A Seminar at Beirut Arab University on Students Services in Higher Education Improving the Learning Environment

Beirut Arab University hosted at Debbieh Campus a seminar on the development of students’ services at universities and higher education institutes in Lebanon, under the title of “Students’ Services in Higher Education- – Improving the Learning Environment”. The event which was held on the 28th November, 2013 brought together 22 higher education institutions in Lebanon, and is one of a series of seminars held by the TEMPUS Team in order to reform higher education in Lebanon.

The seminar was launched by Dr. Aref Soufi, coordinator of the Tempus program in Lebanon, who highlighted the importance of students’ services in the reform of higher education in Lebanon. He stressed that this occurs through the direct and positive impact on students, which serves the advancement of both the quality and the effectiveness of education. Dr. Soufi explained the role of Tempus in the transfer of expertise, as part of a series of programs that were launched last year, including the Writing Learning Outcomes, the Credit Systems, Internal Quality Assurance, and the Regulations for Doctoral Institutes.

Dr. Ahmad El Jammal, General Director of Higher Education, gave a review of higher education in Lebanon, pointing out that a set of laws are under study in order to be adopted by the parliament. The most important laws stipulate the establishment of a Quality Assurance Authority, the regulation of private higher education, and the structuring of the General Directory for Higher Education.

Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of Beirut Arab University, reiterated that BAU, ever since its establishment in 1960, has sought to achieve excellence and to provide quality education, while pursuing all recent developments to improve the academic and administrative services it offers in accordance with international standards. The President further stressed on the fact that the improvement of students’ services and the insurance of a rich and inclusive university environment, has occupied the greater part of the new five-year BAU Strategy (2013-2018).

Dr. Stephanie Griffiths Head of Counseling, Welfare and Health  Centers , King’s College London, who has a 25 years of experience in the field, spoke in the first session about the importance of granting every student during their undergraduate years a wonderful experience, especially in terms of the services offered by the university.

Prof. Soubhi Abou Chahine, Dean of Students’ Affairs at BAU, gave a quick review of the students’ services provided at BAU, in addition to a synopsis of the student activities held at all BAU branches.

The Seminar’s Sessions were discussed by Dr. Hala Muhtasib, Chairperson Enrollment Management Unit at the American University of Beirut, Dr. Tony Gergess, Dean of Students at Balamand University, and Dr. Ahmad Fadlallah, Head of IT Department at the Arab Open University. They spoke of their experiences in providing students’ services. Furthermore, the Tempus Team of experts presented the results of some relevant surveys that had been undertaken.

In the closing session, the participants were divided into groups to discuss these topics and to formulate recommendations on students’ services in higher education.