In alignment with its ongoing efforts to support students’ career readiness, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) launched its annual Career Fair on April 3, with the participation and support of over 70 guest companies and organizations. The event was orchestrated and managed by the Career Center at the Office of University Advancement. Marking the beginning of the event, an opening ceremony took place, in the attendance of NDU President Fr. Bechara Khoury, Faculty Deans and Directors, company representatives, and guest of honor MP Neemat Frem, President and CEO of INDEVCO Group. The opening ceremony was also moderated by Mr. Majed Bou Hadir, Director of Public Affairs and Protocol at NDU, and it involved the presence of students and the interventions of attendees.
In his opening address, Bou Hadir highlighted the University’s role in promoting potential student engagement in the workplace, a role he considers as crucial amid successive crises. Bou Hadir restated the significance of making efforts aimed towards helping students achieve future success, whether as individuals in society or as active business leaders. A short film showcasing the Career Center’s recent achievements was then displayed, substantiating Bou Hadir’s previous points. The film featured numerous students’ past experiences with the Career Center, with some discussing their acquired readiness to attend job interviews and craft professional resumes.
NDU President Fr. Khoury then commended the Career Center’s continuous efforts, attributing much of the University’s advancement to its recent endeavors. He acknowledged the critical need to repeatedly seek to move forward, particularly when faced with obstacles and hurdles. Fr. Khoury then proceeded to mention MP Neemat Frem’s most recognizable works and achievements. A visionary in his own political realm, Frem has long displayed traits that go hand in hand with the University’s core values. As Fr. Khoury stated, Frem’s ability to venture into the unknown and actively voice his concern renders him quite similar to the future leaders NDU aims to integrate within the workplace.
During his intervention, MP Neemat Frem thanked the University for its warm welcome. Frem covered the necessity of promoting job openings and creating opportunities for ambitious students. He additionally lauded the initiatives taken by both the University and the Career Center, specifically ones catered for student growth and career development. According to Frem, the University’s rigorous efforts to integrate students in the job market constitutes a transformative step towards building a prosperous society. He also went over his personal achievements, providing students and attendees with his brief outlook on the present political situation in the country. At the end of his intervention, Frem reiterated the significance of prioritizing students’ readiness to partake in the workplace, noting that this readiness represents a driving force amid current times of turmoil and instability. The floor was then open for questions and discussions, enabling company representatives and participants to engage in the conversation and express their respective viewpoints.
As the opening ceremony drew to a close, NDU President Fr. Khoury awarded MP Neemat Frem a token of appreciation, expressing the University’s gratitude for his active participation and attendance. Attendees and guests later gathered for a short ribbon cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official launch of the much-anticipated Career Fair.
An Alumni Briefcase Event also took place during the Career Fair. It consisted of a series of rewarding exchanges between some of the University’s alumni and mentors and aspiring students. During the said exchanges, students discussed career growth opportunities, as well as job prospects and expectations, with thriving corporate representatives and leaders. Representatives were also eager to share their own work experiences and offer detailed insight into their career path.
At the end of the event, students were equipped with vast knowledge comprising their potential careers. The Career Fair, once again, served as a testament of the University’s resolute dedication to shaping society’s next leaders and change-makers.