On Friday, March 14, 2025, the Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), in collaboration with the SKILD Center awarded certificates to participants of the Guided and Skilled Program. This marks the completion of the first in a series of courses designed to equip educators with the skills needed to support students with learning difficulties.
A Prestigious Gathering of Experts and Officials
The distinguished ceremony welcomed Michel Mouawad, CEO of the René Mouawad Foundation (RMF) and Member of Parliament (MP), as guest speaker. Other esteemed attendees included MP Dr. Selim Sayegh, Member of the Culture, Education and Higher Education Parliamentary Committee, representing MP Sami Gemayel; MP Georges Okais; Rose Choueiry, President of the Maronite Diaspora Institute; Fr. Youssef Nasr, General Secretary of Catholic Schools; Juan Hobeich, Head of the Union of Municipalities in Kesrouwan Ftouh; Dr. Fadi Yara, General Manager of the Ministry of Education, represented by Hilda Khoury; and Dr. Nabil Osta, Founder of SKILD Center.
In addition, a wealth of school rectors and municipal leaders from across Lebanon attended the event, joining around 150 teachers and participants who were recognized for completing their certification.
A Commitment to Inclusion in Education
“NDU is the ideal place that provides safety for students with learning difficulties, who are talented in their own way and a gift from God,” stated Majed Bou Hadir, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol, as he opened the ceremony. “Through the solid collaboration between the LLC and SKILD Center and the IDEAL Program, teachers acquired the skills needed to ensure inclusion in their schools, allowing those spaces to welcome students with various learning difficulties.”
Taking the stage next, two inspiring individuals: Joe Kanaan, a graduate who overcame hearing challenges with the support of NDU’s Learning Accommodation Services (LAS) at the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), and Alex Wehbe, an IDEAL Program student currently enrolled at NDU, expressed gratitude to God and the academic institutions that support students with learning difficulties.
Both their testimonies were strongly saluted by the audience and Dr. Osta who spoke next, expressing his genuine joy at the progress of this initiative, which has grown from personal efforts to a national movement, with God’s blessing and the significant support of NDU. “Through the 25-hour Guided and Skilled course, we aimed at equipping teachers with the right tools to better assist students with learning difficulties. NDU is an exemplary institution that embraces inclusion, by welcoming all students equally,” Osta stated.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Attendees then watched a video summarizing the successful collaboration between NDU and SKILD Center through the IDEAL Program and the LAS established at the SAO. The video illustrated the efficient and balanced program that prepares students with special needs for the workplace and featured testimonials from the course participants who gained a great amount of knowledge.
Dr. Dany Azzi, Director of the LLC, highlighted that the course participants were not only composed of educators, but also parents whose mission starts and ends at home. Hiba El Jamal, Director of SKILD Center, outlined the next phase of the program, scheduled for May and June, which will cover speech therapy, artificial intelligence, and decision-making strategies based on theory and evidence-based practices, for both school staff and rectors.
Fr. Bechara Khoury, President of NDU, reaffirmed the university’s leading role in inclusive education. “NDU is a pioneering university in addressing the requirements of students with learning difficulties.” Emphasizing that this cause is a partnership between the institution and educators, he encouraged teachers to pursue a Teaching Diploma or a Master’s Degree in Education to stay abreast of today’s advanced knowledge, offering reduced tuition fees to ensure accessible, high-quality education for all.
A National and Educational Revolution
Fr. Youssef Nasr, Secretary General of Catholic Schools shared the secretariat’s “Vision 2030,” which aims at ensuring an inclusive, digital, and environmentally sustainable education system. This initiative will be implemented across Catholic schools through a series of nationwide workshops and strategic planning efforts.
Finally, the ceremony’s guest speaker, MP Michel Mouawad, commended NDU’s leadership in specia needs education and thanked the University for inviting him to take part in this fundamental cause, which embodies the Lebanese identity. He referenced successful individuals such as Elon Musk, who has a form of autism, and the founder of TikTok, who has a physical disability, as examples of how determination and the right support system lead to success.
Mouawad also reflected on the Mariamite Maronite Order’s longstanding tradition of inclusive education, dating back to 1736 when the order pledged education for all, introducing co-education for boys and girls. As CEO of RMF, he outlined the foundation’s works in inclusion:
- Social inclusion – Developing and integrating underprivileged children into society.
- Regional inclusion – Exploiting rural agricultural lands to produce more and create job opportunities.
From a political perspective, Mouawad pointed out gaps in Lebanon’s current laws, among which the lack of clear definitions for learning difficulties, physical impairments, and more. He emphasized the need for solid inter-ministerial cooperation. “The initiative we are celebrating today should be adopted by all universities, not only NDU,” concluded the MP.
A Milestone in Inclusive Education
The ceremony concluded on an emotional and hopeful note, as participants proudly received their certificates, applauded by guests, friends, and family members. More importantly, it was an opportunity for government representatives to grasp the importance of this cause and make it an essential part of Lebanon’s national and educational reform plans.