Back in 1964, Yeprem Chakardemian―inspired by a bracelet his mother had given him―opened a small jewelry store in Beirut to uplift the family’s dire economic situation. Years on, the business now boasts boutiques around the world, with Yeprem creations worn by celebrities like Madonna, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Fergie on the red carpet.

The boom came after his daughter Virna Chakardemian, a straight-A student enrolled in interior design at LAU, concluded her studies in 2000 and teamed up with her two brothers, revolutionizing the family business. Thanks to their father’s expertise and the modern outlook brought by the new generation, the team started looking at jewelry from an entirely new perspective.

Yeprem’s designs do not abide by conventional categories. Original and unique, some items combine rings with bracelets, such as a hand adornment that snakes from the wrist to the finger and that can be adjusted by virtue of a combination of movable pieces. One of their most iconic creations is the Claw, a cluster of diamond petals which threads through the fingers and extends to the palm.

The possibility of ordering bespoke designs is a big attraction to their customers. “Our clients want to distinguish themselves and wear something new,” says Chakardemian. “We give them something that complements their look.”

Yeprem gained popularity when Charles Aznavour began wearing their khachkar cross from a line of gold and diamond jewelry designed for the Armenian market. “From there, we expanded to the U.S. and international stars started noticing us,” says Chakardemian.

Influenced by her architectural studies, her first jewelry pieces had a very geometrical form. “I then learned how to combine this with softer shapes that complement a woman’s feminine sensuality,” the designer says. “However, this architectural approach stayed with me. Thanks to my studies I was able to have a wider perspective, which makes it easier to focus on the details.”

Still attached to her alma mater, Chakarmedian did not hesitate to give a presentation earlier this year within the framework of the fashion marketing course held by Professor Mona Mrad. “The presentation showed students that one can start with a very small investment and from a very small country and can still become an internationally successful brand,” says Mrad. “After hearing this story, some students were highly motivated to initiate or to move on with business ideas they had in the field of fashion.”  

Marketing student Nader Ghaziri is currently running his own brand, Morion, through an Instagram platform. “I was working on a new concept in the jewelry field and I was inspired by Yeprem in terms of strategy and jewelry engineering,” says Ghaziri. “This project made me want to study this market and its competitors in depth.”

Equally inspirited was his colleague Ali Shall. “The right mentality is not setting yourself any limits, but expanding carefully while maintaining high quality and standards,” he notes before admitting that after the talk he has decided to start his own business, named Ciaociaofashion.

Jennifer Lopez wearing one of Yeprem’s creations.

The Chakardemian children proudly follow the footsteps of their father.

Virna Chakardemian graduated from LAU in 2000.

In a tense regional geopolitical context, 67 youngsters from 11 different MENA countries were brought together last weekend with the common goal of becoming community, business and national leaders of a future they hope will be more peaceful and promising.

The 15 new recruits of the LAU-Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders program (LAU-MEPI TL)―administered by LAU’s University Enterprise Office (UEO)―bonded with the 52 current students and administrators of the program during a three-day retreat organized in Ehden.

“This program transcends gender, countries and cultures. Every year I am impressed by the transformation of the students who are gaining so much wisdom and self-awareness,” stated UEO Director Walid Touma.

Now in its ninth year, the LAU-MEPI TL program provides higher education opportunities to underprivileged youth from around the Arab world who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential.

The U.S. embassy’s MEPI coordinator, George Aldridge, who attended the retreat said that “many of the students asked, ‘Is there a safe zone for me to go back to after I graduate?’.” The present conditions have created a palpable sense of frustration for the scholars, many of whom have left their families in war-torn countries. Aldridge acknowledged that their predicaments  touched him deeply, before suggesting that “in the cases where some cannot easily return to their countries, there is still community work they can do from outside.”  He recommended that the LAU-MEPI TL scholars consider, for example, “joining an international organization or supporting indirectly the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.”

When psychology major Larissa Kassis, 20, left her native Syria, her English was elementary. In less than two years, she has learned to speak it fluently. “LAU-MEPI TL gave me the opportunity I needed to start my journey,” she enthused. Fellow student Kaies Ben Mariem, 22, from Tunisia, who is majoring in marketing with a minor in psychology noticed a significant change in his self-awareness and confidence during his time at LAU where, he said, “students are treated with respect and the faculty listens to us and our ideas.” For Lybian Rawand Haress, 20, a TV and film major, LAU was initially just another institution until he realized it had much more to offer. “It has taught me a lot about myself and also about the other MENA countries.”

More than an academic experience, the university affords students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including community engagement, a component where MEPI-TL students usually excel. “The program and the circumstances of their home countries push these students to give. They have so much to offer,” says professor Marwan Rowayheb, also student initiative coordinator of the program. During their years at the university, notes instructor Reine Azzi, student communications and activities coordinator of the program, the scholars’ untapped abilities come to the fore. “These students are powerhouses of emotions, ideas and they challenge all stereotypes.”

The pressing need for reform in the region is best addressed by educating future generations, according to Dr. Touma, “We are doing the right thing empowering and teaching the new generations of the MENA region ... This program is the oxygen to equip our youth to effect change.”

To break the ice between participants, the weekend was filled with interactive and challenging group activities.

New recruits, current students, faculty members as well as administrators from both the MEPI and LAU side took advantage of the retreat to get to know each other better.

The administrators encouraged the students to share different aspects of their academic and community engagement experience.

The blazing temperatures of Beirut’s summer did not put off the LAU students taking part in the “Unleash Your Creativity” competition, launched by the Fernand Hosri Group. The contestants from six Lebanese universities, divided into 50 teams, worked on conceiving an innovative marketing campaign for one of the group’s products, the Fisherman’s Friend strong menthol candy.

LAU students enrolled in the Integrated Marketing Communications course, held this summer by Professor Joelle Majdalani Hachem, comprised three groups, two of which made it to the semifinals and bagged the Building Capacity Award, instituted by the Ministry of Labor.

“Everything I was teaching I referred back to the project, so that the theoretical approach became practical,” says Hachem. “The students had only one month to complete the project but they were very motivated and it was a huge success.”

The CSR initiative launched by the Hosri Group is part of the UN Global Compact initiative, aimed at encouraging businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. “LAU students have done a great job in a very hard competition,” says Paula Atallah, senior marketing officer with the Hosri Group. “They presented great ideas and will surely be approached for future projects.”

The participating groups received coaching and a certificate that, together with the mention of the award, will enrich their CVs with tangible proof of their hard work.

“This was more than just a class project as we were given training and a qualification,” says Anas Ghattas, a senior year student in Marketing and Hospitality. His team worked on developing a vending machine that dispenses Fisherman’s Friend sample products in exchange for a picture of the recipient, which is then automatically uploaded to the Fisherman’s Friend Facebook page.

“We wanted a campaign that was fun and entertaining but also had a social media component,” says Ghattas. “We then had to present our idea to the Hosri Group in a persuasive way in just fifteen minutes. As they taught us, telling is not selling.”

LAU student Nouran Harfouche’s team chose to work on a bus that would carry Fisherman’s Friends products round different university campuses, its colorfulness representing the different types of candies available. “I am a communications student, and working with marketing students taught me to take budget into consideration,” says Harfouche. “This will be a precious skill when, hopefully one day, I produce my own film.”

The semi-finalist group: (from left) Anas Ghattas, Rassil Tamim, Abdel Rahman el Naamani.

“LAU taught me to work hard to make my artistic vision a reality, no matter what stands in my way,” says Itany who received the Best Documentary Award at the Lebanese Film Festival in Beirut in June. The documentary ‘Twice upon a Time’ was also chosen, together with two  other films, as a “Screening not to be missed” at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

When Itany joined LAU in 1997, she chose the institution for its leading role in offering Communication Arts as a major. Today, 16 years after her graduation, she retains fond memories of the professors in her Film and Theatre classes. “Assad Fouladkar, Dima Dabbous, Lina Abyad and Mona Knio―I still have beautiful friendships with them.” When her documentary premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Professor Fouladkar, who happened to be there, attended the screening. “I knew he would be very busy but during the Q&A session, I saw my professor in the audience and I was the happiest person in the world.”

For Georges Barbari, who graduated in 2014 in Communications and Art with an emphasis in Media and TV, recognition of his talent came quickly. He directed the short fiction film ‘A Time in a Life’ which won the Golden Apple Award 2016 for Best Cinematography at the Cinemaiyat Festival together with Hasan Salame, also an LAU alumnus. Originally from Batroun, Barbari, who wrote the script, wanted to show his town through the eyes of a fisherman at the end of the civil war.

LAU, he maintains, provided him with the basic skills he needed to become a successful filmmaker. His experience at the university was enhanced by the fact that the department was small at the time which allowed for one-on-one attention from the faculty. Describing his impressions when he registered to compete at the film festival he says, “I felt that regardless of the result, my work was solid.”

Not only that, but Barbari has an old professor to thank for the Award which was made possible through the collaboration of cinematographer Salame. “It was Professor Tony Farjallah who introduced me to Hasan, and it was the best decision I ever made to work with him. Half the scenes were shot by the sea which was quite difficult and Hasan captured them beautifully,” explains Barbari.

In Itany’s case, while it took persistence and determination to overcome the obstacles faced by independent filmmakers in Lebanon today, the bonds she forged at LAU continue to play a significant role in her career. “I can still count on my university network and resources when I need help. LAU students, faculty and staff have always come through for me.” 

Sama Sleiman began looking into the benefits of physical exercise back in 2014, while teaching at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Her aim was to synthesize the beneficial neurological effects of the BDNF protein into a pill that could be taken by those who are unable to exercise. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein ― also known as ‘Miracle-Gro’ for its role in the growth of nerve cells ― is naturally produced by the body during physical activity.

“Scientists have long tried to administer the BDNF protein into the brains of animals, but they have not found an effective way to make the brain absorb it,” she explains. What she set out to do instead was to study the mechanism which triggers the natural production of BDNF and create a pharmaceutical drug that stimulates its natural creation.

Sleiman has since brought her research to Lebanon, where she received the full support of LAU as well as assistance from NYU, Cornell University and a grant from the National Council for Scientific Research-Lebanon (CNRS-L). Three master’s students in molecular biology have been actively involved in conducting lab experiments and have contributed to the paper, published in eLife.

By monitoring the biological mechanism taking place in mice while exercising on the wheel, the team has successfully unraveled the mystery behind the production of BDNF.

Among the key findings of the research is a ketone body called beta-hydroxybutrate (BHB), which is produced by the liver and is responsible for activating the BDNF gene to produce more of its protein.

The next step will be aimed at identifying all the molecules which, together with BHB, will be combined into a pharmaceutical product that stimulates cognitive improvement and the alleviation of depression and anxiety.

“I feel very privileged to have been able to work on this paper in collaboration with universities abroad,” says Lauretta El Hayek. “I am so passionate about research because I believe this is the key to progress, especially in a country where neurological diseases are still taboo. It was a great experience to be involved in this project and to feel like I am contributing something to the world.”

Her colleague Edwina Tony Abou Haidar intends to take the research a step further in her master’s thesis. “I am now combining different diets with exercise to investigate how the former affects the latter,” she says. “We are having promising results and I hope to publish my paper soon.” Abou Haidar plans to apply for a Ph.D. and ― thanks to the hands-on research opportunities she had at LAU ― to present her candidature having already published in a scientific journal.

Aside from the research, what Rami al Haddad found greatly inspirational was the relationship that the students established with their tutor. “Dr. Sleiman was a role model for me in her research skills and analytical thinking,” he says. “My future plan is ultimately to have my own lab, and the research I am conducting now is allowing me to build the necessary skills and knowledge to do so.” 

Alumni and friends of LAU in North America gathered at New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Club on September 9 to enjoy a festive evening in support of LAU’s Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW).  

During the course of the evening, the 150 plus guests had the chance to learn more about the organization they were benefitting through a video message from IWSAW’s indefatigable director Lina Abirafeh, who was in Brazil attending The Association for Women's Rights in Development conference. They also watched a short film detailing the diverse work the institute carries out in education, research, development, outreach and LAU engagement.

"We hope you will do your part to support the institute as allies, advocates and ambassadors. We are counting on you," Abirafeh said.

The New York Gala started in 2010 as an occasion to honor the Lebanese for their public service. This year’s honorees included mezzo-soprano opera singer Rosalind Elias, Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Joseph Maroun.

In a soulful speech about her determination to succeed, Elias brought the audience to tears.

“As a little girl doing my chores, I would always listen to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio and fantasize that I was on stage,” she told a captivated audience. “I was the thirteenth child in my family, my mother never spoke English, my father was from the ‘dayaa’ (village) and thought that any woman who went on stage was a bad woman.” Elias went on to give 690 performances at the Met, win three Grammys and two Emmys.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel, the son of Lebanese immigrants, grew up in a small town in upstate New York, with little connection to Lebanon. As a child, he started a business shining shoes, charging a quarter a shine. That work ethic led him to a successful career in Washington D.C. as a government servant.

“We must work together in service of each other,” emphasized Gabriel. “Almost everybody in this room could be up here. Many of us come from humble backgrounds and now we must give to others … for it is in giving that we receive."

In between dinner courses, attendees were treated to musical performances from renowned tenor Amine J. Hachem, accompanied by pianist Brian Holman. Rita Zihenni took on the role of master of ceremonies and even sang phrases from songs by the famous Lebanese diva Fairuz at LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra’s request.

In the spirit of supporting the women’s institute, Jabbra reminded the audience of LAU’s founder, American missionary Sarah Huntington Smith, and her commitment to educating young women. Smith founded the American School for Girls in 1835, which would go on to become LAU.

“The first year she had three female students, and that institution began to grow, and now LAU is a major powerhouse,” he said. “She was animated by a unique spirit, a spirit of giving to others so that others may have an education and a rich and bountiful life.”

From left: President Jabbra, Honoree Ambassador Edward M Gabriel, BOT Chairman George Faris and Ambassador Frank Wisner.

Honoree Rosalind Elias receives the Sarah Huntington Smith Award from BOT Chairman George Faris and President Jabbra.

Honoree Joseph Maroun receives the Sarah Huntington Smith Award from BOT Chairman George Faris and President Jabbra.

A talk about the impact of unnatural sounds, a harmonious trio and the compositions of a talented teenager were among the acoustic delights presented at TEDxLAU this Saturday.

“So many speakers, so many ideas shared, but the time passed so quickly,” said Maya, one of almost 400 attendees.

While LAU English Instructor Deema Dakakni encouraged the audience at the sold-out event to embrace the self-healing power of natural sounds and chanting, sisters Cynthia, Joy and Elsa Saade drove the point home with a distinctive tri-lingual and well-received theatrical a capella performance.

The piano pieces composed and performed by thirteen-year-old Shaun Agostine were equally beautiful, though the first of them, written in four parts to reflect the four lessons Sara Khatib outlined during her talk at TEDxLAU in 2014, brought many to tears. Khatib was a pharmacy student at LAU when she lost her battle with cancer.

Also channeling loss on the stage of the Gulbenkian Theatre was head of LAU’s fashion program Jason Steel. Remembering his father, Steel spoke with raw emotions and intensity about the family he had found in Beirut among his students. “Our program is to help make them who they are and not who others think they should be.”

Narjes Jaafar and Sally Beydoun spoke eloquently of their battle between the expectations of others and of self, sharing their individual experiences with the headscarf as though in conversation with each other. Jaafar had chosen to remove hers after feeling stifled by the way other people perceived her. “I had a voice that wasn’t veiled but was expected to be a voice of the veil,” she explained. Beydoun recounted her experiences with airport security and ignorant prejudice. The two-person format that reflected solidarity and the confidence with which the young women spoke earned them a well-deserved standing ovation.

Aaed Ghanem and Rita Jamijian also took to the stage together to showcase some enviable AcroYoga positions which, explained yogi and therapist Ghanem, are a physical demonstration of trust. A discourse on lying by student Jad Karbala highlighted the care with which the entire schedule of 16 talks ―14 live and two recorded ― had been put together by organizer and English Instructor Reina Azzi and her team of dedicated volunteers.

The most visible of the many volunteers was perhaps the young student who sat, looking beautiful in a Grecian dress, on the faux stone wall that complemented a large mural depicting the theme of the day ― an agora, a large public space in ancient Greece where people congregated.

Serene Dardari’s impassioned plea for solidarity between the Lebanese and the Syrians evoked visions of an orator imploring her countrymen as they gathered in the agora. “The borders between us are invisible lines drawn by very sick people. We cannot survive without each other.”

Also promoting unity was the last speaker of the day Rana Khoury, a founding member of Beirut Madinati who spoke of a youth surrounded by hate. “Hate leads to sadness and anger. People who are sad do not act. Those who are angry lose hope,” said Khoury as she explained the motivation behind the Madinati movement and invited others to join. “We opened the door for change and it cannot be closed again.”

“We could create our own heaven and we could create our own hell, why not create a better dream for all of us? Together, we can light the path so our children could finally see the sun.” - Serene Dardari on helping the lost Syrian generation.

Jason Steel: “We are the instigators of change. By giving alternatives to the expected norm, we can influence what men and women wear. When we do this, we also have the chance to influence society.”

“Love doesn’t mean being blinded and naive. Love is a political tool. Love gives hope, hope gives power, and power leads to change.” – TEDxLAU 2016 speaker Rana Khoury, on positive political rhetoric and creating a space for love.

Talented Shaun Agostine performs his beautiful compositions, one of which is a thoughtful dedication to former TEDxLAU Speaker, Sara El Khatib.

Since the second half of the 19th century, the Lebanese have been migrating and settling in various geographic regions of the world. They are known for achieving upward mobility and have become the source of critical revenues, through remittances and investments, while providing knowledge, investment, trade, and global business connections.

LAU’s engineering alumnus and former Board of Trustees member and chairman Paul Boulos is one such success story, having started his own water engineering company, Innovyze, that develops and provides wet infrastructure business analytics software. 

“We need entrepreneurs who are looking for gaps in the marketplace to fill. The Lebanese society tends to go with what is known rather than something completely new,” said Boulos. “We have to export patent and innovation, not just workface, and that will require assistance from universities and the government. If there is no ecosystem to support a generation of entrepreneurs, they will fail.” 

Boulos’ remarks came during the Lebanese Diaspora Energy (LDE) Conference in New York where he and fellow alumnus Tarek Fadel (’93) served on a panel called ‘Startups and Entrepreneurships.’

The event was hosted on September 16-17 by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. “The idea for the LDE conference came about after LAU NY held a successful diaspora panel in March 2015 at LAU New York,” explained LAU NY Academic Executive Director Lina Beydoun who worked closely with the Lebanese Consulate General in organizing the conference, which brought together some of the best and brightest Lebanese in North America.

Several LAU graduates were among the panelists, whose role it was to come up with solutions to Lebanon’s problems, and produce policy recommendations.

In an effort to support Lebanon’s startup ecosystem and offset the ‘brain drain,’ in 2014 the Lebanese Central Bank launched Circular 331, providing funding and loan guarantees for startups.

Fadel, who runs an intellectual property management software company based in New York, has taken advantage of the program to hire and cultivate Lebanese talent. “We invested heavily in training engineers and quality assurance personnel. In the past 18 months, we have increased our staff in the Beirut office from 12 to 42,” he said.

Alumnus Rand Ghayad (’07), speaking on the Investment, Diversification and Economic Growth panel, stressed that while the windfall of remittances to Lebanon provides a solid source of revenue, it cannot be a permanent path to economic development. “We have at least 20 percent unemployment, a high debt to GDP ratio, and about 25 percent are living below the poverty line. We need the diaspora involved in creating jobs.”

Aware of the community it serves and its challenges, LAU has been adapting to market needs by increasing its graduates’ chances of getting jobs after graduation.

In this regard, President Joseph G. Jabbra, who participated in a panel about educational partnerships, announced that the university will soon establish an innovation center thanks to a $3 million gift from a Lebanese businessman and philanthropist. “Out of firm conviction by LAU that the 21st century belongs to the innovators, this center will allow our students and faculty to come together and be creative in their thinking and in the implementation of their new ideas,” he said.

Another issue that Jabbra addressed is the need for financial aid and scholarships. LAU, he pointed out, offers $27 million in financial aid and scholarships and that is not enough because of the economic and political conditions in the country. “We cannot hike the tuition ad infinitum. We need to cooperate with the government to secure gifts from the diaspora to help us provide a university education to qualified young men and women of Lebanon.”

Following each panel, members of the audience were given the chance to question the panelists and offer their own advice. In addition to making recommendations, the LDE conference was an opportunity for entrepreneurs, universities, and foundations to collaborate and establish a network from around the globe. 

The conference brought together some of the best and brightest Lebanese in North America.

LAU’s Byblos campus opened its doors to old and new faculty members from all departments on Saturday September 26.

For the 32 new faculty members joining LAU this year, this was a valuable occasion to get to know the campus, their colleagues, and obtain guidance on the management of research and service centers.

Addressing the audience, LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra cited the values that have guided the university throughout its history ― to seek the truth, respect human dignity, be conscious of gender equality and listen to each other. He also reminded all staff members of their duty to pursue academic excellence, focus on the education of the whole person and form students who would contribute to building a better society.

“President Jabbra’s words were very inspiring,” says Harag Margossian, who joined LAU’s engineering department this year. “He is very passionate about the university and knows how to convey that passion to his listeners,” he said. After having obtained two PH.D.’s and studied in Sweden, Belgium and Ukraine, Margossian decided to come back to his home country and enrich LAU’s pool of experts with his knowledge of power engineering. 

American-born Michelle Kelly also traveled to Lebanon to join LAU, thrilled at the idea of working within the Department of Social Sciences and in collaboration with the various institutes at LAU. “Coming to Lebanon is a dream come true,” she says, stressing that her marriage to a Lebanese influenced her studies in international social work. “I hope my presence here will result in a collaboration between LAU students and faculty and my former students and colleagues at the University of Mississippi.”

For the first time, the Fall Annual Faculty Meeting, the new Faculty Orientation, the Faculty Community BOT report and the Faculty Award distribution were held together so as to ensure greater interaction.

“We were delighted to blend all four activities together in one day in order to enable all faculty members to meet each other and put a face to a name,” says Mona Majdalani, assistant provost for Academic Affairs. The Faculty Award was reinstated this year in recognition of the great output produced by LAU’s faculty. “It is only fair to recognize and promote their achievements,” says Majdalani, “which also encourages others to work harder.”

The Award for Excellence in Teaching was shared by engineering Assistant Professor Gabriel Bazi and Wissam AlHussaini, assistant professor at the Adnan Kassar School of Business, for their ability to commend and motivate students. Engineering Professor Chadi Abou Rjeily received the Award for Excellence in Research for his academic output and the quality of his research. “This award is very dear to my heart because it means that other faculty members have appreciated my work and voted for me,” says Abou Rjeily, who contributed to and edited some of the most prestigious scientific journals in the engineering field. “For me, the secret behind professional success is time, potential and passion. But to have passion for what you do is perhaps the most indispensable of all.”  

Abou Rjeily receives the Award for Excellence in Research from President Jabbra.

AlHussaini (left) with Bazi share the Award for Excellence in Teaching.

A new system of residency introduced for Syrian refugees in 2014 has resulted in half the Syrian population of Lebanon becoming illegal immigrants with limited or no access to the formal justice system. This has further increased their vulnerability.

These are among the conclusions of a two-year research program conducted by LAU’s Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution (ISJCR), together with International Alert (IA) and the UNESCO International Center for Human Sciences (CISH). The study was last week crowned with a conference entitled ‘Access to Justice for Syrian Communities – Formal Challenges, Informal Opportunities.’

No write-up could do justice to the wealth of information shared during the two-day event by about 20 researchers and practitioners, who presented their own relevant experiences, statistics, quotes and insights into the lives and challenges of Syrian communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

Tamirace Fakhoury, assistant professor of Political Science at LAU and associate director of the ISJCR, and Karim El Mufti, researcher at CISH, exposed some of the many findings they made over the past two years during which they conducted interviews with Syrian refugees in Lebanon and reviewed hundreds of court cases against Syrians.

Forty percent of prisoners in Lebanon are Syrian, of which 63 percent are on pre-trial detention. Given that over 40 percent of Syrians who go to court are charged with offenses directly related to their vulnerable status, such as possessing forged or nonofficial documents, El Mufti argued that the system is flawed, contradicts international law and highlights the need for a sustainable and sensible approach to the refugee population in Lebanon.

“Lebanon entered panic mode in 2014, closing its borders, issuing 11 obscure categories for visas, deporting vulnerable refugees, halting UNHCR registration, and accusing refugees of social and economic problems,” the researcher explained. “The current policy, as highlighted by our interviews, is to make legal stay as unreachable as possible and make actual stay as uncomfortable as possible.”

As a result of this approach, more than 500,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon are now considered to be illegal immigrants. This status prevents them from accessing a formal justice system that has already been brought into disrepute by corrupt practices, said Director of the Brehon Institute Shelley Dean on the second day of the conference.

“Informal justice systems are prompt, cost efficient and deliver sound verdicts faster than formal systems,” said Dean, arguing for a greater understanding of such systems by international organizations that are assisting and developing Syrian refugee communities.

Others, including Ph.D. student Ann-Christin Wagner who lives among Syrian refugees in the north Jordanian town of Mafraq, and Şenay Özden of the Hamisch Syrian Cultural House in Istanbul, shed light on the challenges faced by Syrians in Jordan and Turkey, and the options available to them.

“Jordan agreed to issue 50,000 work permits to Syrians and waive the application fee, but they did not understand that most Syrians are not interested in the work permit. Labor is mostly informal in Jordan in any case, and they don’t want to lose access to humanitarian assistance,” said Wagner, highlighting the disconnect between government policies and the daily struggles of refugee communities.

Bringing the conference to a close with a personal and impassioned address was Fadi Hallisso, director of Basmeh & Zeitooneh for Relief and Development. “When we started working in Lebanon we had a dream of working together with Lebanon to establish a historic peace…. But there is a total lack of dialogue between Lebanon and the Syrian community. There is no consultation. We must acknowledge that the residency system in Lebanon is classist and is restricting access to justice for the most vulnerable.”

Experts agreed on the disconnect between government policies and the daily struggles of refugee communities.

Last week, the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) successfully took part in the prestigious QS World MBA Tour alongside leading international universities such as McGill University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, IE and HEC business schools.

The QS Tour which took place at the Phoenicia hotel in Beirut welcomed more than 1,100 potential M.B.A. students. AKSOB, represented by its Accreditation and Continuous Improvement Coordinator Samar Makhoul and M.B.A. Program Director Leila Messarra, had the opportunity to compete for prospective students and engage with them on an individual basis.

“It is impressive to see LAU competing along the most prestigious universities in the field worldwide. I have compared its program with those of the international schools and it is good,” said Leyla Mkallach, an electrical and mechanical engineer who stopped at AKSOB’s stand.

The QS organizers emailed the LAU team a list of no less than 60 prospective students who expressed interest in the LAU M.B.A. program in particular.

For Messarra, participating in such events increases visibility for the school and its engagement with prospective students. “We look forward to next year’s tour, not only in Lebanon, but also in Dubai to target international and expat students,” she added.

LAU and AUB were the only Lebanese universities represented at the event.

Participants at the event visit LAU’s booth.

LAU was among the most prestigious universities represented at the event.

Through student eyes

My heart was filled with joy and pride as I witnessed fellow translation students, alumni, professors, publishing houses and translation companies get together in celebration of the International Translation Day last Friday. The B.A. in Translation program has been continuously proving its success, this time by hosting a lecture by renowned linguist Salam Diab-Duranton. LAU Beirut turned into a hub where professionals and students interacted and shared their love for translation.

"This annual event pays tribute to translators around the world and showcases translation as the promoter of understanding and respect among different cultures of the world, eliminating stereotyping and racism," said Nuwar Diab, associate professor of English and Applied Linguistics and director of the program.

Chair of the Humanities Department Paul Tabar acknowledged the importance of translation as "a weapon of communication in the face of terrorism, wars, and destruction." He compared translators to "soldiers in the fight against cultural and linguistic regression."

For her part, Diab-Duranton considered this day a combination of appreciating, learning and practicing translation. "LAU has always been the first among many universities not only in developing its translation program, but also in its teaching methods and student-centered approaches," she commented. The expert highlighted the importance of the exhibition held in parallel to the event, which aimed to kindle the students’ love for learning by providing books and dictionaries they may not find elsewhere.

In her lecture, Diab-Duranton shed light on French orientalist and archeologist Antoine Galland’s role in introducing the Eastern culture and its Arabic literature to Europe ― notably through his translation of One Thousand One Nights from Arabic to French ― as well as turning the French language into one of culture and intellect. She, herself, is currently documenting Galland’s manuscripts that are stored in the National Library of France in order to preserve the work of the translator who fostered an understanding and appreciation of the Arabic language and culture overseas. "This is my second time lecturing at LAU, and it is the second time I notice the students’ passion, curiosity, and commitment which proves the enthusiasm of the Lebanese youth, especially girls," she declared proudly.

Translation students and alumni were thrilled with the exposure to the job market provided at the event. Takla Al Katoul Al Rahbani, my fellow classmate and second year translation student, stressed that this event "shows that LAU is interested in giving us practical and not just theoretical and academic knowledge, as well as introducing us to potential employers so that we have more work opportunities in the future."

Diab pointed out that the program is attracting graduates from other fields, because its Arabic-English nature is giving those who do not know French the chance to pursue this degree. Moreover, it is designed to promote translation as an academic discipline rather than a career for linguists only.

Personally, I had the chance to speak to several people, such as ESCWA representatives who assured me that securing employment at the UN is not an impossible dream, and other employers who praised the performance of their LAU interns, which made me feel both proud and hopeful. Now I have a clear idea of where to start if I want to seek employment or internship opportunities.

As our special day came to an end, we were left with a sense of fulfillment for having been set on the right track from the beginning of our journey. Dima Fakhreddine emphasized this point, "As a first year translation student, it is very important for me to know the different fields that I might work in, meet my prospective employers and ask professionals about the nature of my future work. Today LAU made all that possible."

Hoda Hilal is a second year translation student.

“If you’ve seen injustice and you did not move, then through the years, what will improve?” This line is Lina Abirafeh’s favorite from the lyrics of ‘In My Hand’ by LAU student Lynn Jbeily, sung in the Lebanese dialect, about gender equality and female empowerment.

Speaking at the official launch of the song and the animated video that accompanies it, Abirafeh, director of LAU’s Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World, beamed with pride as she introduced Michelle and Noel Keserwany, the sisters who wrote the song and designed the illustrated characters used in the animation.

“We want to engage youths in a positive way without being dramatic or insulting anyone,” said Michelle, explaining the jovial music and humor that dominate the song and video clip despite the seriousness of the messages concerning harassment, unequal pay and discriminatory family laws, among others.

“We also wanted to highlight that women are already equal to men but it is the law that is flawed,” added Noel, referring to the use of both female and male characters supporting equality and the focus on the power of the ballot box. “No matter your passion, nothing will change without a change in the law.”

The Keserwany sisters have produced a number of videos promoting social change, all of which consisted of humor and satire. Their most recent and notable success was ‘Zaffatleh El Tarik’ (He Tarred My Road), a song about blind loyalty to political leaders. The video clip went viral, gaining over 40,000 views in its first two days online, and earned the “social change sisters” a strong following.

Their various videos have alluded to gentrification, machismo and political inertia, among other hot topics, but despite the strong messaging, the sisters have not received negative reviews or comments. “We work in a soft way, to avoid bringing out the Hulk in men,” laughs Michelle, the older of the two.

The sisters’ lighthearted approach to controversial issues is in fact what drew IWSAW to work with them. “We are so proud of this wonderful product,” said Abirafeh at the launch, held only hours before clips of the video were aired on various national TV channels. “It is positive and engaging without re-victimizing.”

The video is not part of a wider campaign but rather a tool meant to inspire youths across the region. With bold English and Arabic words showing within the animation, and English subtitles included as part of the original video design, the product is also universally attractive, said Abirafeh. “Even if you cannot hear or understand the song, the characters, actions and words in the animation deliver the message clearly.”

Before working on the music video, the team sought out other Arabic songs that addressed gender equality. They found only three, all of which either adopted a sad defeatist tone, or were translations of English songs. “There was nothing homegrown, indigenous to the environment and positive,” said Abirafeh. “There is nothing truly international like it.”

Four years after relocating to Dubai to join Al-Arabiya as editor in chief of their English language content, LAU alumnus Faisal Abbas has returned to his fatherland, Saudi Arabia, to head the regional daily newspaper Arab News.

“I have been granted a chance to go back home and be part of perhaps the most exciting time the country has gone through in decades; for a journalist like me, there could not have been a better time to be in Saudi Arabia … to witness and report on the massive transformation the country is undergoing,” says Abbas of his return to Jeddah 20 years after leaving to pursue his education, first at a high school in Amman and then at the Lebanese American University in Beirut.

Despite an early passion for journalism, Abbas majored in business at LAU. “I did it to appease my parents, but I specialized in marketing and took all my electives in communication arts,” explains Abbas, who worked full-time at Future TV throughout his four years as an undergraduate student. “I always say, I left Lebanon with two degrees―an academic one from LAU and a practical one from Future Television.”

Abbas chose to study at LAU after hearing great things about it from his older brother―also a graduate of the university’s school of business. “My mother’s family lives nearby, in Raouche, so we used to pass by LAU often during my childhood visits to Beirut and they would say ‘yalla, when you grow up you’ll go there,’ and I did.”

Abbas added further to his multi-national background, education and experience by moving to London, where he continued to work in Arab media and obtained a master’s degree in marketing communication. “I not only wanted to be a stronger journalist but also to prepare myself for management of a media operation,” he explains. Less than a decade after graduating from LAU, he was hired as editor in chief at a global Arab broadcasting company.

“In those days, television was king and newspapers were struggling to make it clear that they were still dominant. Today, both television and print are struggling to show that they are still relevant in the era of social media and direct citizen journalism,” says Abbas. Arab News, where he now works, boasts a strong online presence in addition to its print edition.

“I believe we must grab the challenge by its horns, and determine to make a success of whatever the current media landscape may be,” says Abbas boldly. Among the difficulties facing Arab media today, he adds, is the absence of fundamental ethical practices. “There’s a lack of standards, little respect for copyright and the right of response.”

Abbas is also saddened by the current state of Lebanon, his motherland and a country with a special place in his heart. "I pray for Lebanon to return to peace, prosperity, and tolerance, and once again emerge as a regional leader in intellect, literature and science.”

Faisal Abbas graduated from LAU in 2003.

The School of Arts and Sciences will soon boast a state-of-the-art nutrition lab that will allow for advanced research in the field.

Fouad El-Abd, the founder and president of leading canned food company California Gardens, has pledged a substantial gift to LAU. His contribution will go toward naming and establishing the Fouad El-Abd Nutrition Lab in the university’s science building located on the Byblos campus.

“I really hope that the gift will help students to grow and develop products, and to eventually create thriving businesses which help a lot of people in the process,” commented El-Abd, a member of LAU’s Board of International Advisors, during a signing ceremony held last week at LAU Beirut.

The nutrition lab will house leading-edge equipment with the intention of becoming a key asset to LAU, with its foreseen capacity to include food testing and providing experiential research opportunities for students preparing for a career in the industry.

“The nutrition lab complements our efforts to bring the best to our students on the teaching and research levels,” stated Hussein Hassan, assistant professor of Food Science and Technology at LAU. “And it will certainly get a lot of use since our region is witnessing an unprecedented prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, among others, which means that there will be continuous demand for this area of study at LAU,” he added.

At the signing ceremony, LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra highlighted the importance of industry connecting with universities to share knowledge and provide support where needed. “Mr. El-Abd is doing so much in the area of food and food sciences, and I know LAU is going to be a better institution because of his association with us,” he declared.

California Gardens was launched in 1980 to supply the Middle East and Far East with quality and affordable canned food products from California. Today, the company produces millions of cases of food products annually, making it an important partner for LAU’s growing Nutrition Department.

Commenting on his commitment to LAU and Lebanon, El-Abd said, “Lebanon is a wonderful country. We have so much talent, and education is the only way to go forward. The students are lucky to have this university and its leaders to learn from.” 

The donation was announced during the annual Nutrition White Coat ceremony this year attended by MP Atef Majdalani.

From left: President Jabbra, Fouad el-Abd and Mahmoud Kreidie, a member of LAU’s Board of International Advisors.

An engaged and delighted full house was treated to nostalgic tales about Ras Beirut during the October edition of the monthly series of talks hosted by LAU’s Center for Lebanese Heritage (CLH).

The first of three speakers introduced by CLH Director, poet and journalist Henri Zoghaib, was former LAU staff member Leila Saleeby Dagher, who graduated from the university in 1960 when it was known as the Beirut College for Women (BCW).“They say LAU is the flower of Ras Beirut, but they are mistaken,” said Dagher, after reciting a beautiful Arabic poem that reminisces about LAU’s history of women’s education and empowerment. “LAU is an orchard of flowers.”

Dagher has held various posts at the university since graduating, including director of relations and admissions, and was for many years on the board of the Alumni Association. “BCW helped Lebanese and Arab girls gain an education, particularly those whose parents would not allow them to study at co-edinstitutions,” said Dagher, while recounting the journeys of women who studied at the Beirut campus in the 1930s, way back when it was called American Junior College for Women (AJCW).

A lyrical tour of the campus incorporated a school by the upper gate where JCW students used to teach and the nursery by Shannon Hall, which was attended by both AJCW and BCW students. “Some of the young girls who attended that nursery grew to be women who graduated from the university,” beamed Dagher, while addressing the scores of people in the audience, most of whom lived in Ras Beirut and included fellow alumni. Front and center were LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra and General Manager of the Ministry for Tourism Nada Sardouk.

General Secretary of the United Front for Ras Beirut, Zakaria el Ghali, followed with an overview of prominent people and places in the area, past and present, such as the Shehab family garden in Wardieh, the carob tree at the Itani farm, and the black man held in chains by the French at what became known as the area of Saqiyet al Janzir.

“Ras Beirut is an environment unto itself, worthy of nationhood,” declared el Ghali. “We refused armed combat during the war and were able to maintain the environment of Ras Beirut as a flower of many colors, an example the whole country must emulate.”

Preceding and succeeding the talks were screenings of clips from a film entitled Memories of Ras Beirut – Wish You Were Here, produced a decade ago by LAU alumnus Mahmoud Hojeij. “I still receive emails from people all over the world telling me about their experiences and memories of Ras Beirut,” said the filmmaker. Meeting the eyes of many in the audience, he remarked: “It’s a beautiful expression I see in the faces of those forty and over who knew Ras Beirut as it was.”

Watch LAU alumnus Mahmoud Hojeij’s film Memories of Ras Beirut – Wish You Were Here

BCW students.

LAU in 1946 (then BCW), a landmark of Ras Beirut.

With the implosion of Syria’s social fabric and near total collapse of its institutions, many question the country’s ability to remain resilient, and its people hopeful.

This fall, LAU’s New York Academic Center launched a series called Syria Resilient, consisting of five events aimed at fostering an understanding of Syria, not as a land of war and tragedy, but as a place of origin and sentiment for over 150,000 Americans whose ancestors began settling in the United States in the 1880s.

The series was conceived by LAU NY Academic Executive Director Lina Beydoun, and includes music and art performances, a panel discussion, and film screenings.

It takes place in conjunction with the Little Syria exhibition at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, a comprehensive and unprecedented presentation of the early Syrian community in New York, and across the U.S.

“Syria Resilient aims to humanize the experiences of everyday Syrians, by offering a platform for Syrian voices to express their own experiences of—and responses to—the war,” says Beydoun.

The first event, an evening of poetry, prose and music, co-sponsored by the New Pen League on September 27, brought together Syrian-Canadian writer Ghada Alatrash and New York Arabic Orchestra co-founders Bassam Saba and April Centrone. Alatrash read excerpts from her new book, Stripped to the Bone: Portraits of Syrian Women, while Saba and Centrone accompanied the readings with soulful Arabic music.

“Poetry is important because the news that we get from the media desensitizes our feelings, it dehumanizes the characters, transforming them into numbers and statistics, whereas poetry awakens that which is human in us. It takes us to the place where we can connect,” says Alatrash.

On October 6, LAU teamed up with Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program for a political discussion on Syria, entitled “Syria’s Predicament and the U.S. Role.” The panel included Syria watchers Joshua Landis and Steven Cook, and was moderated by journalist Patricia Sabga.

“It is important for academic institutions like LAU and Bard to present an analytical view of Syria and the overall situation in the Middle East,” said James Ketterer, dean of International Studies at Bard College. “That includes putting the crisis into the context of the arts, poetry, and music, which helps personify a population.”

Other events in the series will include a musical/visual art performance on November 3 entitled “Home Within,” featuring Syrian composer and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, and Syrian-Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad.  The series will wrap up in December with two separate film screenings. 

By offering a counter-narrative to the headlines about Syria in the mainstream media, the Syria Resilient series advances the New York Academic Center’s goal to raise public awareness of the Middle East and promote cross-cultural understanding.

The Syria Resilient Series is made possible by the generous support of: The Violet Jabara Charitable Trust, New York Council for the Humanities, Lloyd Baroody & Zeina Mehio, and Aida Sharabati-Shawwaf.

Panelists Joshua Landis and Steven Cook discuss the role of the U.S. in the Syrian conflict.

New York Arabic Orchestra co-founders Bassam Saba and April Centrone perform at the event.

Syrian-Canadian writer Ghada Alatrash reads excerpts from her new book, Stripped to the Bone: Portraits of Syrian Women.

Eating is not just about satisfying hunger. Food contains a combination of nutrients, some of which may be healthy for our system while others may not. The growing field of nutrigenomics is investigating how each person’s response to nutrients differs according to genetic variations, thus raising awareness of the need for a personalized diet.

Several cups of coffee per day, for example, are not necessarily harmful. But for some, the opposite might be true, in which case the recommended limit would be four cups. Similarly, a low sodium diet is not suitable for everyone as it might cause blood pressure to increase rather than drop.

“One size does not fit all,” says Ahmed El-Sohemy, professor at the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics and speaker at the symposium on nutrigenomics held last week at LAU. “It is not enough to ask a patient how much coffee he is drinking. It is necessary to establish how much coffee is reaching the target cells of interest.”

This can be understood by identifying genotypes that help predict whether a patient’s metabolism will be slow or quick in processing a given substance. Such information can be beneficial not only for weight loss, but also for preventing the onset of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and even cancer, experts say.

Through the analysis of a patient’s genes, doctors are also able to exclude the appearance of certain diseases. “Seventy percent of the population does not have the genes to develop the celiac disease,” says El-Sohemy, founder of Nutrigenomix Inc. and recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship from Harvard University. “If tested at birth, those who do have a predisposition can avoid the disease by watching out for their gluten intake.”

Sitting next to El-Sohemy, was Daniel Wallerstorfer, who made a presentation on the Science of Genomics and DNA. Another International genomics expert, Wallerstorfer is the CEO of Novogenia Group, one of Europe's market leaders in lifestyle and genetic diagnostics and a global pioneer in preventive genetic diagnostics. The group controls DNA PLUS, a Germany-based company specialized in genetic testing.

LAU, in partnership with DNA PLUS ^ME, is leading this field of research in the region.

“It was only normal for us to join forces with LAU in the organization of its first symposium, where both entities worked on spreading the word to professionals and students across Lebanon,” says Nesrine Sfeir, corporate advisor of DNA PLUS ^ME.

The company’s Middle Eastern branch is set to provide the region with high quality standards not only in genomic testing that addresses nutrition, sports and lifestyle but also in medical tests that will help community members determine their risks for diseases early on and prevent their onset.  

This material will be used by two LAU professors who will conduct research on the Lebanese population and identify what kinds of diseases it might be predisposed to.

Maya Bassil, assistant professor at LAU’s Department of Natural Sciences, welcomes the new collaboration and LAU’s efforts to spearhead nutrigenomics in the region. “As researchers, it is our goal to raise awareness about the latest advancements in the field,” she says. “It is absolutely an area worth exploring and we await the response this will have in the Middle East.”

The event drew students, faculty members and experts in the field.

On October 12, LAU NY, in partnership with the Consulate General of Lebanon and the New Pen League, hosted a commemoration of Lebanese poet Jawdat R. Haydar, offering a glimpse of his legacy through a documentary film, readings, and an exhibit featuring artifacts from his life.

Haydar not only lived until 101, but produced some of his most brilliant and profound work toward the end of his life. 

Born in Baalbeck in 1905, Haydar’s childhood was filled with strife. His father and siblings were forced into exile in Turkey under the Ottoman Empire. At nine, he was left alone with his mother, who was stricken with Typhus and died, after which he made the long and harrowing trip to Turkey to join his family. His life journey took him to France, and then to the U.S., where at age 16, he wrote his first poem as a student at North Texas University.

While Haydar went on to have a career outside of poetry, first as an educator at the Universal College in Aley and the Najah National School in Nablus, and later as a director at the Iraq Petroleum Company and the Mid-East Auto and Trading Company, the poet was always inside him. After his retirement in 1960, he went on to publish four books of poetry: Voices, Echoes, Shadows, and 101 Selected Poems.

“He was a visionary. He wrote about universal issues like science and the beauty of nature, and focused on themes of non-violence, tolerance, and human rights,” said his daughter Shahina Osseiran, who attended the event along with several other members of his family.

“He hated pollution, not just environmental pollution, but pollution in the minds of and hearts of people.”

The evening began with readings of Haydar’s poems by alumna Hilda Abla, and New Pen League member Rita Zihenni. “When I read his poetry, I was blown away,” said Abla. “I felt like he was talking to me. And when I read To Be Yourself, it was like he was me, talking to myself. The poems were very personal and they touched me deeply.”

Indeed, his work touched many lives, earning him recognition from the Lebanese Order of the Cedar, the Golden Medal of Lebanese Merit, the French Legion of Honor, and the Papal Medal from Pope John XXIII for humanitarian work. 

“Jawdat Haydar contributed to building bridges of understanding,” said Lina Beydoun, executive director of the New York Academic Center. “His life was filled with integrity, humility, philanthropy, and humanitarianism.”

It is for these reasons that Haydar is often remembered not just as a poet, but as a humanist. “While his poetry reveals a deep attachment to Lebanon, its landscape, and its people, he was also a man who moved across the world and saw things from a larger perspective,” said Consul General of Lebanon Majdi Ramadan. “Haydar rejected the divisions of religion, language or ethnicity, and embraced a universal spirituality that encompasses humanity.”

The evening concluded with a reading in Arabic delivered by Youssef Abdel Samad, poet and managing editor of the New Pen League, a group that helps preserve the heritage of early immigrant poets such as Khalil Gibran, Mikhael Naimy, and Elia Abu Madi.

One of the first Arab poets to write original works in English, Haydar’s poem, “The Temple of Baalbeck,” was incorporated into the official curriculum of the Lebanese Baccalaureate.

In 2011, LAU inaugurated the Jawdat R. Haydar Memorial Study Room in the Riyad Nassar Library in Beirut, home to some of Haydar’s precious books, old manuscripts, and personal belongings donated by his family.

To read more of his work, visit jawdathaydar.org

LAU alumna Hilda Abla reciting Haydar’s poetry.

Poet and New Pen League Managing Editor Youssef Abdul Samad reads poems in Arabic.

Haydar’s daughter Shahina Haydar Osseiran shows visitors around the exhibit.

Rita Zihenni recites “My Will”.

For students in the health field, the knowledge gained in the classroom is only a fraction of what they will need to be successful practitioners. Good communication skills and a feel for the responsibility involved can only be taught through experience.

To this end, LAU encourages a hands-on approach by means of community-based events designed to both train students and provide a service to the community. The latest such activity took place last Friday in the streets of Byblos, where students of nursing, accompanied by their colleagues from nutrition and pharmacy, set up a fair to raise awareness of disease prevention and the need for a healthy lifestyle.

Breast cancer was one of the topics selected by students, and a particularly tricky one. “In Lebanon, women often think that if you talk about breast cancer you are going to get it,” said senior nursing student Clara Ann Malak, who became passionate about cancer patients and care after a family friend was diagnosed with the disease. “It feels good to raise awareness about this issue and realize that we can really make a difference.”

Byblos is no stranger to the health campaigns conducted by LAU, having hosted last year's first health fair by the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing. The services provided by LAU students to the community is recognized and appreciated by the municipality of city, which gladly granted them the necessary permits for the second year running. “It is an exchange of services,” says Khaled el Lakis, member of the municipality’s Health Committee and a pharmacist himself. “We do not have the necessary resources to carry out awareness campaigns and LAU is filling that gap.”

Through the academic year and as part of their training, LAU students also conduct home visits―during which they assist chronically ill patients as well as the underprivileged―set up awareness booths outside big commercial centers and work at dispensaries.

“It is important to practice the role of nursing in a community setting,” says Mira Abi Saad-Youssef, clinical instructor at LAU. “Not only do students learn how to interact with the public, but they also think about which key messages to extract from the literature.”

Alongside the Remy Rebeiz Young Heart Foundation―which participated in both editions offering free EKG testing―this year saw the participation of the newly founded SAID Colorectal Cancer Awareness Association.

What is the added value of having pharmacy and nutrition students involved in this year’s edition? “This is an opportunity for the three faculties to intermingle,” explained Wissam Kabbara, clinical assistant professor at LAU’s School of Pharmacy. “Pharmacists are the drugs experts, so we can contribute by informing the public about the correct intake of medicines and their side effects.”

For nutrition student Marya Hanna, the fair in fact benefited students and public alike. “We are providing a service but also learning from the community,” says Hanna, “we can understand how people look at things and find new ways to convey a message that will succeed in triggering change.”

The population gets free testing at the diabetes booth.

Students raise awareness on breast cancer.