AUST‘s Graduates 700 students during its 9th Graduation Ceremony
Bestows a Doctoren Honoris Causa in Humane Letters to H.E. Bahia Al Hariri
Honors ‘Giving to Education” of Rafic El Hariri and Issam Fares
The American University of Science and Technology (AUST) celebrated its 9th graduation ceremony at BIEL, on July 15th, 2010, in the presence of H.E. Hassan Mneimneh, Minister of Education and Higher Education, representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Council of Ministers; H.E. Bahia Al Hariri; and Brigadier General William Moujally General Manager of Issam Fares’ Foundation, representing ex Deputy Issam Fares.
Several ministers, ambassadors; political, military, religious, educational, judiciary and social figures and dignitaries attended the ceremony which counted an audience of over 6000 persons.
After the Lebanese National Anthem, Provost Dr. Nabeel Haidar welcomed the audience and introduced President Sakr who, after congratulating the students, numerated AUST’s many achievements and announced that “GIVING”; especially, in the field of education, is the theme of this year’s commencement ceremony, personified in the person of late Prime Minister Rafic Al Hariri, and ex Deputy Prime Minister, Issam Fares.
Then, Dr. Haidar declared that this year AUST is bestowing upon H.E Bahia Al Hariri a Doctoren Honoris Causa in Humane Letters. After the hooding ceremony, H.E. Al Hariri thanked AUST and encouraged the new graduates to always seek knowledge.
On his part, Vice President Riad Sakr reaffirmed that AUST is “celebrating the act of GIVING” and that two individuals were chosen for the indelible mark that they have left in the “Book of Giving”: Rafic Al Hariri and Issam Fares, to whom he presented a bronze, Cedar-wood-based statue; a souvenir commemorating the spirit of the event.
VP Amir Sakr then presented the Guest of Honor, Dr. Alan Davis, President of Empire Sate College of the State University of New York, who gave a short speech commending the good performance of the SUNY graduates, exhorting them to become good global citizens.
The word of the graduates was given by Daniel Sakr; in it he thanked all the people who made it possible for him and fellow students to attain their degrees. Daniel concluded his speech with Leon Trotsky’s words: “Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression and violence, and enjoy it to the full.”
Then the Registrar Mr. Edward Mazloum was asked to read the names of the graduating students, who upon hearing their names, happily came forward, to the enthusiastic applause of their family and friends, and received their diplomas from the President. These young graduates were all smiles as they shook the hands of the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, H.E. Hariri and Dr. Davis with confidence and readiness to encounter the challenges of life.
Official AUST website, © Copyright 2010 AUST, Lebanon. Technical contact: it@aust.edu.lb
