• The Lebanese German University at ‘Beirut: World Book Capital’

Throughout its academic year 2009-2010, the Lebanese German University participated in ‘Beirut: World Book Capital’ by organizing three different events that contributed to the educational assistance and social welfare of a forgotten part of our Lebanese community. Through the Christmas party held at LGU campus on December 22, hosting over 120 little orphans from various Lebanese regions and communities, a visit to ‘DAR SAYEDET ALNAJAT’, an old people’s home on February 25, and another visit to St. John Baptist School of the Antonines Sisters on March 30, LGU students and personnel developed a spirit of empathy towards the less fortunate by offering them gifts, treats, and books, and organizing many activities to cheer them up and help them enjoy the festivities of the occasions. The events also instilled a sense of culture and appreciation of reading in the hearts and minds of those children and old people who spent emotionally stirring and memorable moments with LGU students and personnel.

• THE EUROPEAN UNION AT LGU

The Lebanese German University – LGU, in collaboration with the Lebanese European Union and the Kulturzentrum, hosted a conference by Patrick Laurent, Head of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, and Luis Prados Covarrubias, First Consul at the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon, on May 12, 2010, at LGU campus in Sahel Alma. The conference was attended by several ambassadors and cultural attachés representing various European embassies, as well as a host of political and military figures. The speakers stressed the importance of promoting cultural and social relations between Lebanon and the European Union and the role of Lebanon as link between East and West in view of the wealth of its social, religious, and cultural components. Stressing the importance of the European Union on the economic and cultural levels, Mr. Laurent highlighted the significance of the Euro and its impact on the 500 million Europeans whose GDP has been one of the highest in the world. He also outlined the operational processes characterizing the European institutions and the role of the Lisbon Treaty in providing the Union with unusual flexibility on security, environmental, and social matters. He also discussed action plans to assist Lebanon in conforming to international and European norms by implementing reforms on its political, institutional, and social levels.

• AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEBANESE GERMAN UNIVERSITY AND THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FRENCH MUTUAL INSURANCE IN COLLABORATION WITH SORBONNE UNIVERSITY– PARIS 1

The Lebanese German University signed a convention on June 14, 2010 with the National Federation of French Mutual Insurance, in collaboration with Sorbonne University, Paris 1, in the presence of a host of political and military figures, local businessmen, managers of insurance companies and mutual funds, and representatives from various hospitals.

During the conference, Dr. Fawzi Adaimi, President of the Board of Trustees, stressed the importance of this unique agreement – a precedent between a Lebanese university and the French Federation – and the opportunity it offers students wishing to major in insurance studies and receiving diplomas related to this field. Mr. Jean Pierre Davant, President of the National Federation of French Mutual Funds, talked about the objectives and frame of the tripartite collaboration as well as its action plan. He congratulated LGU on being so determined in developing first-rate academic programs as those implemented in renowned European universities. In turn, Mr. Ghassan Daou, President of the Union of Mutual Funds in Lebanon, spoke about the various reforms that should be implemented in the health sector in Lebanon and the close collaboration that should be developed between mutual funds and the Social Security on the one hand and the Ministry of Health on the other. He urged universities to do what it takes to be able to supply the market with highly qualified graduates and trainees in the field of mutual insurance in order to meet the increasing demand for mutual funds in the future. Dr. Ahmad ElJammal, Director of Higher Education, closed the conference by stressing the importance of quality academic programs and internal and external evaluation prior to granting accreditation to universities. He also emphasized the need for urgent reforms and stricter laws regarding higher education establishments in Lebanon and urged universities to benefit from the opportunities that are offered through agreements with reputable European institutions, noting that such cooperation would help develop quality programs and set up high certification standards in Lebanese universities.