Latest news with #AUB
Web Release
9 hours ago
- General
- Web Release
AUB Alumni Reunion 2025: Honoring Legacy, Celebrating Community
American University of Beirut (AUB) alumni, along with families and friends, came together to celebrate the AUB Alumni Reunion 2025 through a series of meaningful events held between June 19 and 21. While the annual reunion is a cherished tradition for AUB graduates, it holds special significance for alumni celebrating their 25th, 50th, or more-than-55-year anniversaries. These milestone classes are formally honored during a ceremony at AUB Assembly Hall, which marks the official launch of a three-day reunion celebration. During the Honoring Ceremony, Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni Relations, and University Events Salma Dannawi Oueida welcomed the guests with moving remarks. 'This bond between you and AUB isn't tied to a graduation year; it's something deeper. It's the quiet pride you feel when you hear of a student breaking barriers. It's the comfort of seeing old classmates and knowing that this place still feels like home. As we look around this room, we see more than alumni. We see torchbearers. Bridge builders. Guardians of a legacy,' she said. In his keynote address, AUB President Fadlo Khuri reflected on the university's enduring mission and future direction: 'We're proud of the impactful AUB education that we provide—and our extraordinary alumni—but it's not enough. Our university must do more for the communities beyond our walls. And that is what we are doing. We are transforming, introducing new programs—even new faculties—while holding tight to the values that have made this institution great.' Khuri also shared updates from campus and affirmed the essential role of alumni: 'There have been some changes at your alma mater. But some things do not change. At the top of that list is the importance of our alumni—of all of you: You lead, you inspire, you innovate, and you give back—so that others may have life and have it more abundantly. You have stepped up time and time again in support of our abiding mission: to serve the peoples of Lebanon, the Middle East, and beyond to the greatest of our abilities. Thank you.' Keynote speaker Hussein Ammar, representing alumni celebrating their 50th year graduation anniversaries, delivered a poignant reflection. A 1975 graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Ammar built a successful career managing construction companies in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. A founding member of the AUB Alumni Chapter in Jeddah, he has remained closely connected to the university as a mentor to graduates and a loyal, generous donor. 'We celebrate today our graduation from 50 years ago; and it would be remiss not to reflect on how those years affected our beloved Lebanon,' he said. 'We endured a civil war, wars of others on our land, and external control that has gripped our country and regressed it to levels unimaginable. None of us graduating in 1975 could have anticipated what ensued. We were pioneers and we have fallen far behind.' He continued by highlighting AUB's enduring role through decades of turmoil: 'While all this transpired, AUB has persevered, affirming its noble mission. AUB has continued to be a beacon of learning and open thought in Lebanon, in the Arab world, and beyond. It has stood as a moral compass and safe haven in the face of unimaginable adversity. It has continued to bring Lebanese and Arab students from all walks of life, all religions and all political affinities into one common space—a space for debate, for listening, for learning, for growth. AUB is a microcosm of what Lebanon could be.' Class of 2000 keynote speaker Dana Hussein Ammar (BBA '00) represented alumni marking their 25th graduation anniversary. A strategic business and brand consultant, she also runs a motherhood mentorship platform and has over 20 years of experience spanning global corporations, social impact ventures, and food retail startups. She comes from a distinguished multi-generational AUB family and is the daughter of Class of 1975 speaker Hussein Ammar. 'To think that my father, mother, and I sat under the same trees and walked the same steps on this campus, gives all the more meaning and exemplifies the longstanding legacy and sacredness of our alma mater,' she said. Looking to the future, she pointed to the power of alumni to make a difference: 'Having shared precious years and memories on this campus, we now have the privileged position to impact and give back. Some will aid students financially, others through mentorships, grants, opportunity building, and the like—the bravest even get into politics. All of it is vastly appreciated by the communities we support.' The Honoring Ceremony featured the distribution of medals to members of the celebrated senior classes. It concluded with a group photo of the iconic AUB Main Gate stairs and a lively reception at the Assembly Hall Plaza. Festivities continued on campus with the annual Alumni Party featuring Alecco and his band, where hundreds of alumni, joined by their families and friends, enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere and high-energy evening. On the following evening, more than 2,000 attendees gathered at the AUB Green Oval for an unforgettable evening under the stars. The atmosphere was electric as Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram lit up the stage with her timeless hits, and the crowd sang along in pure joy. The concert was a beautiful mix of nostalgia, energy, and pride—bringing together alumni, students, families, and friends for a magical night that perfectly captured the spirit of AUB Reunion. All proceeds from the concert will go toward supporting the class reunion scholarship fund, reinforcing the event's mission of giving back and empowering future generations. The reunion weekend concluded on a warm and joyful note with a family day trip, where alumni explored Lebanon's natural beauty and created new memories with loved ones.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Khuri joins global knowledge elite
TDT | Manama A rare honour for Arab academic leadership is drawing global attention to the region's growing influence in higher education. Dr Fadlo R. Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut (AUB), has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, placing him among a select group of global thought leaders from across disciplines. Founded in 1780 by U.S. Founding Fathers, the Academy includes historic names like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Dr Khuri's induction into its latest class in Educational and Academic Leadership marks a symbolic breakthrough for the Arab world's academic institutions, which are increasingly being recognised on the international stage. Leadership under pressure Khuri's election is not just symbolic. It comes after a decade in which he steered AUB through Lebanon's economic crisis, the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while spearheading major institutional reforms. Under his leadership, AUB reinstated academic tenure, launched AUB Online, and opened AUB Mediterraneo, its first campus outside Lebanon. The university also saw a sharp rise in international rankings. 'This recognition belongs to all of us who have worked together through some of the most trying times in our university's history,' Dr Khuri said, crediting former AUB Board Chair Philip S. Khoury for his nomination. He added with personal pride, 'My mother will no doubt be thrilled that I was elected in the same class as Gloria Steinem, one of her heroes and one of feminism's greatest champions.' Wider impact Chairman of AUB's Board of Trustees, Abdo G. Kadifa, said Khuri's recognition was a reflection of his commitment to excellence and service. 'Under his guidance, AUB has not only survived but grown, against all odds,' he noted. Academy President Laurie L. Patton said the newest members demonstrate 'the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership, and persistence' across disciplines. 'We invite every new member to join us in our work to promote the common good,' she said. Dr Khuri's recognition marks a new chapter in how Arab academic leadership is seen, and increasingly valued, by the world's top institutions.
Al Bawaba
6 days ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
AUB Press Hosts Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair
As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, AUB Press hosted a discussion titled 'The Arabic language: Its History, Present, and Future' featuring renowned Arabic Language professor Ramzi Baalbaki in conversation with Malek Chaker and Amina Sleiman. The event was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair and organized in collaboration with the Center for Arts and Humanities at the American University of Beirut (AUB).The discussion touched upon various topics related to the Arabic language. Baalbaki spoke about the history of Arabic and its emergence before the revelation of the Qur'an, highlighting its presence in Arabic poetry and popular proverbs (ahadith). He explained how, by the time of the Qur'an's revelation, the Arabic corpus had become rich and well-established, with its collection largely ceasing by the end of the second Hijri then engaged with this corpus, bringing to light its morphological and syntactic features—particularly its patterns (awzān). In this context, Baalbaki pointed out the distinctive differences that set Arabic apart from its sister Semitic languages as well as from foreign languages. Baalbaki also spoke about his new book Mukawimat al-Nazariyah al-Lughawwiya al-Arabiyya, in which he demonstrated the coherence of the linguistic theory and the comprehensiveness of its components. This, he argued, highlights the uniqueness of the Arabic language and the elements of wisdom embedded in its structures and morphological patterns. He compared this theory with scientific theories—specifically, the theory of dimensions in physics—to affirm the validity of the linguistic framework established by early grammarians. Through this, they provided explanations for every structure, and thus the term gharīb (the obscure or unusual) in the language discussion also touched on the relationship between Classical Arabic and the various colloquial dialects. Baalbaki emphasized the strong connection between them, refuting any notion of conflict or hostility, as each borrows certain words and structures from the conversation addressed the current state of the Arabic language and its place among its native speakers. Baalbaki pointed to the number of Arabic speakers and the language's presence on social media, expressing concern over the weakening use of Arabic among its speakers and their tendency to resort to foreign languages to express their ideas. Therefore, he offered some advice on how to preserve the language—especially within academia. The event was attended by political and social figures, as well as a number of linguists and scholars of the humanities from various Arab countries. The discussion was rich and full of insights that inspire a love for the Arabic language and reveal the depths of its genius and its ability to convey meaning with remarkable precision through carefully chosen words. It also showcased a range of syntactic structures that are unique to Arabic.
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Côte d'Ivoire Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé Opens 16th African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) General Assembly in Abidjan
Abidjan hosted the opening of the 16th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) ( on June 19, 2025. The ceremony, held under the high patronage of Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, brought together a plethora of distinguished guests, including ambassadors, directors-general, ministers, academics, media professionals, students, and civil society members from around the world. Under the impactful theme "Developing Media: Strategies for Financial and Technological Resilience, and Innovative Content," this assembly promises crucial discussions for the future of the African media landscape. In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Mambé highlighted the essential role of media in societal transformation: "Media represents a true opportunity for our country. We are counting on you to preserve and strengthen this asset, through the consultation framework offered to you. It is from this dialogue that the right answers to our questions will emerge." This was a clear call for collaboration and the search for collective solutions. For Cléophas Barore, President of the AUB Executive Council, the funding challenge is omnipresent: "The financing of production and broadcasting remains a daily struggle. These challenges are marked by resource scarcity, fierce competition from new media, information multinationals, and many others." This observation underscores the urgent need for innovation in a constantly evolving media environment. Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, for his part, urged broadcasters to embrace new media to better capture the African audience. "With the AUB, your Union, I urge you to work tirelessly to sustainably retain the African audience, in its diversity, by notably taking into account new communication and broadcasting channels such as social media, streaming, OTT, and podcasts, by innovating and valuing local content, our historical, cultural, tourist, and socio-economic values. I commit you to this!" he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the promotion of local content in the face of information globalization. The productive first day also featured a visit to the exhibition stands, offering participants the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in content creation and to forge partnerships. The 16th AUB General Assembly continues on June 20, 2025, with the Union's statutory proceedings and the Awards ceremony. Grégoire NDJAKA Director General Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union of Broadcasting (AUB).
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bournemouth's St Peter's church lights up to trial arts project
The interior of a Bournemouth church has been illuminated as part of a trial for an arts project telling the history and culture of the at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) are working with visual arts company Light Art Creatives on a plan to have animation, theatre and film projected onto St Peter's Church in the town hope to have a permanent projection mapping system installed at the church, renowned for being the final resting place of Mary Shelley, the author of warden Jane MacDonald said it "brings to life" the history of the area. Julian Dorrell, director at Light Art Creatives, said the idea came about after a trip to Montréal in Canada, which has outdoor video-projection installations on walls, buildings, alleys and trees throughout the said: "I wanted to bring some of that magic to Bournemouth." Having looked at to how and where he could make the idea work, St Peter's expressed an is currently working with AUB to prove it is a viable concept before applying for funding and sponsorship, including a National Lottery bid. Second year BA (Hons) animation production student Bryony Smith said: "It's so unusual to see your animation anywhere other than your own screen."So seeing it not only out in the world, but placed onto a historic building was really wonderful."Jane MacDonald, parish warden at St Peter's, said: "We are delighted to be able to showcase these incredibly talented artists in this magical way."It brings to life the cultural heritage of the past whilst hopefully inspiring the artists, writers and musicians of the future."An event to showcase the idea to the local community is being planned for the autumn. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
