September 2025 – As part of its continuous efforts to train municipal members and staff, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) has signed an agreement with Platform 4 Progress (P4P) to support participants in the Diploma in Municipal Studies across Kesrouane region. This partnership reflects both parties’ shared commitment to empowering local municipal employees and enhancing public service delivery throughout Lebanon.
The agreement was signed in presence of NDU President Fr. Bechara Khoury; Dr. Michel El Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Najib Metni, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Dany Azzi, Director of the Lifelong Learning Center; Majed Bou Hadir, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol; Juan Hobeiche, President of P4P; and Romy Louis, Project Coordinator for Community Development at P4P.
Fr. Khoury assured Hobeiche that that NDU stands firmly behind every initiative that drives the nation forward: “This is our way of thinking and working, and we choose partners who share the same vision with us.”
Drawing on his decades-long experience in the public sector, Hobeiche highlighted a major point: “Elected presidents and members are temporary, while the municipalities’ administrators are stable and should be held accountable, hence the importance of this program.” He further explained that P4P’s support ensures equal access and encourages the participation of promising individuals who may otherwise be constrained by financial limitations.
The Diploma in Municipal Studies is offered through the NDU’s Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) and consists of 54 hours distributed across five modules. The program covers the following topics: constitutional, legal, and organizational frameworks of municipal work; governance and management; financial management, budget preparation, and public procurement; strategic planning, funding, and donor relations; as well as other topics relevant to municipal operations. Participants also gain exclusive access to NDU’s state-of-the-art e-library resources and training materials.
Based on the recent cohort’s visible success, NDU strongly believes in educating Lebanon’s municipal staff as a way of contributing to national progress. With P4P’s support, Kesrouane municipalities will be able to carry out their duties with greater professionalism and solid knowledge, ultimately improving the daily lives of local residents.