The graduation ceremony for the classes of 2023 and 2024 gathered 1250 people including 70 leaders of business, industry, trade, economics and logistics as well as members of Parliament representing the areas of Jbeil, Kesewan, Maten, Tripoli, Koura, Zgharta and Akkar. In attendance also were 55 school officials and representatives of the civil society.
During commencement, AUT recognized a Lebanese success story in the person of Malia Group Founder and Chairman Mr Jacques Sarraf who was granted a doctorate honoren causa by AUT president Ghada Hinain.
Public service was recognized through the Director General of the Water Authority- EBML- Mr Jean Gebrane who received an award from the hands of President Hinain.
Members of the Advisory Board from Indevco, Maila, Aramex, Gezairi, Prunelle, Tannourine Water, The Net Global, Hallab, The Diet Center, EMCO, NextIdeaz, Addmind, Crepaway were also thanked for their contributions to the various AUT curricula design.
Alumnus Mohammed Al Akkoumi was recognized as a Successful Alumnus and the audience watched SUNY Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf congratulate students enrolled in the joint program while University of London’s Director of the LLM program Dr Helen Xhantaki congratulated the lawyers that completed post-graduate studies in Laws including LLM and that received accolades from the British Council director Mayssa Dawi..
The University for the Third Age program and students were recognized through a video address by the president of AIUTA Professor Francois Vellas.
All three foreign speakers could not travel to Lebanon and sent videotaped addresses.
Students also watched student valedictorians Joe Khoury and Doris Hourani share their experience studying at AUT.
Out of the 380 graduates, 165 were present on stage (the remaining graduates being abroad) and received their diplomas.
The ceremony included wonderful musical interludes with soprano and conductor Rima Tawil who came from Paris specially for the occasion accompanied by 18 musicians from the Lebanon Philharmonic Orchestra and the NDU choir led by Father Khalil Rahme..
A reception for the 1250 parents and guests followed the ceremony.
