Beirut Arab University celebrated the graduation of its 13th class of students from the faculties of the Tripoli Branch. The graduating class totaled 383 graduates from both the bachelor's and postgraduate levels, distributed across the Faculties of Business Administration, Architecture - Design & Built Environment, Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Maher Dennawi, representing former Prime Minister Najib Mikati; MPs Dr. Haidar Nasser and Taha Naji; former MPs Samir El-Jisr and Misbah Ahdab; the Mufti of Tripoli Sheikh Mohammad Tarek Imam; Metropolitan Youssef Soueif, represented by the Reverend Dr. Nahmatallah Abboud; Acting President of Alexandria University Professor Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim; President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport Professor Ismail Abdel Ghafar; Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Dr. Ahmed Abdallah Zayed; Mayor of Tripoli Abdel Hamid Karimeh; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Waqf Al-Bir wal-Ihsan and Chairman of the BAU Board of Trustees Dr. Ammar Houry; BAU Secretary-General Dr. Omar Houri; Chairman of Rachid Karami International Fair Professor Hani Shaarani; Branch Supervisor Mr. Ahmad El-Sankari; along with military commanders, syndicate heads, leaders of associations, faculty deans, university directors, a large gathering of political, economic, syndical, municipal, spiritual, and social figures from North Lebanon, and the families of the graduates.
The ceremony commenced with the entry of the academic procession of graduates, followed by the procession of the University President and faculty members, the Lebanese National Anthem, the University Anthem, and a recitation from the Holy Quran by reciter Youssef El-Deek.
The event was presented by Ms. Chirine Kassab, who addressed the audience, saying: "Beirut Arab University has been and remains a home for knowledge and excellence. Throughout your years of study, it was keen on bestowing knowledge upon you, developing your skills, and opening the doors to innovation and scientific research. Today, as you step away from the study halls, you carry with you the values of the university that will accompany you wherever you go: diligence, integrity, creativity, and respect for humanity."
On behalf of the graduating class, student Rakan Jamal from the Faculty of Business Administration addressed his peers: "Today, as we stand on the threshold of the future, let us remember that our degrees are not merely papers to hang on walls, but a trust, a responsibility, and a call to be ambassadors of awareness, goodness, and progress in our communities. Let us march toward our dreams with confidence and determination. For whoever has walked through the halls of Beirut Arab University carries within themselves the knowledge and ambition that qualifies them to create change and build a better future."
The President of the University, Professor Wael Nabil Abdel Salam, then spoke, stating: "Our celebration today comes in the wake of an exceptional academic year by all standards one that witnessed storming conditions and immensely difficult times, as the Israeli war on Lebanon cast its heavy shadow over all aspects of life. Yet through your steadfast resolve, you proved to the entire world that education in Lebanon is a choice of resilience, and that the vessel of Beirut Arab University, as it has always been throughout its history, sails across the seas through waves and storms to reach the shore of success safely and securely."
Professor Abdel Salam continued: "As Beirut Arab University has always accustomed you over the past years, it continues to achieve its goals and strategies, regardless of changing circumstances or mounting difficulties. It did not merely settle for resilience, but continued its journey of growth and development throughout this academic year."
For his part, the keynote speaker of the ceremony, Mr. Ziad Al-Monla, Founder and CEO of MG Holding and an entrepreneur in the fields of healthcare, technology, aviation, infrastructure, and digital transformation recounted his experience from 34 years ago. He noted that his career "began with an unexpected opportunity to work in Iraq in the communications sector despite his specialization in healthcare, which marked a turning point in his career and contributed to launching MGH." He added that success does not require having all the answers from the beginning, but rather the courage to learn, seek assistance from experts, and find solutions.
Mr. Al-Monla also called on the graduates to "embark on new experiences with confidence, continue learning, and not view failure as a defeat," emphasizing that integrity, discipline, commitment, and values form the foundation of success. He urged them to invest in knowledge, leadership, and creativity, noting that difficult conditions in Lebanon could turn into an opportunity for a new generation to drive change.
In this context, Mr. Al-Monla highlighted the project to rehabilitate and operate the René Mouawad (Kleiat) Airport, noting that the airport's significance extends beyond being an infrastructure project, as it presents an opportunity to connect North Lebanon to the world, attract investments and tourists, and create job opportunities.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing that "graduation is not the end of the road," calling on the graduates to have confidence in themselves, whether they choose to travel abroad to gain expertise or remain to contribute to building Lebanon.
At the conclusion of the event, the University President awarded Mr. Ziad Al-Monla the University's Commemorative Shield as a token of appreciation and loyalty. University degrees were then presented to the graduates and top achievers, after which the graduate stands erupted in celebration and fireworks.