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PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relation Director
Kantari - Beirut
Email: [email protected]
Haigazian University Celebrates Founders' Day and Launches its 60th
Anniversary
Special Honorees: Late journalist Ghassan Tueni and late
photojournalist Harry Koundakjian
On October 13, 2014, under the high patronage of the Minister of
Information, Ramzi Joreige, Haigazian University celebrated its
Founders' Day, in the presence of a host of political, diplomatic,
social and academic figures, faculty and staff, representatives of
sister institutions and foundations, and a large crowd of
students. Among the dignitaries were, Armenian Ambassador Ashot
Kocharian and Consul Ashot Vartanian, Members of Parliament Jean
Oghasabian, Hagop Pakradouni, Sepouh Kalpakian, Serge Toursarkissian,
and Shant Chinchinian, and Mayor Antranig Messerlian.
This commemorative celebration, which also marked the official launch
of the University's 60th Anniversary, honored the late journalist,
MP. Ghassan Tueni, and the late Photojournalist Harry Koundakjian.
A processional march inaugurated the auspicious ceremony, followed by
the Lebanese National Anthem, and a prayer of invocation offered by
the new campus minister, Rev. Wilbert Van Saane.
In his inspiring speech, President Haidostian placed particular
emphasis on Haigazian University's value system, especially the value
of merit, explaining the difficult beginnings of the founders. `The
founders and donors had not inherited much from their parents but had
turned tragedy into creative life=85 We are founded on values that
focus on hard work, overcoming obstacles, openness towards others, and
valuing all forms of life, knowing well that it is in the depth of the
God-given soul that human and social diamonds are shaped,' Haidostian
noted.
Quoting the University's motto, `Truth, Freedom and Service',
Haidostian went further to list the virtues of the two honorees by
saying, `Ghassan Tueini's and Harry Koundakjian's proven talent,
dedication, selflessness, and hard work, combined with a passion for
sharing the truth with others, are the recipe for greatness and
lasting merit in this world. The pen was for Tueini what the lens was
for Koundakjian. And the simple truth was exposed to the global
audience.'
Engaging students, the leaders of the future, to get inspired by
personalities such as Tueni and Koundakjian, Haidostian concluded his
words saying,
`indeed, Lebanon and the world will continue to need sharp yet
tolerant minds, strong, yet enlightening words of Tueni. Lebanon and
the world will need shocking yet truthful images of reality out there,
as photojournalist like Koundakjian did.'
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Joreige proudly acknowledged the
positive role Haigazian University plays in service of the Lebanese
youth, maintaining its high standard and excellent reputation amidst a
mass of universities in the country. `The future of Lebanon is ensured
only through the preservation of its strong academic system, in
promoting universal values of openness, dialogue and coexistence,'
Joreige noted.
In his congratulatory note on the honorees, Joreige, who was
a close friend of Ghassan Tueni, considered this latter an exceptional
personality, a giant in politics, diplomacy, reform, academia and
journalism. On
Koundakjian, Minister Joreige listed the various world events covered
by the photojournalist, highlighting the Haigazian Rocket Society
experiments, which constitute a rich national heritage to Lebanon.
The ceremony featured two visual presentations; `The Image of 60
years' paid tribute to the visionary founders, and traced the early
beginnings of the University till its most recent achievements,
underlining campus development, and student life. The rich and
professional life experience of both honorees, were also revealed to
the audience through a slide of photos which summarized their work
course.
Awards of appreciation were granted on this occasion; first to the
Minister, acknowledging the continuous cooperation of the Ministry of
Information with Haigazian University, and in honor of Ghassan Tueni
and Harry Koundakjian, received respectively by his widow Chadia
Tueni, and the Head of the Union of the Lebanese Photojournalists,
Karim El Hage.
On this special event, HU student clubs were honored, and certificates
of recognition to club representatives were announce by Student Life
Director Razmig Kaprielian, and handed by Vice-Chair of the Board of
Trustees, Mr. John Sagherian, and Dean Asrawi and Dean Ekmekji
respectively. Pianist and alumna, Annie Balabanian, brought her
contribution with a musical interlude,
graciously playing a piece from Sergei Rachmaninov.
To conclude, everyone rose to sing the Alma Mater, led by vocalist,
student Nejteh Bodrumian, accompanied on the piano by student John
Hatem.
The event was capped with a reception in the Mugar Hall.
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relation Director
Kantari - Beirut
Email: [email protected]
Haigazian University Celebrates Founders' Day and Launches its 60th
Anniversary
Special Honorees: Late journalist Ghassan Tueni and late
photojournalist Harry Koundakjian
On October 13, 2014, under the high patronage of the Minister of
Information, Ramzi Joreige, Haigazian University celebrated its
Founders' Day, in the presence of a host of political, diplomatic,
social and academic figures, faculty and staff, representatives of
sister institutions and foundations, and a large crowd of
students. Among the dignitaries were, Armenian Ambassador Ashot
Kocharian and Consul Ashot Vartanian, Members of Parliament Jean
Oghasabian, Hagop Pakradouni, Sepouh Kalpakian, Serge Toursarkissian,
and Shant Chinchinian, and Mayor Antranig Messerlian.
This commemorative celebration, which also marked the official launch
of the University's 60th Anniversary, honored the late journalist,
MP. Ghassan Tueni, and the late Photojournalist Harry Koundakjian.
A processional march inaugurated the auspicious ceremony, followed by
the Lebanese National Anthem, and a prayer of invocation offered by
the new campus minister, Rev. Wilbert Van Saane.
In his inspiring speech, President Haidostian placed particular
emphasis on Haigazian University's value system, especially the value
of merit, explaining the difficult beginnings of the founders. `The
founders and donors had not inherited much from their parents but had
turned tragedy into creative life=85 We are founded on values that
focus on hard work, overcoming obstacles, openness towards others, and
valuing all forms of life, knowing well that it is in the depth of the
God-given soul that human and social diamonds are shaped,' Haidostian
noted.
Quoting the University's motto, `Truth, Freedom and Service',
Haidostian went further to list the virtues of the two honorees by
saying, `Ghassan Tueini's and Harry Koundakjian's proven talent,
dedication, selflessness, and hard work, combined with a passion for
sharing the truth with others, are the recipe for greatness and
lasting merit in this world. The pen was for Tueini what the lens was
for Koundakjian. And the simple truth was exposed to the global
audience.'
Engaging students, the leaders of the future, to get inspired by
personalities such as Tueni and Koundakjian, Haidostian concluded his
words saying,
`indeed, Lebanon and the world will continue to need sharp yet
tolerant minds, strong, yet enlightening words of Tueni. Lebanon and
the world will need shocking yet truthful images of reality out there,
as photojournalist like Koundakjian did.'
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Joreige proudly acknowledged the
positive role Haigazian University plays in service of the Lebanese
youth, maintaining its high standard and excellent reputation amidst a
mass of universities in the country. `The future of Lebanon is ensured
only through the preservation of its strong academic system, in
promoting universal values of openness, dialogue and coexistence,'
Joreige noted.
In his congratulatory note on the honorees, Joreige, who was
a close friend of Ghassan Tueni, considered this latter an exceptional
personality, a giant in politics, diplomacy, reform, academia and
journalism. On
Koundakjian, Minister Joreige listed the various world events covered
by the photojournalist, highlighting the Haigazian Rocket Society
experiments, which constitute a rich national heritage to Lebanon.
The ceremony featured two visual presentations; `The Image of 60
years' paid tribute to the visionary founders, and traced the early
beginnings of the University till its most recent achievements,
underlining campus development, and student life. The rich and
professional life experience of both honorees, were also revealed to
the audience through a slide of photos which summarized their work
course.
Awards of appreciation were granted on this occasion; first to the
Minister, acknowledging the continuous cooperation of the Ministry of
Information with Haigazian University, and in honor of Ghassan Tueni
and Harry Koundakjian, received respectively by his widow Chadia
Tueni, and the Head of the Union of the Lebanese Photojournalists,
Karim El Hage.
On this special event, HU student clubs were honored, and certificates
of recognition to club representatives were announce by Student Life
Director Razmig Kaprielian, and handed by Vice-Chair of the Board of
Trustees, Mr. John Sagherian, and Dean Asrawi and Dean Ekmekji
respectively. Pianist and alumna, Annie Balabanian, brought her
contribution with a musical interlude,
graciously playing a piece from Sergei Rachmaninov.
To conclude, everyone rose to sing the Alma Mater, led by vocalist,
student Nejteh Bodrumian, accompanied on the piano by student John
Hatem.
The event was capped with a reception in the Mugar Hall.