Bou Saab calls on students to stay in Lebanon and change the status quo

Under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Elias Bou Saab, the Lebanese German University – LGU celebrated its 2015 commencement ceremony at Edde Sands, Jbeil on July 28 in the presence of the German ambassador, Mr. Christian Clages; LGU President, Dr. Faouzi Adaimi; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Alexander Najjar; and a host of political, religious, social, and military figures as well as deans of the various faculties, the academic and administrative staff, and the students’ families.

Following the Lebanese and German national anthems, LGU President, Dr. Faouzi Adaimi, welcomed the audience and congratulated the graduates. Then he reminded everyone of the prize awarded by the Ministry of Economy to LGU students for devising a system of traceability for meat and poultry. He also expressed LGU’s intention of creating a lab to examine all types of food in collaboration with the concerned ministries and institutions. In addition, he mentioned the recent agreement that was signed between LGU and Goethe Institute to launch a new program that awards a BA in German language teaching.

In turn, Attorney Alexander Najjar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, expressed his regrets at the situation Lebanon has reached, calling on graduates not to leave Lebanon but provide it with “new blood to heal and recover”. He stressed LGU’s intention to carry on its mission of developing its youths’ talents and competencies so that they would enter the professional field with unwavering steps. He also called on youths to be hopeful because society believes in them as “they are the yeast for a new Lebanon”, saying there is no future for Lebanon without them. He added that despite the severe crisis Lebanon is going through, the country desperately needs its youths’ creative and lively power to help fulfill all its people’s aspirations.

Mr. Christian Clages, ambassador of Germany in Lebanon, congratulated the graduates and praised their efforts. He reminded them that graduation is a turning point in their life and that university education should empower them to find their way on a personal and professional level. He stressed the obstacles and the challenges they will run into hoping they are well-equipped to face them with the knowledge they have acquired at university and the support of their families. He ended up addressing three wishes to the graduates. The first is to find the job that fulfills their dreams and aspirations, as the only way to succeed is to be doing a job they love. He also wished them to take things easy and never feel down if they fail to do what they want but keep on trying without being overly ambitious. Finally, he advised them to use their qualifications responsibly in their future career or in community life and always remember that every single step they make in life will have an impact on other individuals and on their government in a way they may not expect. He ended up reminding them to be ambitious but also socially sensitive and to use their influence to protect the powerless and their professional engagement to make their country a better place.

In turn, Minister Elias Bou Saab addressed the audience speaking about the efforts made by Dr. Faouzi Adaimi and his wife to promote culture in Lebanon. He also mentioned Lebanon’s current crisis due to internal and external problems. He called on students not to leave Lebanon but to stay and change the status quo, reminding that there would be many opportunities in the energy sector. He also stressed that political divergences should never be an obstacle before the progress and interests of Lebanon and the possibility of creating jobs for all Lebanese graduates. He also spoke about what partnership means and that all Lebanese should be convinced of a true and effective partnership. He also praised the armed forces for the particular role they play and called for all Lebanese to stand by these forces and work towards implementing the wage hike for the armed forces and the teachers. He finally warned graduates not to be influenced by politicians who set them against each other, saying that the army and the various religious bodies should bring people together not set them apart. He also saluted the armed forces for the efforts made to protect Lebanon from the threat of terrorism.

Following Minister Bou Saab’s speech, Dr. Faouzi Adaimi handed him a blazon in appreciation of the efforts he is making to uphold the academic level in Lebanon. Then the young graduates filed to receive their diplomas that were handed them by their respective faculty dean. Rita Njeim made a speech in the name of all new graduates, while student Tsolite Chahinian read out the oath meant for all graduates in the Nursing and Physical Therapy Departments. The ceremony ended with a gala dinner.