July 2005 has been a celebratory month for BCU, where both Beirut and Jadra campuses held their graduation ceremonies. The first ceremony took place on July 12, 2005 at Jadra where 212 graduates gathered from all BCU campuses with the exception of Beirut Campus. This graduation was attended by dignitaries, officials, faculty, and the graduates’ families who witnessed a memorable event marking yet another transition into the workforce. The ceremony began with an eye-catching procession of graduates as they ascended towards upper campus onto a well-built platform overlooking the audience and a view of sunset. This was followed by the national anthem and then a one minute silence was called for by Ms. Soha Al Masri, graduation host, in memory of martyred Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. After Ms. Masri welcomed the audience and thanked all those who contributed in any way possible to the graduation of these students, she went on to introduce the valedictorian Sobhie Awad
who gave her commencement speech amidst an atmosphere of
positive reception and undivided attention.
Mr. Majed Al Zein, BCU Vice President of Board of Trustees, then proceeded to deliver his speech that received unanimous approval from the audience. The final speech was delivered by BCU Chancellor Dr. Adnan Hamzeh who stressed on the importance of knowledge and how BCU graduates can help make the future better for Lebanon especially during these turbulent times. Dr. Hamzeh warned the graduates against sectarianism despite its many double-edged virtues: “shun sectarianism even if it opens doors for you, for it will eventually destroy you and all you have worked for”. The highlight of this event was the distribution of degrees, where BCU President Dr. Mostafa Hamzeh granted all the graduates their certificates to the future. The audience applause escorted the students as they descended to collect their degrees and mounted the platforms again,
and as the last
degree
was collected a portrait of colors erupted as the dazzling
fireworks lit Jadra sky. Once the ceremony was officially brought to end, students hurried to take individual and family portraits on campus, which provided picture-perfect scenery. The graduates along with the faculty and organizing staff later celebrated their hard work at Janna Sur Mer Dammour.
One week later and specifically on July 19, 2005, Beirut Campus held its graduation ceremony at the UNESCO Palace under the Patronage of Chief of State President Emile Lahud. The President was represented by Minister of Justice Charles Rizk who attended the ceremony and delivered a speech on his behalf. Other officials attending the ceremony included Mr. Nabih Berri, Head of the National Assembly, who was represented by the Deputy Yassin Jaber, Head of Government Prime Minister Najib Mikati was represented by Minister of Culture Tarek Mitri and the General Secretary of Hizbullah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was represented by Dr. El Hajj Hussein El Hajj Hasan. Minsters Mahmoud Abdel Khalek and Assad Diab, Members of Parliament Naser Nasrallah, Marwan Fares, Nawar Sahelli and Hasan Ya’koub were also present with other dignitaries and other officials.
After the national anthem, the graduation host Ms. Soha Al Masri welcomed those present and went on to introduce the “Martyred Prime Minister Rafic Hariri Scholarship”. This was followed by Minister of Justice Charles Rizk speech who spoke generously of BCU’s accomplishments and efforts towards incorporating quality assurance education. He further spoke of his appreciation for the initiatives BCU took for ensuring jobs for its graduates, which reached almost 80% in the hospitality major, where such an effort is an attempt at balancing graduates and job vacancies. Mr. Rizk reflected on the importance of joint coordination between the private and public sectors to guarantee job opportunities for all graduates and reduce, if not at all eliminate, the intellectual immigration represented in the young educated generation.
Valedictorian Mohammad Ali Al Ajami then delivered his commencement speech which was followed by the prudent words of Dr. Robert Nasr, BCU International Relations and Research Coordinator. The ceremony reached its pinnacle point when Chancellor Dr. Adnan Hamzeh delivered his speech, where he urged graduates to consider knowledge as the key to experience and ultimately to life. Rebuilding is this generation’s responsibility where they represent the light and soul of society, and in turn reach freedom from past and present circumstances. This poignant speech ended by turning a new page in the graduates lives, a page towards their future, towards the future of this country, towards a new beginning for them and those generations yet to come. President Dr. Mostafa Hamzeh, Chancellor Dr. Adnan Hamzeh and Head of Student Affairs Dr. Ziad Bikdache then proceeded to distribute the degrees in an atmosphere of utmost enthusiasm. The ceremony came to an end when the last degree was collected and the stage was suddenly poured with falling trimmings that replaced actual fireworks due to the locations’ constraints. Later that evening, the graduates, faculty and administrators attended the graduation prom at Janna Beit Meri.
