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L'Orient-Le Jour
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Lebanese woman wins speech contest at Panthéon-Sorbonne University
At the end of April, one hour before the contest final, Marianne Saghbini was ready to face her competitors. "I was on the steps of the Panthéon, rehearsing my speech over and over again in front of my friends, who must have heard it at least forty times!" she said. When the moment arrived under the Panthéon's dome, this 20-year-old speaker distinguished herself among the French and international competitors. Following the final arguments, the jury awarded her the Revelation Prize, alongside three other students who were granted the Grand Prize, the AUF Inspiration Prize and the Public Prize. "I have worked hard in recent years to acquire oratory skills and reach this level where I feel comfortable speaking in public, projecting my voice, and most importantly, making sure I am heard. So, winning this prize is a form of international validation of my work. It's also a source of pride to have represented Lebanon and my university, pride in myself as well, in my own journey and my learning," stated Saghbini, who had just earned her degree in political science from Saint Joseph University. Winner of the 2024 9th edition of the International Francophone Debate Championship at USJ, organized in partnership with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie in the Middle East, she was automatically qualified for the second round of the International Speech Contest and then took part in the semi-final. Organized by Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, this competition brought together students from that university and, thanks to the partnership with AUF, international contestants. Each candidate had to convince and persuade the audience and the jury with their speech, illustrating the art of rhetoric. The finalists had to take on two challenges: one on a topic assigned by the organizers, and the other on a subject they had to choose themselves. During the debate on the assigned topic, tackling the problem, "Is suffering necessary for success?" Saghbini had to defend the negative answer, a duel she won. For the second part of the final, she chose to give praise to nothing. "I thought this subject could be funny!" she exclaimed. What captivated her was the ability of the topic to make people laugh and surprise them, allowing her to infuse a touch of irony into her speech. "With praise for nothing, no one is going to expect what I'll say, since there's nothing to say as such. I can give a definition, but it will only answer itself, since defining nothing ultimately means having nothing," she amusedly recalled, admitting that she enjoyed playing with this ambiguity. "The more I worked on the topic, the more interested I became. I ended up concluding my speech with the idea that nothing is, in the end, everything, and being content with nothing is also having everything. So praising nothing is inherently praising everything. It was an interesting subject, but also quite complicated to work with, which ultimately paid off." One of the keys to a successful speech: making the audience react Accustomed to parliamentary debates with a political tone based on factual information, she quickly realized at the time of the semi-final that she needed to change her approach for this contest. "The biggest challenge was succeeding in integrating the codes of this type of debate. I had to watch competitions from past years and understand their way of debating to learn how to do it," she said. She explained that it was more about "being able to raise or lower your voice, to make the audience cry or laugh," before adding that it's about putting on a performance, hoping for the audience's validation. "So it was important for me to integrate these techniques into my speech, and finally, I think it worked out rather well, because I saw a lot of smiles," she stated, convinced that one of the keys to a successful speech is making the audience react. "I understood that in eloquence competitions, it's important to play on emotions," such as moving from laughter to tragedy and vice versa. Having won the Revelation Prize, Saghbini believes that different skills contributed to this success. During the speech-writing phase, what was necessary was both thorough research and the ability to reflect, and a flair for language characterized by mastery of wordplay, an ironic and humorous tone, as well as a kind of self-mockery. She said that it was also essential to have "a critical mind, about yourself as well as about what you write, to spot flaws in your writing and reasoning," to anticipate possible jury criticism. As for the presentation, it requires "self-control and emotional mastery, being able to calm your nerves," when facing "an audience watching, a jury judging, and teammates who also want to win." At the same time, "being able to play with vocal intonation, hand movements, and body language" was necessary. In short, it was about having "oratory skills and a good presentation of yourself and your speech." The art of eloquence: a matter of transmission From the first year of her political science degree, Saghbini joined the debate club, through which she participated in several training sessions to prepare for inter-faculty competitions. "I remember my first training, where I couldn't even speak for two minutes on an assigned topic, I was shaking so much. As I participated more in the annual competitions, I ended up winning the prize in my third year. There is a big difference between my first debating experience and now, when I can speak in front of 200 people with complete ease," she said. Her interest in debates dates back to high school, when she started a philosophical debate club with the help of her teacher. Inspired by the people she met in her surroundings, from relatives to people she met on the street, as well as her university professors, by their way of speaking and interacting with others, Saghbini wanted to clarify how she views eloquence. "I'm a little afraid that eloquence will be seen as something elitist. For me, eloquence is the taxi driver who can discuss a political topic with good arguments, it's the corner shopkeeper who knows how to sell his products, etc. We Lebanese manage to express ourselves and play on emotions to reach our goals," she stated. She also explained that she was inspired by Dominique de Villepin's speech at the U.N. at the start of the Iraq war. "It struck me in particular, both in what he defended and in his way of expressing it. His speech is always present in my mind. It made me want to develop those same oratorical skills and to build a dialogue where listening and expression are at the heart of the subject," she said. This year, the awardee acted as organizer, jury member and moderator of the 10th edition of the International Francophone Debate Championship at USJ, having served as general secretary of the university's debate club during her final undergraduate year. "It was the beginning of a new journey where I was supporting and guiding students," stated the young woman, always ready to "teach others the skills of eloquence and debate, to help them improve their abilities and pass the torch on." Later, in her academic journey or career, she believes that her acquired skills will always be useful to her. "Eloquence is so broad that it doesn't apply just to an academic or professional setting. Whatever path I take, I will always use the art of eloquence and also try my best to share it with those around me," she said. Une Libanaise lauréate d'un concours d'éloquence de l'université Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Web Release
03-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Roche Lebanon and Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital and Saint Joseph University in Beirut Extend Strategic Memorandum of Understanding
In line with its mission of 'Doing now what patients need next,' Roche Lebanon SARL has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital (HSF) and Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut. The signing ceremony, held at the hospital premises in Beirut, reaffirmed the strength of this strategic alliance aimed at elevating the healthcare sector in Lebanon through sustained collaboration. The renewed MoU further anchors a framework of joint initiatives across a range of priority areas, including innovation and research, medical education, patient experience and support, medical tourism, and digitization and technology. It also marks an expansion of the collaboration into new disease areas and within the broader network of HDF/ USJ-affiliated institutions. The memorandum was signed by Professor Salim Daccache s.j., Rector of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut; Dr. Carole Hassoun, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals Levant; and Mr. Nassib Nasr, General Manager of Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital. 'Signing this memorandum for a second year is a privilege and a testament to the strength of our shared belief that we can improve human health through partnership,' said Dr. Carole Hassoun. 'The foundation of trust and synergy we've built with Hôtel-Dieu de France and Saint Joseph University over the past year has been invaluable. We are driven by the idea that the rigorous pursuit of science can transform lives, and as we deepen our collaboration, we will continue to combine our expertise to push boundaries and bring breakthrough healthcare solutions to patients in Lebanon.' Sharing this enthusiasm, Professor Salim Daccache said: 'We are extremely satisfied with the partnership with Roche. This renewal underscores the long-term vision of all parties to foster a culture of continuous learning and research excellence in Lebanon. It also opens new avenues for cross-disciplinary collaboration, ensuring that future healthcare solutions are both cutting-edge and locally relevant.' Highlighting the practical success of the collaboration, Mr. Nassib Nasr added, 'This MoU goes beyond a simple partnership. Its strength lies in the dynamism, efficiency, and professionalism of the teams involved, and in the variety of interactive and productive committees from both sides that have enabled us to bring these pillars to life.' The renewed agreement highlights the shared belief that meaningful progress in the industry requires collective effort. In an increasingly complex and evolving healthcare landscape—especially amid Lebanon's current challenges—collaboration between academia and medical institutions is more critical than ever. By joining forces, Roche and Hôtel-Dieu de France / Saint-Joseph University of Beirut reaffirm their commitment to co-developing solutions that are innovative, patient-centered, and sustainable. These partnerships enable the alignment of science, clinical expertise, and real-world implementation, paving the way for healthcare advancements that better serve patients and strengthen the overall system. For more than 75 years, Roche Lebanon has been instrumental in strengthening the country's healthcare landscape. In the face of ongoing challenges in Lebanon and the wider region, the company remains firmly dedicated to building meaningful partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. By harnessing its expertise and innovative capabilities, Roche continues to deliver impactful solutions that support both patients and healthcare professionals. These collaborations not only aim to ensure the resilience and longevity of the healthcare system but also to reinforce Lebanon's role as a regional leader in medical advancement.
Mid East Info
22-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
In the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Legal Affairs, the winners of the Habib Al Mulla Academy Legal Research Writing Competition were announced
Habib Al Mulla Academy, in collaboration with LexisNexis and Saint Joseph University in Dubai, proudly held the awards ceremony of the first edition of the Habib Al Mulla Legal Writing Competition, a unique initiative aimed at empowering future legal minds and encouraging innovation in legislative writing. This morning's ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC was attended by legal professionals, academics, and competition finalists. The event concluded with an award presentation by Dr Juma Alfalasi from the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD), followed by closing remarks from Dr. Habib Al Mulla. We are pleased to announce the top three winners: Alia Al Marzouqi – First Place Abeer Shalish – Second Place Aseel Abu Shehab – Third Place The competition invited students from across the UAE to submit legal research papers focused on current legislative developments and innovative legal solutions. Participants were evaluated by a distinguished panel of legal academics and practitioners. It was also announced that the first-place prize has been increased to AED 20,000 in the second edition and that a new category has been introduced for legal research in the GCC countries.
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The winners of the Habib Al Mulla Academy Legal Research Writing Competition were announced
Dubai, UAE – Habib Al Mulla Academy, in collaboration with LexisNexis and Saint Joseph University in Dubai, proudly held the awards ceremony of the first edition of the Habib Al Mulla Legal Writing Competition, a unique initiative aimed at empowering future legal minds and encouraging innovation in legislative writing. This morning's ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC was attended by legal professionals, academics, and competition finalists. The event concluded with an award presentation by Dr Juma Alfalasi from the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD), followed by closing remarks from Dr. Habib Al Mulla. We are pleased to announce the top three winners: Alia Al Marzouqi – First Place Abeer Shalish – Second Place Aseel Abu Shehab – Third Place The competition invited students from across the UAE to submit legal research papers focused on current legislative developments and innovative legal solutions. Participants were evaluated by a distinguished panel of legal academics and practitioners. It was also announced that the first-place prize has been increased to AED 20,000 in the second edition and that a new category has been introduced for legal research in the GCC countries.
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Business as usual as Lebanon's traditional parties dominate municipal elections
Lebanon's municipal elections, staggered over recent weeks across the country, have ended with the results indicating it is business as usual for the country's ruling parties. The elections were supposed to have been held in 2022 – the last round was in 2016 – but were delayed three times for a variety of reasons from political bickering to the looming threat of an Israeli war. That they were largely smooth, ironically in the wake of that war, which Israel expanded nationwide last September, was in itself in a remarkable achievement in a country seeking a fresh start but still subject to Israeli attacks and occupation in the south. The process was not flawless – there were some reports of voting irregularities. There was also the occasional notable swing in certain districts and some surprise winners. But overall the results showed that Lebanon's traditional parties, who have far greater resources than independent candidates and can rely on their sectarian bases, retained their hold on power. 'The main lesson in these municipal elections is that it showed extraordinary resilience of the traditional establishment, sectarian Lebanese parties,' said Karim Bitar, a professor of International Relations at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. 'Most of them scored very well in their respective areas of influence.' The grip displayed by the traditional parties, many of which are usually opposed to each other, was best illustrated in Beirut when rival sectarian parties teamed up to form a single list described by Prof Bitar as a 'sort of unholy alliance'. The Christian-led Lebanese Forces and Kataeb Party teamed up with their foe Hezbollah and its Shiite ally the Amal Movement to form a single list and win. These respective sides normally spend their time deeply wary of each other. Prof Bitar said it was 'pretty ironic' to see these parties joining forces. 'When they get along, when they find a way to split the pie, everything goes well. This is what happened in the elections. But very rapidly we will see a return of the old divisions,' he said. The parties said it was done to respect confessional parity, an argument that has not necessarily convinced everyone. There are no confessional quotas in the municipal councils, unlike parliamentary elections where seats are divided up to reflect Lebanon's multitude of religious faiths. Reformists, who won around a dozens seats in the 2022 parliamentary election, were always likely to have a harder time working against an entrenched system in the municipal polls. Local elections normally have a lower turnout compared to parliamentary polls, making the task for newcomers harder. Lebanon seeks fresh start The elections were much needed; around a half of the 1,000 municipalities in Lebanon were essentially inactive or barely functional, such was the gap in time since the last election. 'We have a chance again to resume things at times when local authorities are really needed to the maximum. Regardless of the area or sect, everybody was able to express themselves and elect new teams,' said a senior official in the Lebanese Forces, parliament's largest political party. 'It's a major credit for the new administration,' the official said referring to the Lebanese government that took power this year. 'Democratic life should always be taking place and should never be disrupted. And it's an extra point in our [Lebanese Forces] favour that all the calls for delaying the elections were proven to misplaced,' the official added. Lebanon's MPs ended a two-and-half year political impasse in January by electing Joseph Aoun as head of state. The former army commander designated former International Court of Justice chief judge Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, with the two men seen as outside the traditional ruling classes and not the preferred option of Hezbollah. The new administration is regarded as having made positive steps in its first months, but faces a daunting task. Vast swathes of south Lebanon lie in ruins from Israel's bombardment last year. A low-level border conflict with Hezbollah, which broke out in parallel to Israel's war on Gaza, erupted overnight last September when Israel launched an all-out war on Lebanon, killing more than 4,000 people, wiping out much of Hezbollah's leadership and leaving huge parts of the country in ruins. Despite a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel emerging last November, the latter continues to strike south Lebanon on a daily basis and occupies five points of Lebanese territory. Hezbollah retains support The vote over the weekend in South Lebanon was an important test of Hezbollah's support base given its diminished strength and calls for its disarmament. It was one it passed, easily. Voter turnout was generally lower in south Lebanon, while no formal voting took place in some areas because the joint list between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement ran unopposed, such is its enduring popularity. 'Hezbollah paid with their blood, including Hassan [Nasrallah]' said Zainab Saideh, explaining why she continued to stand with the Lebanese political party and armed group, whose leader was assassinated by Israel in September. She made the comments after casting her ballot in Jwaya, a town 15km from the border that Israel targeted repeatedly. She no lives in a rented apartment because her house in the town was destroyed during the war. Some residents of the border villages that were completely destroyed cast their votes in nearby cities. While Israel is bombing south Lebanon on a daily basis, it appeared to relent for the elections on Saturday. 'Nothing happened, no security breaches and people were able to expresses themselves,' the Lebanese Forces official said. 'Most importantly, each municipality – which is the first public authority – they were able to reform again,' they added.
