PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon
Beirut, December 15, 2004
Haigazian University inaugurates the automation of its Library.
Haidostian: Partnerships encourage excellence and knowledge; help the weak
and needy;
close the gaps among peoples, classes and hearts.
On December 15, 2004, the president of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian, and the mission director of the United States Agency for
International Development in Lebanon, Mr. Raouf Youssef, inaugurated the
automation of the Haigazian University Library, in the presence of the
minister of youth and sports, Dr. Sebouh Hovnanian, the president of The
Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Meguerditch
Karagoezian, vice governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Mr. Alain
Balian, members of the board of trustees, faculty and press representatives.
The ceremony started with a welcome speech by the Director of Public
Relations of the university, Mrs. Mira Yardemian, who highlighted the
importance of technology in learning, the proliferation of electronic
knowledge, and the transition from paper to digitized information.
In his word, the president of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian pointed out that the project of the library automation was the
fruit of a partnership between Haigazian University and the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID). He explained the meaning of
partnership as two entities that enjoy separate identities and resources
which go through a process of joining forces for better and fuller
existence, where truth, freedom and service abide. This is applicable to
this partnership, since on one hand, Haigazian University and its libraries
with their 80,000 volumes, rare books and periodicals have nurtured
generations of young people in the past 50 years, and on the other hand,
the noble ideals of the Unite States constitution, pave the way for just
relationships, free minds and consciences.
Then the mission director of the United States Agency for International
Development, Mr. Raouf Youssef, addressed the audience, by noting that this
partnership will benefit more than 750 students in Haigazian University,
and the automation will promote information technology, manage and exchange
knowledge between educational institutions in Lebanon and abroad. He hoped
that Haigazian University will continue to further develop this project and
other projects that will prepare to endow educated professional citizens to
have responsibility in leadership and in the contribution of the Lebanese
socio-economic development.
Afterwards the audience had a tour in the 2 libraries, the English and the
Armenian. Mr. Raouf Youssef was especially touched when he saw a copy of
the first Armenian Bible published in 1666 in Amsterdam by Voskan Yerevantzi.
A reception followed.