On Friday, November 21, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CODE Technologies to implement the RESOLUTE for Education platform, an AI-driven solution aiming to optimize collaboration among the University alumni. The event was held in the presence of NDU President, Father Bechara Khoury; Dr. Najib Metni, the Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Antoine Farhat, the Advisor to the President for Presidential Affairs; Mr. Khalil Harfouche, the CEO and Founder of CODE Technologies; Mr. Tony Lteif, Business Development Manager at CODE Technologies; as well as Mr. Majed Bou Hadir, Director at the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol.
As a newly developed platform, RESOLUTE for Education will drastically redefine the way NDU and previous generations of NDUers interact with each other, thereby enhancing alumni engagement, involvement, and collaboration. On the occasion of the signing, Fr. Khoury noted the importance of seeking out partners who share the University’s core values and deliver efficiently. “At the end of the day, what matters is staying connected to our alumni through people we trust to carry out our mission,” he said.
The Father President also credited the work of Dr. Najib Metni, the Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA), which consolidated previous initiatives started under Dr. Antoine Farhat, former VPUA currently serving as the Advisor to the President for Presidential Affairs. “These individuals have always been faithful to the University’s mission, ensuring it is transmitted in everything we do,” the President stated.
Staying connected to past, present, and future students is central to NDU’s mission, he added, which includes contributing to the country’s prosperity, so graduates are not compelled to leave. The University is leveraging new technologies to achieve its goals while preserving its historical, educational, and humanitarian heritage. “We welcome Mr. Khalil Harfouche and hope this agreement is the first of many,” he concluded.
Building on the President’s message about shared values and national commitment, Mr. Khalil Harfouche thanked Fr. Khoury for the warm welcome and expressed his appreciation to Dr. Farhat, Dr. Metni, and the faculty. He echoed the sentiment that it is worthwhile to remain in Lebanon and work together to develop it, clarifying that even though his business now operates globally, they purposefully hire Lebanese professionals in order to promote local expertise and stay rooted in their background.
Harfouche went on to say that CODE Technologies is still making a positive impact in Lebanon, recently by providing local municipalities with solutions. He expressed hope for more cooperation, pointing out that NDU's ideals are very similar to his own. At the end of his address, he reiterated his company’s dedication to the nation's youth and to providing chances that motivate them to make investments in Lebanon's future.
As for Dr. Najib Metni, he mentioned the significance of connecting with NDU alumni. “Updating the alumni database is, for me personally, one of the most important projects that we are currently working on. We want our alumni to always feel included and involved in our projects,” he said.
Dr. Metni also expressed optimism about the new collaboration, adding, “I hope that this partnership will prove to be fruitful and yield the anticipated results. By strengthening our ties with alumni, we aim to create a more engaged community that can support the University’s mission and remain connected to its growth and initiatives.”
The signing of this MoU marks a meaningful step in reshaping NDU’s connection with its alumni. Through the RESOLUTE for Education platform, graduates will be able to engage more actively, collaborate on new initiatives, and contribute to the University’s mission. More importantly, they will be provided with a tangible opportunity to play a defining role in Lebanon’s development and the country’s future.