PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
Email: mira@haigazian.edu.lb

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.