NDU hosts a celebratory dinner to commemorate NECHE accreditation
On the evening of November 28, 2018, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) organized a celebratory dinner in Habtoor Hilton Hotel – Sin El Fil, on the occasion of acquiring the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE) previously known as the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) accreditation.
Master of Ceremonies for this event, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol Majed Bou Hadir, kicked off the ceremony in the presence of Superior General of the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (OMM) Most Reverend Abbot Maroun Chidiac, the Assistants General of the Order; Lebanese President General Michel Aoun’s representative, H.E. Cesar Abi Khalil; Lebanese Parliament’s representative H.E. Jean Oghassabian; Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai representative, Curial Bishop Reverend Hanna Alwan; Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Marwan Hamadeh’s representative, Dr. Mohsen Jaber; Former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel; as well as University Board of Trustees (BOT) members: NDU President Fr. Pierre Najem, NDU Vice-Presidents, University deans, Shouf campus and North Lebanon campus Directors. Other notable political, religious, military, education, diplomatic, and media figures; industry leaders and professionals; media magnates; faculty, and staff were also present.
NDU President Fr. Najem, said in his speech: “We meet tonight to celebrate, to rejoice and to thank the Lord for a further step on the path of distinction. We meet to celebrate not only a goal set by the University for years but also a new beginning.” Fr. Najem prioritized the essential role the students play in the eyes of the university: “we see potential in each and every one of our students and their capacity] to make the world a better place. This accreditation will ensure a quality education enabling students to perform a broad range of professional responsibilities. Thus, our students will stand out from the competition when applying for jobs.”
In his speech, Dr. Mohsen Jaber stressed the importance of accreditation for educational institutions, emphasizing how it attests to the quality of an educational program, and praised NDU for acquiring an internationally recognized educational milestone.
Finally, Curial Bishop Reverend Hanna Alwan officially launched the dinner with a prayer of thanksgiving.