The Organizing Committee of the Panel Series “Common Platforms for Bridging Cultures,” Notre Dame University-Louaize, is delighted to invite NDU faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students working under the direct supervision of faculty members from various fields of specializations (Humanities, Business, Political Science, Arts, Engineering, Natural and Applied Sciences, etc.) to make 20 minute presentations on January 21, 2009.

Panelists should provide answers to the following question:

How important was/is the Middle Eastern world, more specifically the Arab world, to the West and vice versa?

In the field of Humanities, sub-themes could entail the following: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern Literature/s, Religion/s, and Philosophy/ies on the West and vice versa.

In the field of Business: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern Trade, Stock Markets, Oil, Human Resources, and Banking on the West and vice versa.

In the field of Political Sciences: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern political regimes and political principles and social traditions on the West and vice versa.

In the field of Arts: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern art and artists, designs and architecture on the West and vice versa.

In the field of Engineering: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern traditional and modern engineering principles on the West and vice versa.

In the field of Natural and Applied Sciences and Nursing: Positive and/or negative influence/s of Middle Eastern fields of Actuarial Sciences and Insurance, Biology, Health Care, Nutrition, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics on the West and vice versa.

Abstracts of about 300 words and a letter of recommendation from a perspective faculty member may be sent to Prof. Naji Oueijan at noueijan@ndu.edu.lb before Thursday, December 22, 2008.

NB-Selected refereed presentations will be published in a special NDU volume.