PRESS RELEASE
From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1
Haigazian University Celebrates its Founders’ Day
Haidostian: All fine culture is fundamentally intercultural
Beirut, October14, 2008- Haigazian University honored Minister of
Culture Mr. Tammam Salam for his contributions to the enrichment of
society, during its Founders’ Day celebration, on October 13, 2008, in
the presence of the President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical
Churches of the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karagoezian, Minister Jean
Oghassabian, foreign embassies representatives, Board members, faculty,
staff and students.
After the processional march, and the Lebanese National Anthem, the
ceremony started with the invocation offered by the new Campus Minister,
Rev. Greg Lee-Parker, followed by a power point presentation, "Tribute
to the Founders", delivered by the Dean of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Arda
Ekmekji,
Ekmekji highlighted the factors which lead to the foundation of the
University 53 years ago, and the founding institutions, the Union of
Armenian Evangelical Churches of the Near East (UAECNE), and the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). Ekmekji proudly
announced that on its 54th year, Haigazian University stepped into a new
phase of development and growth, by signing a historic partnership with
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to
finance scholarships, as well as by starting the refurbishment project
of the recently acquired heritage building which will end by early 2010.
As an annual tradition, Student Life Director, Antranik Dakessian
presented Student of the Year 2008, Mr. Antranig Ketchejian who
confidently invited the students to "seize the day, and live their lives
the way it’s meant to be lived."
Ketchedjian called upon the students to derive through the legacy of the
Founders, their powerful ideals of choice, responsibility and belief.
Ketchejian concluded by saying that university life could be lived to
its utmost, by "giving equal weight, time, and dedication to the
academic and the social life at the university."
After a short musical interlude, a piano duet, "Sabre Dance" of Aram
Khatchadourian, graciously performed by the Panjarian sisters, Loucine
and Tsoler, the President of the University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian
delivered an inspiring speech "On Profit and Culture".
Haidostian highlighted the two major characteristics of Haigazian
University: its "not-for -profit" and "intercultural" aspect.
Haidostian considered that one of the challenges of Haigazian
University, is its "not-for -profit" aspect, and eventually its need of
resources to continue and develop and serve. He reiterated the fact that
profit at Haigazian is determined by "the degree of edification,
harmony, dialogue, selflessness, goodness, creativity, balance, and
wisdom that we can conceive in our midst. It is in the image of a loving
God that we live out."
Haidostian also introduced the notion of "culture" at Haigazian
University, referring back to the founding of the institution "as an
intercultural enterprise, Armenians from Lebanon and the USA,
envisioning a dynamic partnership."
"All fine culture is fundamentally intercultural. Intercultural does not
mean lack of culture or diluted culture or confused culture. Rather it
means good communication, learning, and sharing", Haidostian concluded.
Guest of Honor, Minister of Culture, Mr. Tammam Salam addressed the
audience by expressing his pride and gratitude of being a Haigazian
student.
Salam considered that the main element in the Founders’ vision was "a
call to undergo a revolution of values, shifting from a thing-oriented
society, to a person-oriented society." In the same context, Salam
explained how the term "capacity building" is no more used. Instead it
is been replaced by "capacity replenishment" and "capacity replacement".
Salam extended his commitment, as a minister of culture to provide
Haigazian University and similar ones, with his support in promoting
national awareness, so that the University becomes "a place of hope, of
excitement, of discovery, a campus that is characterized by a sense of
promise and pride, purpose and accomplishment".
Afterwards, President Haidostian along with Vice-Chair of the Board,
Rev. Robert Sarkissian presented the minister a plaque of appreciation
for his endeavors to the enrichment of society.
The program concluded with everyone singing the University’s Alma Mater.