Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) has once again joined forces with Makhzoumi Foundation, renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a continued effort to support education and empower students. This renewal, which builds on the productive partnership from the previous year, emphasizes a common goal to help students and promote education, especially in light of current challenges.
The signing ceremony addressed the significance of cultivating genuine collaborations with long-term effects. Attendees from NDU included President Fr. Bechara Khoury; Dr. Michel El Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Antoine Farhat, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Dany Azzi, Director of the E-Learning and Lifelong Learning Centers; Majed Bou Hadir, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol; and André Fahed, Director of the Office of Communications.
Representing Makhzoumi Foundation were its President, May Makhzoumi; General Manager, Samer El Safah; Education and Livelihood Program Manager, Malak El Hout; Head of Communication and Marketing, Robert Helou; and Education and Livelihood Program Coordinator, Noura Shaheen. Also in attendance was Imad Al-Shmaitilli, Championships Manager at ITLS, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two organizations in promoting educational and professional development.
A key highlight of this collaboration is the signing of an MoU to host the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Competition at NDU for the second consecutive year. This competition offers students the opportunity to display their digital skills on an international stage. In addition, discussions took place regarding future joint initiatives between NDU and Makhzoumi Foundation, further strengthening their shared mission of educational empowerment.
During the event, May Makhzoumi, President of Makhzoumi Foundation, thanked NDU President Fr. Bechara Khoury for his warm welcome and recalled the foundation's early days during the Lebanese civil war. At the time, residual concerns about safety and relocation constituted impediments to obtaining an education. While Lebanon confronts new difficulties, its primary objective remains the same: to empower students and provide them with an opportunity to thrive. Achieving that objective, however, has never been easy. As she reflected on the foundation’s beginnings, Makhzoumi stressed the ongoing need to update educational curricula and adapt to unforeseen challenges—particularly as some areas in Lebanon became too dangerous to access and the job market grew even more demanding.
Over the past years, Makhzoumi Foundation has made considerable efforts to develop the academic landscape and advance the education sector, partnering with notable organizations like the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, which provided instructors with appropriate training sessions amid ongoing crises. Understanding that education extends beyond the classroom, Makhzoumi foundation has even managed to prioritize students’ wellbeing and mental health, offering sessions focused on mindfulness during times of conflict in the country.
For his part, President Fr. Khoury stressed that collaborations with local foundations are not only gratifying but also necessary, as they derive from a common goal. He reflected on previous collaborations, such as the recent Microsoft competition, and underlined the University's continued attempts to include cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence in its instructional framework. With AI becoming more important, NDU intends to push forward innovative educational projects that will provide students with the capabilities they need to navigate the future.
The Father President then thanked Dr. Antoine Farhat, NDU's Vice President for University Advancement, for his vital efforts to strengthen these programs by working closely with other groups to promote educational continuity. His dedication to developing collaborative partnerships has helped expand student opportunities, reinforce NDU's commitment to academic excellence, and ensure that education remains accessible despite present challenges. As the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hayek also explored how other universities are integrating these technologies into their curricula, assessing the potential of AI advancements to enhance educational programs.
Since 2006, NDU has achieved significant advances in higher education growth, constantly improving its academic programs, research projects, and student support services. This renewed Memorandum of Understanding serves as a foundation for future collaborations, both with the Makhzoumi Foundation and with other educational institutions. More importantly, it paves the way for additional innovative projects, scholarships, and joint initiatives that will enrich the learning experience and empower tomorrow's leaders.