Haigazian University Board of Trustees Annual Meeting Held in Beirut

Beirut, May 17, 2010 – From April 30 to May 1, the Haigazian University Board of Trustees, coming together from the United States and Lebanon, conducted their annual meeting in Beirut, which this year coincided with the grand inauguration ceremony of the new Heritage Building as a valuable addition to the university campus.
During the intensive two days meetings, the Board listened to reports presented by the President, the deans and department heads. Many issues were discussed, such as continuous fundraising for the major capital projects including the new heritage building, the restructuring of the Board committees and sub-committees, in addition to the budget. In terms of steps towards academic development, the Board decided to boost and support University research and publications.
A day prior to the meetings, the members, most of them accompanied by their spouses, were able to witness the fruition of three years of hard work in the grand inauguration ceremony of the new Heritage Building of the University. The inauguration was under the high patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, represented by the Minister of Culture Mr. Selim Warde. The event also featured the unveiling of the plaque that revealed Sirpuhe Philibosian Conte Hall as the name of the multipurpose hall.
Following the ceremony, University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian hosted a dinner for board members and friends at the Golden Tulip Serenada Hotel in Hamra and on this special occasion the special recognition was made of Mr. Herair Mouradian for his long years of service and dedication as member and former chairman of the board.
The newly appointed Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) Mr. Levon Filian spoke of the mission of Haigazian University which upholds the academic, personal, national and spiritual aspects of education.
The Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Ashod Kocharian, highlighted the continued cooperation between Haigazian University and various universities in Armenia. He also expressed his heartfelt congratulations and offered an art book as a gesture of his appreciation to President Haidostian.
The US Ambassador to Lebanon, Ms. Michele Sison, shared her fondness for Haigazian University and proclaimed its efforts “truly worthy of admiration.” Emphasizing on the liberal arts education which promotes training of the mind, Sison praised Haigazian University as a place of “nurture and care.”
In his turn, President Haidostian thanked the board for their dedication and focused on the multidimensional identity of Haigazian University. He expressed his pride at the university’s goal of cultivating people in general, and supporting the Armenians in the Diaspora and the Lebanese community in particular. He also stressed on the university’s values and its Christian vocation to serve people of all backgrounds and denominations.
The board members and their spouses also had the chance to enjoy an outing and visit the statue of St. Mary in Harissa. The outing concluded with a wonderful dinner at the new high end Lebanese restaurant Babel.


Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director