BAU Celebrates the Graduation at its Premises in Debbieh Site

The 49th batch of BAU students, which comprised of 1816 students holding bachelor, diploma, master and doctorate degrees from the various Faculties, celebrated their  graduation on the 21st of June 2012 at its Premises in Debbieh Site. 

About ten thousand people attended the ceremony with Mr. Alaa Terro, Minister of the Displaced, representing General Micheal Sleiman, President of the Lebanese Republic, Mr. Nabih Berri, Head of the Lebanese Parliament and Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Among the attendees were Dr. Ammar Houri representing Ex-Prime Minister Fouad Sanioura, Dr. Mohammad Hajjar representing Ex-Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri as well as ex-ministers Ibrahim Halawi, Joseph Al Hachem, Yousef Sayed Hasan Al Zalzaleh, Head of the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Amine Saleh, Head of the Order of Surveyors, Mr. Antoine Mansour,  the Egyptian Ambassador,  Mr. Mohammad Taoufic,, Chairman of the Federation of the Lebanese Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon Mr. Mohammad Chocair as the Keynote Speaker of the Ceremony, President of Saidon Municipality Mayor Mohammad Saoudi, in addition to a number of military figures, bank mangers , and heads of associations as well the members of the Royal Institute of British Architects ( RIBA), Presidents of the various universities in Lebanon, Mr. Toufic Houri, Head of Al Bir wal Ihsan. Board of Trustees, Board members, Mr. Issam Houri, Secretary General of Beirut Arab University and staff members.

President of Beirut Arab University Prof. Amr Galal El -Adawi

The ceremony commenced with the graduates’ parade followed by the President’s parade which comprised of all Faculty Deans and Faculty members to be followed by the national and the university anthems and a reading from the holy Quran.

In his speech, Professor Amr El- Adawi, President of Beirut Arab University, stated that, since its establishment in 1960, Beirut Arab University has always been committed to its founders’ vision which enabled the University to become a recognized institution for higher education and scientific research both locally and internationally thanks to the development of all programs and the quality of its education and research.

BAU has established strong bonds with the other universities as well as the Lebanese, Arab and foreign institutions based on its belief in Lebanon’s distinctive role both at the Arab and the international levels.

Professor El -Adawi also emphasized BAU’s steps towards the accreditation of its programs by internationally recognized institutions starting with the “Royal Institute of British Architect” (RIBA) for the accreditation of the Architectural Engineering programs, and the “Canadian Council for the Accreditation of the Pharmacy programs” as well as the “American Institute for the Accreditation of the Engineering and Technology programs”.

Professor El Adawi noted that BAU has strengthened its ties with the local community via establishing a Board of Consultants for each faculty that comprises of eminent experienced figures who support the graduates, evaluate their competencies and guarantee their ability to meet the job market requirements and criteria. Concerning scientific research, the graduate students, together with Faculty members, work as research groups in cooperation with local and international institutions.

Professor El Adawi referred to the centre established in Bekaa Site which is dedicated to the environment and development researches in order to deal with the various scientific environmental and social issues not only in Bekaa, but throughout Lebanon as well.

Addressing the graduates, Professor El Adawi encouraged them to start their professional lives with determination and will and to be up to the responsibility always adopting education as their approach in life.

Professor El Adawi promised that BAU will always be a beacon of knowledge and education.

The Ceremony Keynote Speaker Mr. Mohamad Chocair

Mr. Mohammad Chocair, Chairman of the Federation of the Lebanese Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, stated that the new graduates will start their professional lives at a time when the region is witnessing some extremely important historical events.

For him, these graduates will define the future of the Arab Spring hoping that they would contribute to the prosperity of the Arab nation.

Chocair also stated that progress and creativity can never be fulfilled under injustice and oppression. However, as we now witness signs of real freedom, the graduates should be up to the responsibility and unleash their ambitions to help strengthen the concept of freedom among  people without being ever frustrated due to tyranny and oppression for the sake of the establishment of a just community based an transparency and competence.

Chocair insisted that having job opportunities which meet the graduates’ educational level within this international economic slowdown and unstable political situation is  but a challenge for these graduates who must always depend on themselves to develop and refine their skills.

He added that the scientific advancement in all fields changed our everyday life, increased work pressure, and decreased time with the family as well as seclusion and meditation. However, he made it clear that the technological development and work pressure should not be at the expense of our human values and traditions. In spite of all this, the interaction with other communities and benefitting from their experiences contribute to the process of progress and prosperity to a great extent.

Director of Public Relations Administration Mrs. Zina Ariss

Mrs Zina Ariss, Director of the Public Relations Administration, considered the graduation day as the harvest day for which the graduates waited so long. She stated that our young generation doesn’t believe in war and strives but in freedom, equality among people and democracy in a country where job opportunities and respect prevail.

The Graduates’ Word

In her speech, Ms. Dima Shibli Baalbaki, a graduate from the Faculty of Dentistry, stated that BAU has become her second home which embraces her memories, dreams and future plans as well as laughter, discussions and sighs. Feeling nostalgic, she declared that five years has passed just like moments rendering it so hard for the graduates to depart their sweet home.

The ceremony ended with the distribution of certificates on the graduates of whom 32 got Jamal Abdul Nasser Award for Academic Excellence. He granted Mr. Mohamad Chocair, the Keynote Speaker of the Commencement Ceremony a shield of Appreciation for his contributions on the Lebanese Local Society Level and his participation in Beirut Arab University Great Day.