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Haigazian University Celebrates its Founders' Day

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  • Haigazian University Celebrates its Founders' Day

    PRESS RELEASE
    From: Mira Yardemian
    Public Relations Director
    Haigazian University
    Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
    P.O.Box. 11-1748
    Riad El Solh 1107 2090
    Tel: 01-353010/1/2
    01-349230/1



    Haigazian University Celebrates its Founders' Day
    Haidostian: All fine culture is fundamentally intercultural


    Beirut, October14, 2008- Haigazian University honored Minister of
    Culture Mr. Tammam Salam for his contributions to the enrichment of
    society, during its Founders' Day celebration, on October 13, 2008, in
    the presence of the President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical
    Churches of the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karagoezian, Minister Jean
    Oghassabian, foreign embassies representatives, Board members, faculty,
    staff and students.

    After the processional march, and the Lebanese National Anthem, the
    ceremony started with the invocation offered by the new Campus Minister,
    Rev. Greg Lee-Parker, followed by a power point presentation, "Tribute
    to the Founders", delivered by the Dean of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Arda
    Ekmekji,

    Ekmekji highlighted the factors which lead to the foundation of the
    University 53 years ago, and the founding institutions, the Union of
    Armenian Evangelical Churches of the Near East (UAECNE), and the
    Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). Ekmekji proudly
    announced that on its 54th year, Haigazian University stepped into a new
    phase of development and growth, by signing a historic partnership with
    the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to
    finance scholarships, as well as by starting the refurbishment project
    of the recently acquired heritage building which will end by early 2010.

    As an annual tradition, Student Life Director, Antranik Dakessian
    presented Student of the Year 2008, Mr. Antranig Ketchejian who
    confidently invited the students to "seize the day, and live their lives
    the way it's meant to be lived."

    Ketchedjian called upon the students to derive through the legacy of the
    Founders, their powerful ideals of choice, responsibility and belief.

    Ketchejian concluded by saying that university life could be lived to
    its utmost, by "giving equal weight, time, and dedication to the
    academic and the social life at the university."

    After a short musical interlude, a piano duet, "Sabre Dance" of Aram
    Khatchadourian, graciously performed by the Panjarian sisters, Loucine
    and Tsoler, the President of the University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian
    delivered an inspiring speech "On Profit and Culture".

    Haidostian highlighted the two major characteristics of Haigazian
    University: its "not-for -profit" and "intercultural" aspect.

    Haidostian considered that one of the challenges of Haigazian
    University, is its "not-for -profit" aspect, and eventually its need of
    resources to continue and develop and serve. He reiterated the fact that
    profit at Haigazian is determined by "the degree of edification,
    harmony, dialogue, selflessness, goodness, creativity, balance, and
    wisdom that we can conceive in our midst. It is in the image of a loving
    God that we live out."

    Haidostian also introduced the notion of "culture" at Haigazian
    University, referring back to the founding of the institution "as an
    intercultural enterprise, Armenians from Lebanon and the USA,
    envisioning a dynamic partnership."

    "All fine culture is fundamentally intercultural. Intercultural does not
    mean lack of culture or diluted culture or confused culture. Rather it
    means good communication, learning, and sharing", Haidostian concluded.

    Guest of Honor, Minister of Culture, Mr. Tammam Salam addressed the
    audience by expressing his pride and gratitude of being a Haigazian
    student.

    Salam considered that the main element in the Founders' vision was "a
    call to undergo a revolution of values, shifting from a thing-oriented
    society, to a person-oriented society." In the same context, Salam
    explained how the term "capacity building" is no more used. Instead it
    is been replaced by "capacity replenishment" and "capacity replacement".

    Salam extended his commitment, as a minister of culture to provide
    Haigazian University and similar ones, with his support in promoting
    national awareness, so that the University becomes "a place of hope, of
    excitement, of discovery, a campus that is characterized by a sense of
    promise and pride, purpose and accomplishment".

    Afterwards, President Haidostian along with Vice-Chair of the Board,
    Rev. Robert Sarkissian presented the minister a plaque of appreciation
    for his endeavors to the enrichment of society.

    The program concluded with everyone singing the University's Alma Mater.
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