Continuing the celebration of its 25th anniversary, American University of Technology (AUT) organized a roundtable discussion titled “Educational Leadership in Times of Rapid Change” in Tripoli for schools located in North Lebanon. The event under the auspices and in presence of the Director-General of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Imad Al Ashkar, and was attended by the founding president of the university, Dr. Ghada Hinain, the president of the university, Professor Chafik Mokbel, the Vice President for International Relations, Mr. Marcel Hinain, as well as deans of faculties and directors of over 80 private and public educational institutions from the areas of Tripoli, Zgharta, Minieh, Dennieh, Koura and Bisharri.
The event commenced with the national anthem, followed by a speech from VP Hinain, who expressed gratitude to Imad Ashkar for his patronage of the event. He emphasized the significance of this gathering in understanding the challenges facing educational institutions. Mr. Hinain highlighted the necessity to adapt educational programs to meet students’ needs and provide them with future job opportunities.
In his address, the president of the university, Professor Chafik Mokbel, discussed the importance of collaboration between the school and university educational sectors, emphasizing the pivotal role of students in advancing education. He underscored the need to respond to rapid changes in science and technology, especially given the challenging economic conditions currently faced in Lebanon, noting the university’s readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to improve educational quality.
Meanwhile, Imad A lAshkar, the Director-General of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, raised questions about the readiness of educational curricula to keep pace with technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. He called for an examination of how these technologies could be integrated into educational practices. Ashkar stressed the importance of developing curricula and evaluations in alignment with market needs, preparing students for their futures in a rapidly changing world.
During the three round table discussions moderated by Dr Mohamed Daher, Dr Najib Gerges and Ms Nesrine Dannawi, a number of directors and educators provided input, emphasizing the necessity for flexibility in educational programs and collaboration between parents and school administrations to ensure the development of student skills. They highlighted the importance of focusing on competencies rather than solely on grades.
At the conclusion of the event, Imad Ashkar received a commemorative plaque from the university, underscoring the ongoing partnership between the university and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the pursuit of enhancing the quality of education in Lebanon.
AUT University remains committed to its educational mission by organizing such events, leading the way in the development of curricula and teaching methods that address the evolving needs of society and the labor market
