BAU Graduates the Class of Issam Houri

El Adawi: The University has Firmly Secured its Place on the Lebanese, the Arab and the International Educational Map
Al Hout: Graduation is the Journey towards Self-Reliance

Beirut Arab University graduated its 53rd class, which carried this year the name of the late Secretary General of BAU, Mr. Issam Houri. The event was held on campus in Debbieh with the participation of 1405 graduates from ten faculties, 350 of which were postgraduates. The event also witnessed the launching of the Issam Houri Award for the highest GPA in Accounting, to commemorate the late Issam Houri’s specialization.
The event was attended by MP Ammar Houri, representing HE Fouad Sanioura and HE Saad Hariri; Minister Ashraf Rifi, represented by Mr. Khaled Elwan; MP Walid Jumblatt, represented by Dr. Walid Safi; representatives of the ambassadors of Egypt, Palestine and Jordan; Minister Tawfik Krishan and a delegation of the Alumni Society in Jordan; heads of orders and of municipalities; directors of hospitals; representatives of the diplomatic and the military corps; Mr. Tawfik Houri, the Honorary President of the Waqf El Bir wal Ihsan Board of Trustees; in addition to Mr. Mohamed Hout, General Manager of MEA and the speaker of the event.
The event began after the entry of the processions of graduates and of the President with the Lebanese National Anthem and the BAU Anthem, followed by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. This was followed by the screening of a short movie highlighting the most important achievements of BAU Secretary General, Issam Houri, from the establishment of BAU, through the various challenges the University faced during the wars, to the different successes.
Ms. Zina Ariss, Director of Public Relations, presented the event, giving a moving speech addressing the spirit of Issam Houri. She called upon the graduates to follow in the footsteps of this great role model.
The graduation speech was delivered by Hussein Issa, at the Faculty of Engineering, who described the graduates as the completion of Late Issam Houri’s project.
Prof. Amr El Adawi, President of BAU, reiterated in his speech that the University proves yet again through its achievements and distinction that it has firmly secured its place on the Lebanese, the Arab and the international educational map. He also pointed out that the University is keen on providing its students with all aspects of confidence conducive to success on the Lebanese, the Arab and the international job markets.
Adawi maintained that the University does not limit itself to the educational role alone, as it transcends this to building the students’ personality.
Mr. Mohamed Hout, the speaker of the event, recalled his story with BAU, from its establishment to attaining excellence. He hailed all those working on achieving the University’s mission, beginning with El Bir wal Ihsan Society, to President Gamal Abdel Nasser and HE Rafik Hariri, to the Late Issam Houri, emphasizing that the University’s mission is to stand up against all forms of tyranny and injustice. 
Al Hout stated that the University and MEA are partners in the adventure and in winning people’s trust and love. This is the secret to success, achievement and leadership. He also added that success has only one path, namely persistence, honesty and achievement, while the graduation is but a journey towards self-reliance.
The President of BAU, then, presented Mr. Hout with the BAU Shield, which was followed by the distribution of the certificates, the Issam Houri Awards and the Gamal Abdel Nasser Awards. The ceremony concluded with the graduation oath taken by the graduates, followed by fireworks.