Haigazian University
From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
Haigazian University’s 47th Commencement Ceremonies
On Friday, June the 29th, 2006, Haigazian University graduated a record
number of 142 students, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church courtyard,
Beirut, in the presence of the President of the Supreme Council of the
Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, the Armenian Ambassador to
Lebanon, H.E. Vahan Der Ghevontian, in addition to a number of former
deputies and ministers, clergy, university representatives, diplomats,
members of the Board of Trustees, parents and fellow students.
The ceremony started as Faculty and graduates marched through the crowd of
parents, relatives and friends in a remarkable processional march, followed
by the Lebanese National Anthem, and the Invocation by the Campus Minister,
Rev. Nishan Bakalian.
In his word of welcome, Haigazian University President, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian considered the past year as academically fruitful. "Fruitful
years are not always easy years or joyful years. But when you end up with
good fruits, you know that you/they had the ability to stand firm against
the winds and storms, hail and heat of the surrounding environment,"
Haidostian said.
Haidostian also talked about the role universities should play, especially
during these hard days Lebanon is undergoing. "A university has a message.
Our university has a message of hope especially in the current conditions.
Our hope is rooted in our faith in God’s grace and immanence, which then
becomes real in the fruits of the whole educational experience, in human
interaction and creativity," Haidostian noted.
The guest speaker of the ceremony, Dr. Ahmad Al-Jammal, Director General of
the Ministry of Higher Education, tackled the issue of Higher Education in
this global world.
"Higher education plays an essential role in shaping the present, and the
future of nations, through building human expertise on all levels, be it
social, cultural, or technical", Al Jammal stated. The speaker considered
that in this global era of knowledge, universities play a vital role in
societies, that’s why their role is more and more important in becoming the
central place of openness, dialogue, creativity, and tolerance.
Afterwards, Registrar Roubina Artinian and Deans Fadi Asrawi and Arda
Ekmekji presented the graduates who received their degrees from President
Haidostian.
In their valedictorian addresses, Ani Nadjarian, speaking in English,
acknowledged how Haigazian University shaped her life and character,
transforming her into a more responsible and self-confident person.
"Haigazian granted us the gifts of knowledge, self-confidence, aspiration
and hope. Through its academic, social, and spiritual dimensions, it shaped
our personalities, transforming us into students who are ready to face the
challenges of life", Nadjarian said.
Whereas valedictorian Muhannad El Muhtar, speaking in Arabic, addressed his
fellow students saying, "Lebanon is in deep need of us. Let’s get armed with
what we’ve learned at Haigazian, and face all the difficulties of the future
by the power of our knowledge and faith in God".
After singing the Alma Mater, the ceremony was concluded with the
Benediction given by the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches in the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian.
The class of 2007 threw their caps and marched out proudly with a unique
recessional, while celebratory balloons flew high in the skies.