impact.

Director of UK Lebanon Tech Hub’s International Research Centre Elie Akhrass said that the GEM report was “a valuable treasure trove of data.”

Assistant Professor Wissam AlHussaini (L) and AKSOB consultant Professor Stephen Hill presenting the national GEM report.

Imagine a high-school student in a remote Lebanese village with little to no hope of attending a prestigious university, who then one day receives a call letting them know they will be going to LAU. This story is very real, and has been told time and time again by the majority of the 250 University Scholarship Program (USP) students who have graduated with flying colors since the program’s launch in 2010.

USP provides undergraduate LAU education for public high-school students and technical-school graduates from all six governorates in Lebanon. It is made possible with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and requires scholars to engage in volunteer work, complete internships, attend workshops and give back to their local communities.

“You have been our pride and joy, raising the standards of our university, and on top of your academic success, you somehow managed to do community projects, join in simulation programs, become leaders in clubs, and leave an impact on your own communities across different regions of Lebanon for the better,” said Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem in an address to USP students at a ceremony held in their honor in late April at the Adnan Kassar School of Business.

Students who are enrolled in the program benefit from tuition coverage in selected majors, full board, and countless opportunities to graduate with a “strong CV that is irresistible to potential employers,” as Assistant Vice President for Outreach and Civic Engagement Elie Samia put it.

The event featured a compilation of USP scholars’ successes, from a short documentary showcasing the students’ visits to local NGOs, to interactive, impromptu testimonials from scholars who founded student clubs, planned fundraising events and interned at local and international institutions. Often, the same student’s hand would shoot up in the air multiple times, indicating that they have done all three of the above simultaneously.

The event also celebrated the winners of the USP Excellence Awards, which offer three in-kind gifts to outstanding students for them to use on a professional or academic growth endeavor. Majd El Fakih, a business major and the first-prize winner, plans to use his grant to become a certified financial analyst. Nour El Halabi, a communication arts major and the second-prize winner, will use hers for a series of hands-on workshops at the Lebanese Film Academy. The third-prize winner, banking and finance major Nivine Maghazlik, will put her award toward a series of French language courses.

“USP was a turning point in my life, because before that I didn’t have access to all the opportunities in Beirut,” said El Halabi, who was first put off by the large pile of applications, indicating how competitive the selection process was. As early as her first semester, the previously timid El Halabi started signing up to “literally everything that landed in my inbox” from workshops to volunteer work and internships. She went on to establish the Environment Club, which led a gamut of activities that gave back to remote villages, like hers, through reforestation initiatives.

For Samia, the USP students’ achievements are another example of “LAU living up, ad verbatim, to the letter and the spirit of its mission statement, which is commitment to academic excellence, student centeredness, civic engagement, the advancement of scholarship, the education of the whole person, and the formation of leaders in a diverse world.”

The USP student honorees with Elise Salem, Elie Samia as well as faculty and staff from the Outreach and CIvic Engagement Office.

Nour El Halabi, 2nd prize winner of the USP Excellence Awards receives her certificate from Elie Samia and Elise Salem.

LAU celebrated more than 300 members of the different university services departments at the annual Labor Day lunch earlier this month. Guests were joined by President Joseph G. Jabbra, Vice President for Human Resources and University Services Roy Majdalani, deans, executives, administrators and the human resources team and for dabkeh, singing, fine food and memorable moments. The annual event is one of many ongoing strategic HR initiatives to engage with and support university staff.

This year’s Labor Day lunch theme was Jam’etna w Btekbar Fina, which holds a double meaning that the university both unites and propels us forward together.

Nothing says united quite like the handholding required for the traditional Lebanese dabkeh. With live music playing, administrators and staff alike linked up on the dance floor, enjoying the jovial atmosphere.

In his address to the crowd, Jabbra said, “Every single member of the LAU family is key to the growth of the university. Without you, we cannot stand.”

Jabbra, Majdalani, and Assistant Vice President for HR Charbel Aoun presented certificates of appreciation and trophies to 17 staff members who have been working at LAU for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years. The certificate for 40 years of service went to Beirut campus-based Senior Network and Telecommunications Technician Madih Mushref. “I am so honored and happy to receive this,” Mushref said. He added that he was only 18 when he started working at LAU and to him, “it still feels like yesterday.”

Senior Foreman Nasri Tanios, who has worked at LAU for the past 30 years, proudly agreed. “It’s very rewarding to work here among kind colleagues and under a reputable administration. LAU is one of Lebanon’s best employers,” he said.

Tanios’ words reflect LAU’s mission of supporting its staff, which has led to its reputation as an employer of choice in the region.

In that spirit, staff members who were on duty at the time of the event were surprised with a special lunch and souvenirs delivered to them as a token of appreciation for their services.

As the festivities wound down, Jabbra thanked everyone for their years of dedication to the university. “Working hand in hand is one of the reasons behind LAU’s successes,” he declared.

On arrival, staff were treated to a selection of dried fruit.

President Jabbra, deans, and administrators cut the cake for the 300 plus staff members.

“Jam’etna w Btekbar Fina.”

Madih Mushref, honored for 40 years of service, started working at LAU when he was 18 years old.

Nasri Tanios receives a trophy and a certificate of appreciation for 30 years of service from President Jabbra and Roy Majdalani.

Nothing says ‘united,’ this year’s theme, quite like the handholding required for the traditional Lebanese dabkeh.

LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra is thrilled to announce the recipients of LAU honorary doctorates for the year 2018.

All three recipients have had full, successful careers during which they bettered their organizations, expanded their reach, and, most importantly, instilled cultures of caring, generosity and service within.

The first recipient, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, is chairman of the Amman, Jordan-based Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org). Partially raised in Lebanon, he began his career in accounting and intellectual property rights. Over the decades since he began, he has set up 140 professional service firms in the fields of management, consulting, legal services, IT and more. TAG-Org itself is a unique organization, a hybrid firm that is for-profit but whose mission is to “contribute to the socioeconomic development of the Arab world.”

Abu-Ghazaleh believes that the Arab world is blooming in different and exciting ways. “Today, Middle Eastern startups are overcoming cultural and other barriers to lead in various industries – mainly those based on technology – and many are succeeding.”

Indeed, he as always stressed on “the need to embrace technology because it is the path to a better future. Our young generation is making amazing approaches toward technology, and we should focus on that and give them the opportunity,” he said.

Abu-Ghazaleh has received numerous awards and honors for this work, including being appointed a member of the Upper House by Royal Decree from King Abdullah II of Jordan, Abu-Ghazaleh’s country of residence. He is also on the boards of over 50 international committees and is a major patron of the arts.

Pierre Choueiri began his career in the media as a junior sales executive after graduating from the American University of Beirut in 1988. He moved to Dubai in the early 1990s to oversee the growth of the Choueiri Group, a media representation company started by his father. During this period, Choueiri accelerated the group’s expansion across the region and across new domains, such as print, digital, radio, TV, apps, cinemas and even exhibition spaces.

The Choueiri Group is a market leader from the UAE to Morocco, and prides itself on its vision of excellence and its ability to exceed the expectations of its partners and clients. Choueiri credits the family spirit of the company with its success over the decades.

Choueiri commented on how the media can attract the best minds in order to expand and innovate. “I believe that by nurturing a knowledge-based approach to human resources, the media industry can secure a steady stream of groomed talent on the global, as well as local levels,” he said. “Media organizations must commit themselves to providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development in order to make the industry a breeding ground for the brightest minds.”

And on some of the rapid changes in the media that are transforming the way society communicates, such as social media, he said, “The region’s media industry has developed into a comprehensive eco-system, working to promote greater interaction and dialogue. We can rest assured that web-based technologies will succeed in connecting more people around the region to their needs and aspirations.”

For her part, Her Excellency Farah Daghistani has dedicated her life to development in the Middle East, particularly her home country of Jordan, where she heads the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD). She began pursuing her interest in human rights and development during her education, which took her to Harvard, Oxford and the London School of Economics. Over the past 20 years, she has worked within multiple frameworks to promote sustainable, rights-based human development initiatives in Jordan. “Gender equality, good governance and a rights-based approach continue to be central components of my vision for sustainable development,” Daghistani said.

She uses tried-and-true academic, policy-related and people-based approaches to her work. She has published widely in academic journals as well as in leading newspapers, and has spoken at a number of top universities and institutes across the world.

Optimistic about the energy of today’s youth, she said, “Young people are definitely the force of change in our region, with tremendous potential, possibly never seen by any other previous generations in terms of opportunities to learn, travel and work.”  

Still, she notes the role of universities like LAU in shaping tomorrow’s leaders, as young people “also face challenges and complexities possibly never encountered by previous generations to their identity and the rapid pace of change that will affect their lives.”  

“We make sure that every member of the LAU family embraces our mission of excellence, innovation and community,” said Jabbra. “Our 2018 honorary doctorates are champions of our goals, and we are proud to invite them into our family and for them to represent us in their critical work.”

The entire LAU family wishes to congratulate the three future doctors who will uphold LAU’s mission of excellence as they continue their visionary work. 

From left: Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Pierre Choueiri and Farah Daghistani.

Topping off a colorful week of workshops, performances, screenings, competitions and much more, the closing ceremony of Festival Next brought into the spotlight a renowned journalist, public figure and LAU alumna Rima Maktabi (BA ’00, MA ’03) last Friday at Gulbenkian Theatre.

Maktabi won the inaugural 2018 Communication Arts Alumni Award, in line with selection criteria that gave weight to innovation and women’s empowerment, according to Chairperson of the Communication Arts Department Jad Melki.

“Rima is a brave journalist – not just at the frontlines of the numerous wars she has reported on, but also across the table from the world leaders she has interviewed,” said Assistant Professor Claudia Kozman, who was also the MC at the event.

“I am proud to belong to this university and its student body,” said Maktabi, who shared valuable advice during her address to students, especially to aspiring female journalists. “Do not be fooled by sparkling images of women on screen – women in journalism face a long, bumpy road,” she declared, pointing out that despite the massive spread of social media, the same journalistic guiding principles apply: “accuracy, knowledge and truth are at the core; everything else is just an addition.”

Abdallah Al Khal, assistant vice president for alumni relations, joined Melki in presenting the award to Maktabi. Following the honoring, the closing ceremony featured a spectacular performance by musical group Fere’et Aa Nota. 

Rima Maktabi receives her award from Jad Melki (L) and Abdallah Al Khal.

From May 10 to 12, 1,550 high-school students led by 200 advisors from 87 schools attended the Global Classroom International (GCI) Model UN conference for high schoolers in New York City. Participating students hailed from China, Germany, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Qatar, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, and broadened their diplomatic horizons while gaining important leadership skills.

During the conference, students formed 16 committees and simulated the negotiation processes at the United Nations through discussing a wide range of global topics such as the legality of drones as weapons of war, election monitoring, greenhouse gas emissions and the 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge. These exercises allowed the students to cultivate qualities that exemplify great leaders, such as self-confidence, courage, empathy and humility.

“Young diplomats do learn, unlearn and re-learn throughout their lives. Model UN shuns and reduces cultural prejudices, broadens intellectual horizons and bestows leadership skills on the students of today and the decision makers, agenda setters and thought leaders of tomorrow,” said Elie Samia, assistant vice president for outreach and civic engagement for LAU’s Department of Student Development and Enrollment Management. “LAU’s partnership with United Nations Association-USA aims at expanding the reach of the GCI program to youth from all over the globe.”

GCI-Model UN is the flagship education program of the Lebanese American University. For the past three years, LAU has led GCI in New York City, which UNA-USA has operated since 1999.

The high schoolers had the chance to interact with key figures in the fields of diplomacy and international relations, including Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Economist in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Elliott Harris, Director of UNESCO NY Marie Paule Roudil, and Executive Director of World Health Organization-NY Nata Menabde.

Student leader Sangare Mati Brahima, a graduate from Alabama State University, has attended two GCI conferences. She says her first GCI experience impacted her tremendously, and she felt she needed to come back and participate again. Brahima felt that the simulation sessions were key because they offered real-life challenges that “stimulate the way we think and process information as far as creating innovative solutions through the way that the simulations are conducted with the students and the student leaders.”

Another student leader, Imran Ahmad Ali from Punjab, India, is a veteran of Model UN conferences. Ali has participated in over 62, first as a delegate and then as either a chair or a director of a committee. For him, these conferences offer skills that he can apply to his future career. He contended that it made it more likely for the high schoolers to imagine themselves as future leaders by “seeing yourself act as the person you wish to be in ten years,” he said.

Many of the delegates agreed. One delegate, Yoon-Jin Lee of GC Seoul High School in South Korea, wants to be a diplomat or lawyer. Lee shared that the “GCI Model UN is a unique and special experience that helps me gain problem-solving skills by seeing the world and the problems that it faces more objectively and critically.”   

Simulation programs such as GCI are part of the United Nations’ larger efforts to establish peace, to secure human rights, and to enable all people to live in dignity by imparting the UN culture to future generations.

Elie Samia held a seminar on global issues.

The Model UN conferences help equip students with the skills required to address global issues.

A total of 1,550 high-school students led by 200 advisors from 87 international schools attended the conference.

Over 1,900 middle- and high-school students flocked to both of LAU’s campuses in April for the Arts and Sciences Fair, a vigorous but fun competition that has taken place for the past 20 years on the Byblos campus and for five years on Beirut campus.

The fair invites school students to develop interest in, research, innovate and present an idea to be judged by LAU faculty for a chance to win a scholarship. Along the way, students get to discover new fields of study, expand knowledge of the ones they are already familiar with, and boost their collaboration and communication skills.

More than 80 schools took part in the event, which spanned two days in Byblos and one in Beirut. The fair was organized in close collaboration with over 35 faculty members from LAU’s different schools.

The Byblos campus chose the artistic legacy of the Rahbani Brothers as its fair’s theme. Students were asked to incorporate, where possible, a nod to the legacy of the Lebanese artists. Projects covered mechatronics, web development and robotics, sculpture, public speaking, poetry, and recycling, to name a few. In this spirit, composer Oussama Rahbani, son of Mansour Rahbani, joined students, winners’ parents and LAU faculty at the awards ceremony on April 21, where he was presented with an honorary trophy by Dean of Students Makram Ouaiss.

In his speech, Rahbani reminded attendees of how art has always played an integral role in bringing Lebanese together. “The Rahbani Brothers fostered national unity, despite Lebanon’s tough times,” he said. “It’s now up to us to safeguard this message of hope for the generations to come.”

Ouaiss agreed, pointing out that “LAU, for two decades, has been the proud host of the Arts and Sciences Fair, a platform that enables, encourages and celebrates students’ creativity from all over Lebanon.”

While all participants got certificates, first- and second-place winners received prizes, medals and trophies. Four students whose projects were deemed outstanding by LAU faculty were awarded 25 percent scholarships each. In the sciences category, Karim Haffar from Rawdat Al Fayhaa Secondary School won the physics photo contest, while Amine Mrad from Antonine Sisters School won for his project on a remote-controlled sumo wrestling competition. In the arts category, Farah Bouzerdan from Saint Joseph School won for her English essay, and Razan Darwish from LWIS-City International School for her drawing project. 

On Beirut campus, the competition was equally exciting. The campus was alive with dozens of school students going in and out of workshops, huddling together for last-minute presentation rehearsals or catching a quick bite between sessions. 

Toward the end of the day, participation certificates were awarded to all students, and first-, second- and third-place winners were awarded medals. The two winners of the day received 50 percent LAU scholarships each: Nadia Manasfi from Hariri High School II for the sciences award, and Amer Abou Shakra from Universal College Aley for the arts award.

Saint Joseph School won school of the year for the arts and sciences competition in Byblos. In Beirut, Hariri High School II earned the sciences competition award, and Universal College Aley won the arts competition.

The winners pose with their certificates at the Selina Korban Auditorium on Byblos campus.

Ouaiss presents Ossama Rahbani with an honorary trophy at the Awards Ceremony on Byblos campus.

Students display their healthy recipes and bite-sized treats for passersby to sample on Beirut campus.

High-school students anxiously wait as their project is put to the test on Byblos campus.

High-school students rejoice when their robotics project works as planned.

While LAU prides itself on being a student-centered institution, it also recognizes the role of its employees in driving its success.

In that spirit, LAU leadership hosted a festive end-of-the-year celebration to show its appreciation for its committed personnel.

Cameras clicked to capture the moment each member of the LAU community was greeted by LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra and the university’s vice presidents at Beirut Seaside Pavilion on Saturday night. Once gathered, the guests were ushered to tables decked with flower arrangements, and treated to live music and a delectable four-course meal.

Jabbra took the stage to thank LAU’s deans, vice presidents, provost, faculty and staff for all their hard work over the academic year. “This evening was created by you, by your spirit that makes this university so distinguished. We are gathered here, the LAU family, to celebrate the achievements that all of us have accomplished this past academic year.”

He also introduced two surprise guests: esteemed member of the Board of Trustees Mona Nehmé and LAU President Emeritus Riyad Nassar, and expressed his gratitude for the forces that “keep us together, providing us with that unique spirit that animates the institution.”

Living up to Jabbra’s words, the guests were quick to create a lively ambiance, mingling in between courses, and taking to the packed dance floor. 

When asked about the university as an employer, Director of Athletics on Byblos campus Joe Moujaes said, “LAU is a great place to be and always encourages staff to be their best so that we can serve our students.”

That is because LAU values its employees, affirmed Vice President for Human Resources and University Services Roy Majdalani, whose department played a major role in organizing the celebration. “Just as we are student-centered, we are also faculty- and staff-centered. We care about people, we work with them, we develop them, we give constant feedback, and we make sure the right people are in the right places.” 

He noted the importance of training and development at LAU as well as the establishment of a relations department to ensure that employees are engaged and motivated, "because productivity doesn’t happen by accident – people have to be satisfied to produce.” 

LAU also takes pains to make sure that all groups have a full voice at the university. “LAU is a school with a rich history of equality and empowerment for women and girls,” said Lina Abirafeh, director of the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW). “LAU continues to make great strides for women as a pioneer for academic knowledge and activist action for women and on gender equality. We, at the institute, look forward to seeing LAU as an unparalleled center of gender excellence in the region!” 

The evening concluded with wishes for a replenishing summer session and another successful academic year.

The band leader captures the festive crowd on the dance floor.

The signature of every successful party, our traditional dabke.

The photobooth of the 21st century, the Selfie Mirror Booth, complete with props for variety.

Joe and Nayla Moujaes.

From left: Member of the Board of Trustees Mona Nehmé, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Tony Zreik, and Mrs Abou Rjeily.

From left: Vice President for Human Resources and University Services Roy Majdalani, Provost George K. Najjar, Dean of the Gilbert & Rose-Marie School of Medicine Dr. Michel Mawad, and President Emeritus Riyad Nassar.

LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra thanked LAU’s deans, vice presidents, provost, faculty and staff for all their hard work over the academic year.

The students lined up, chatting enthusiastically, barely containing their excitement. The parents found their places and waited in anticipation. The professors brimmed with pride as their students were honored at the School of Arts and Sciences’ 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony this month in Irwin Hall Auditorium. A similar ceremony was held at the Byblos campus.

The awards were given for excellence in nine categories to students in SAS’s seven departments: highest GPA for non-graduating students, best capstone projects, best discipline-related community service, best program related volunteer service, best student innovation, best undergraduate scientific research, best improvement in GPA, best creative writing, and recognition of students who won awards at regional or international competitions.

“While the university recognizes the achievements of its honor students based on their GPA, we at the School of Arts and Sciences have decided to also recognize students for their efforts to improve, for their services to the community and to the university on top of their academic achievements,” Assistant Dean Samer Habre said at the beginning of the ceremony.

Addressing the students, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Nashat Mansour said: “I take this opportunity to thank the faculty for doing their best to provide our precious students with an excellent education, to thank our staff for their tireless efforts to support the educational process, and, I underline, to thank the parents, who make a lot of sacrifices to educate their daughters and sons.”

Mansour underlined that education was not only a means for employment. “Be the leaders and the critical thinkers who will firmly stand against tribalism and sectarianism. Be the leaders who will lead in advocating and building a citizen-based state and citizen-based society.”  

One by one, and to cheers from the packed auditorium, each student received the award from the chairpersons of the departments and program coordinators.

The ceremony came a few days after graduating students from SAS’ seven departments presented their capstone projects and senior presentations in Beirut and Byblos.

Nutrition students Taima Bountoktzi, Antonella Karam, Roza Talabany and Vanessa Moussa won best capstone project from the Nutrition Program for their project, titled “Effects of Social Media Use in Body Image and Eating Behavior in Pregnant Women.”

“Since we know that social media is negatively affecting the nutritional intake of people, we wanted to look into pregnant women specifically,” said Bountoktzi.

Through their study, the young women checked the dietary intake of 110 pregnant women and asked them how confident they were about their body image.

“We noticed that they were aware of eating healthy. But they were mainly worried about getting back to their pre-pregnant weight,” a concern, the study found, that was increased by social media pressure.

Education graduate Lara Khoury, who also had the highest GPA in her class, won one of the awards for best capstone project, in which she investigated why university students switch majors.

The ultimate objective behind the study was to “suggest some solutions in order to decrease confusion and guide them through the process of major changing,” she said.  

Among the reasons, she found, were low grades, which students “link to their abilities. They think that if they get low grades, they are not competent enough,” she said. Family pressure was another factor, in addition to “interest mismatch.”

Khoury recommends that universities or schools introduce preparatory courses for students to complete before choosing a major.

One of the Computer Science program’s winning capstone projects was by Omar Farhat, whose project, “UAVS for Rescue and Disaster Management: A Practical Approach for Accurately Localizing Survivors and Helping Them,” aims at saving lives in a disaster situation or when vehicles are unable to reach a destroyed area. “The purpose is to send drones, as an alternative to sending cars,” Farhat said. “Just by sending drones you can locate the users and find a path.”

These students, along with the day’s other award winners, beamed as they stood before a cheering crowd, ready to move on to their next big celebration: their commencement in June.

Translation capstone: Takla Al Katoul Al Rahbani.

Psychology capstone: Maram Kamar.

Winners of the Best Capstone Project in Nutrition: Roza Talabany, Antonella Karam, Taima Bountoktzi and Vanessa Moussa.

Computer Science and Mathematics department project by Charbel Hanna.

The students honored at the ceremony with Dean Nashat Mansour and Chairperson of the Department of Communications Arts Jad Melki (C).

Byblos may be ancient, but the Cardahi family has breathed new life into the city through their partnership with LAU. The family gathered with LAU officials, local dignitaries and members of the community on Tuesday, May 15 to celebrate the inauguration of the LAU Louis Cardahi Foundation at the St. Jean-Marc Church in the historic city.

The foundation became an LAU entity after a generous donation by the Cardahi family in 2013. Since then, under the supervision of the foundation’s Governing Board and with the collaboration of the Municipality of Byblos, the Cardahi Museum – a historic, Ottoman-style house right on the bay – has been renovated and is now open to the public.

The museum is stocked with historical artifacts (many of which are part of Louis Cardahi’s personal collection), iPads showing documentary films and pictures, a library with over 1,500 works charting the evolution of Byblos, the Umayyad Exhibit, and a multi-function room with a painting collection by famed Byblos native Joseph Matar.

During his opening speech, LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra memorialized the late Louis Cardahi, who dedicated his life to the success of Byblos, the city he loved. Cardahi was active in the city, co-founding the Cultural Council of the Jbeil Region, and initiating and financing the first secondary school in Byblos in the 1960s. Jabbra noted that through the establishment of the foundation, Louis Cardahi’s family has continued his goals of educating youth, making Byblos a United Nations World Heritage Site, and promoting knowledge of the city’s culture and history.

Jabbra emphasized that LAU stands within the community, contributing to and participating in the growth and development of Byblos. He noted that it is for this reason that the Cardahi family entrusted the foundation to LAU, knowing that it would continue the work started by Louis Cardahi.

Addressing the family, Jabbra said, “LAU is committed to carrying the torch that you got from [Louis Cardahi] and you gave to us; it is a gift that we will continue to cherish.”

Jean-Louis Cardahi, former Lebanese minister of parliament and son of Louis Cardahi, told the crowd at the event that the foundation is centered on the individual: “It is our hope that the foundation will contribute to the advancement of the [Lebanese] citizen and develop the citizen in his knowledge.”

For Rachid Chamoun, foundation director and interim chair of LAU’s Department of Architecture and Interior Design, “The role of the foundation is to carry on the vision of the founders and treasure this beautiful stone house and its grounds overlooking Byblos, the long-lived city, whose historic evolution is the foundation’s focus.”

In collaboration with local partners including the Municipality of Byblos, the Safadi Foundation, the Lebanese Syndicate of Tourism, and the Lebanese Ministry of Culture, the foundation promotes, sustains and endorses cultural tourism sectors, as well as social and economic benefits for the interactive network of historical cities of Lebanon.

The foundation’s international partners were represented at the event by Juan Miguel Cid Muñoz, who is the public relations, culture, and communications director of the Mediterranean Rim Countries of the El Legado Andalusi. Working jointly, they have undertaken three major projects funded by the European Union focusing on the Umayyad Route, the Phoenician Route, and the War-Free World Heritage Listed Cities.

In addition, the ceremony recognized the Cardahi family’s longtime friend and local priest, Frère André, whose support was instrumental in establishing the foundation. The Cardahi family presented Frère André with a replica of the first coin that was minted in Byblos – the emblem of the foundation itself.

Guests were invited to tour the foundation’s facilities and museum, followed by a reception in the church courtyard.

Rachid Chamoun gives the guests a tour of the museum.

The guests included the Cardahi family, LAU officials, local dignitaries and members of the community.

Jean-Louis Cardahi expressed his hope that the foundation will contribute to the advancement of the Lebanese citizen.

Frère André was presented with a replica of the first coin that was minted in Byblos – the emblem of the foundation itself. Pictured here with President Jabbra, Jean-Louis Cardahi and Rachid Chamoun.

More than 300 LAU alumni, faculty and staff joined HR representatives from top companies last week on Beirut campus for the Alumni Business Networking Reception.

The event, now in its 12th year, was organized by the Alumni Relations Office in collaboration with the Dean of Students Offices. It aimed to allow alumni to explore new job opportunities and career paths, for employers to meet potential hires, and for the university’s leadership to learn straight from employers what they are looking for and how LAU can best prepare graduates for the current job market.

“LAU students have been doing extremely well, not only for their expertise but also for their commitment to the companies they work for,” said LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra. “They are hard working and are true agents of change.” However, he noted, with what experts call the Fourth Industrial Revolution, LAU is working to ensure new graduates are equipped with skills that can translate into a completely different job market.

These modern challenges were precisely the focus of a discussion titled Bridging the Generation Gap at the Workplace: an HR Perspective, which was moderated by LAU Vice President for HR and University Services Roy Majdalani.

Kicking off the panel, he spoke extensively about the coming loss of jobs related to automation. Between now and the year 2050, he pointed out, “half of all current jobs will disappear.” Thankfully, he noted, “There is a culture of self-assessment at LAU that allows us to offer programs that are catering to the market, which is in line with our student-centered approach.”

During the ensuing discussion, the panelists considered that younger workers who have been entering the workforce for the last decade (generation Y or millennials) as favoring prompt gratification, communication and feedback, and preferring less hierarchical structures.

George Saab, senior partner at Knowledge Development Company, said there may be a misalignment between older managers and young people in the workplace, which is a challenge for both parties. It is crucial for all generations to adjust to it for the sake of progress.

“The way they communicate is instant and now,” said Akram Zuhairi, co-founder and corporate affairs director of Integrated Pharma Solutions Group. “They want dialogue and continuous feedback, at least on a monthly basis.”

The panelists agreed that workplaces could benefit from different perspectives, goals and skillsets, even from workers with far less office experience.

“Millennials are the pioneers of IT in Lebanon,” said Hala Morcos, human resources manager at Information Technology Group, noting that tech is becoming increasingly integral across all sectors. “We’re convincing people to use technology, but we’re not convinced of it ourselves. We’re not able to keep up with changes.”

According to Grace Dagher, associate professor of management at LAU’s Adnan Kassar School of Business, “For all of us managers and employees, the only constant is change. We need to be up to date with changes,” she said, pointing out that by 2025, it is predicted that around 75 percent of the workforce will be from the generation born between the 1980s and early 90s – and younger.

Attendees appreciated the importance of the event for shedding light on different aspects of the modern workplace and for providing a chance to network. “I got the chance to meet not only former classmates but also current faculty members,” said alumna Hamsa Moubayed, (BS ’09, MBA ’13), who works at LAU’s Continuing Education Program. “It was great to see how each one of us took a different path using the education we got from LAU. It was also an enriching experience to discuss the unique accomplishments of each other knowing that we come from different backgrounds.’’

For HR Senior Manager at DHL Express Lebanon Jina Awkar, “I came to this event for the panel discussion because of the caliber of the speakers. I also came to network with alumni, because LAU graduates are really great.” She says her company regularly gets new employees by checking the LAU Career Portal. They are very reliable, she said, and committed to strong work.

An informal reception after the discussion gave participants the opportunity to socialize and network.

The thought-provoking discussion invited questions from the audience.

The panel from left: George Saab, Hala Morcos, Roy Majdalani (moderator), Grace Dagher and Akram Zouheiri.

Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Abdallah Al Khal addresses the audience.

LAU’s athletes came out in force on May 13 for the LAU Alumni Athletics Day. Teams made up of former varsity players squared off on Beirut campus for games of basketball, football, volleyball, handball, tennis and table tennis.

Around 150 alumni athletes attended the event, which expanded this year from just basketball to include other sports. Many brought their spouses and children with them, creating a family-like atmosphere.

During the event, the Athletics Department and Alumni Relations Office honored varsity players who represented Lebanon in national and international events after graduation and handed out medals to participants “to show that there are no winners or losers between LAU Beirut and Byblos campuses,” said Athletics Coordinator Mohamad Mawas. “After all, it’s one LAU, one team, and everyone is a winner at LAU.”

“LAU belongs to you,” Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Abdallah Al Khal told the crowd. “It’s your home, and your place to come back to and build on.”

Sirine Srouji (BS ’04), who now works as a design teacher at Rafik Hariri University said, “It was a really good event, and a great chance to see our teammates we used to play with and meet the new athletes playing for LAU.”

For Dubai-based architect Tarek Hajj (BS ’00), “The event was really nice. I hope it continues every year. I’m committed to coming back!”

The tournament was an important way for the Alumni Relations Office to reach out to graduates in a different way. While the office regularly works to keep alumni connected through events such as class reunions, lectures and networking gatherings, over the past couple of years it has also been reaching out to alumni based on their affinity, said Al Khal. “Athletes’ affinity with each other, their coaches, the gymnasium and the games was a major factor in the success of Alumni Athletics Day,” he added.

For Director of Athletics-Byblos Joe Moujaes, the event was a great way to catch up with LAU’s former star athletes. “What is better than bringing our pride back to compete for us?” he said. “Our alumni athletes, especially those who won the collegiate championship for LAU, deserve to be recognized.”

Organizers are planning on making the event an annual occurrence that will include even more alumni and add activities for players and for kids. “It was definitely a success and such an event is worth building on,” Mawas said.

A group of players, friends and family.

A fun, family-friendly atmosphere prevailed.

One of the alumni athletics teams.

Some alumni athletes brought their children with them creating a family atmosphere.

The Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) is excited to launch a Master of Science in Human Resources Management in Fall 2018. The degree aims to take HR professionals beyond office work and make a profound impact on the lives of the people in organizations. The master’s will provide graduates with extensive knowledge of HR-management strategies to promote organizational performance in a diversified landscape. At the end of the program, graduates will have developed a thorough understanding of challenges and trends in the field, as well as solutions to modern management problems.

“The MS in HR Management is a high-impact program that not only adds value to AKSOB’s academic portfolio, but also impacts the professional world,” said AKSOB Dean Said Ladki.

“We are in contact with the industry, so we know that there’s a need in companies today to build a productive workforce and a gap in such knowledge in the market,” said Assistant Professor of Management Hussein Ismail. “HR has changed over the past 15 years or so. Today there is a trend in the field toward motivation and talent management,” he added. By espousing new movements in the industry, the program will form professionals who can make an impact on organizations in any field.

The program is open to applicants who have bachelor degrees in relevant business field, for example, marketing or finance, as well as graduates or professionals from other disciplines such as engineering. It also appeals to current professionals for its compact curriculum, which takes only one year to complete rather than up to two for similar programs at other institutions.

Moreover, the program’s curriculum includes learning on ethics, something that employers increasingly view as an asset. “During their course of studies, students will learn how to make proper ethical decisions following the general social and legal framework through case studies, learning methodologies and supervised independent research,” said Silva Karkoulian, chairperson of the Department of Management Studies. “AKSOB works to develop ethically responsible professionals who are committed to civic engagement and to economic development in Lebanon and the region.”

“Students are expected to conduct basic or applied research to either add value to the existing body of knowledge or solve a complex problem,” added Ladki.

The program has been registered under Charter Number 39240 with New York State Education Department.

With this new academic offering, LAU is giving current and future students the opportunity to advance in their fields and diversify their portfolios, in line with what the Third Strategic Plan was developed to accomplish.

The historic Phoenician sea route got a highly anticipated revival on Sunday. Sailing across the coastline from the ancient port in Byblos to Beirut’s Zaitounay Bay was the world’s first upcycled replica of a Phoenician trade ship, called a trireme, built mostly out of plastic bottles by LAU and high-school students in partnership with Lebanese environmental NGO Chreek, and with the support of municipalities, businesses, NGOs, communities and schools.

“Upcycling is the only hope for Lebanon’s garbage problem,” shouted Chreek CEO George Ghafari from on board the trireme as it neared its docking spot in Zaitounay Bay. Dozens of people cheered the ship’s arrival, including LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra, Dean of Students on Byblos campus Makram Ouaiss, Assistant Dean of the School of Engineering Barbar Akle, environmental activists, members of the Lebanese press, as well as passersby, young and old, who gathered to witness the extraordinary sight.

“When we join hands to get something done, we can do the impossible,” said Byblos Campus Activities Associate Manager Alan Kairouz, who managed the project. He thanked all the different entities that took part, and pointed out that the project’s success is proof that the Lebanese can work together to save the environment, adding that "it is our duty to work for future generations."

It took months to gather 50,000 bottles from municipalities, schools, NGOs, businesses and the LAU community. The ship, which stretches 13 meters in length and four meters in width, took five months to build, with over 350 volunteers – including LAU students, faculty and staff, school students and scouts – working during weekends and holidays. LAU’s School of Engineering worked on the design, ensured buoyancy and conducted safety tests, while the Communication Arts Department filmed construction from start to finish.

Jabbra declared LAU the “innovation institution par excellence,” encouraging Lebanese leaders to pay attention to the hard work that young people have put into achieving the impossible. He went on to salute the students who saw a problem, thought of a creative solution and put it into action. He also thanked those who helped along the way, from the Lebanese Civil Defense to the Red Cross and Chreek, as well as every institution and young person who took part in this project.

Akle offered a behind-the-scenes look at how the project was designed. “A group of mechanical engineering students, led by fresh graduate Rifaat Sarout, carefully designed and built the ship, making sure that it could handle rough waves through a series of tests.” He added that the students were careful to not let any bottle go to waste in the process.

Three hours before the ship’s arrival in Beirut, its launch was celebrated at the historic port of Byblos, where people gathered to witness the event, including Ali Samad, a delegate from the Ministry of Culture, Byblos Mayor Wissam Zaarour, Head of the Marine Rescue Unit at the Lebanese Civil Defense Samir Yazbeck, as well as Ghafari, Jabbra and a group of LAU faculty, staff and students.

LAU’s own recently inaugurated Louis Cardahi Foundation offered information about the ancient route that the Phoenicians’ triremes traveled along the coast, one of many examples of how the different supporting entities came together to truly “revive our heritage while protecting our environment.”

The trireme will be put on display at Beirut’s Martyr Square starting May 21 to spread the message of environmental sustainability.

The project was a collaboration between LAU, environmental NGO Chreek and others

The trireme docks in Beirut’s Zaitounay Bay

Passengers speak to the media onboard the trireme

The trireme was pulled by a small tugboat to guide it to Zaitounay Bay

The trireme as it disembarks from Byblos port