Beirut Arab University Celebrates the Commencement of its “51st Class”
26 June 2014
The procession of the “51st Class” of Beirut Arab University Graduates consisted of 1749 students belonging to various majors at 10 faculties. They all started out on their journey into life at an exceptional and innovative ceremony. A new location was dedicated for the event this year, equipped with the latest technology and adorned with an increasing number of International Accreditations, the most recent of which was a surprise announcement by Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi.
The event was attended by HE Nabih Berri and HE Tammam Salam represented by the Governor of the South Mr. Mansour Daou; HE Fouad Sanioura represented by MP Dr. Ammar Houri; HE Saad EL Hariri represented by MP Mr. Mohamed El Hajjar; Army Chief General Jean Kahwaji represented by Brigadier-General Doureid Zahreddine; Minister Joubran Basil represented by Mr. Elie Salloum; General Director of State Security General George Karaa represented by Captain Labib Saad; General Director of Internal Security Forces Major General Ibrahim Basbous represented by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Ghannoum; Assistant Beirut Police Chief Brigadier-General Khalil EL Dika; Qatari Ambassador Mr. Ali Hamad El Mari; President of the Municipalities Union of Eqlim El Kharoub Region Major Mohamed Mansour; Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities Dr. Sultan Abou Orabi El Edwan; President of the Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar; Chairperson of the Board of Directors of IDAL Mr. Nabil Itani; General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture Eng. Louis Lahhoud represented by Mr. Wissam Abou Daher; Governor of Beirut Mr. Ziad Chebib represented by Mr. Ali Osman; President of Beirut Municipality Mayor Bilal Hamad represented by Mr. Abdel Hafiz Ghalayini.
The ceremony was also attended by BAU Family consisted Vice-President for Medical Sciences Prof. Dr. Essam Osman , Vice President for Tripoli Branch Affairs Prof. Dr. Khaled Baghdady, the Deans of the Faculties, the President of El Bir wal Ihsan Society, Mr. Toufic Houri, BAU Secretary General, Mr. Issam Houri, in addition to BAU Directors, Administrators and BAU staff-members, and employees, who all contributed one way or another to the success of the ceremony.
The event also witnessed a loyal Jordanian presence manifested in the Honorary President of the BAU Alumni Club in Jordan, HE Toufic Krishan as a Keynote Speaker to the Annual Commencement.
The ceremony opened with the majestic entrance of the Procession of Graduates, followed by the Procession of the President and the Staff-Members. After playing the Lebanese National Anthem and the BAU Anthem, and after a brief recitation of the Holy Quran by Sheikh Mohamed El Saleh, the Director of the Public Relations Administration Mrs. Zina Ariss welcomed the guests. In her word she advised the graduates to remain loyal to their University and to follow their hearts before their minds as they are the future of this country. She described the graduates as the young dreamers who are seeking change and life. She also invited the graduates to soar high, relying on the knowledge and science, and fortified with ethics and human values.
In his word, BAU President, Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi surprised the guests and graduates with a breaking news: the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) Accredited the Dentistry program at BAU compatible with European Schools.
Summarising a year of decisions and achievements that respond to the needs of the society, El Adawi announced the introduction of new majors: Interior Design, Graphic Design, Landscape, Fashion Design, Product Design and the Teaching Diploma as well as a number of Academic Degrees needed by the job-market. The University also introduced research units, such as the Alternative Energy Unit at the Faculty of Engineering and the Medical Research Unit.
As for the educational facilities, El Adawi announced the establishment of the new building for the Faculty of Art and Design next to the Faculty of Architectural Engineering in Debbieh. The University has also issued its five-year Strategy, which is rich in developmental plans and aspirations which the University is seeking to fulfil.
The Keynote Speaker of the Ceremony, Honorary President of BAU Alumni Club in Jordan, HE Toufic Krishan, delivered a speech in which he mixed fond memories with hope and determination. He recalled the first generation who established the University and worked on developing it when he was a student in 1973. He described the University as a university of hope towards a promising future and the home of a past that shapes tomorrow. BAU united the Arab youth and is protected by an army of graduates who assume leading posts in the Arab World. Krishan greeted the founders of BAU and the unknown soldiers in its administrations and on its campuses, as well its students.
The students’ speech was delivered by the Alumna Aya Hneineh, from the Faculty of Pharmacy, who spoke of the passage of time and the memories at the University travelled towards the horizons of sciences. She expressed gratitude to the staff-members who left lamps whose glows will never fade, and to the University which embraced the students with a smile like a mother that is oblivious to the tough years. She added that the University has branded the brow of each graduate with a medal of pride.
The distribution of the certificates animated the event and the guests. All eyes were drawn to the graduating class, reaping the results of their efforts, presented by the President and the deans. The closure of the ceremony was moving as Prof. Dr. Naglaa Mashaal, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine recited the Graduation Oath with the Graduates, pledging to perform their vocations with dedication and to aid humanity. The President also presented Mr. Tawfiq Krishan an honorary shield.