In an effort to understand the reality of higher education institutions in Lebanon and the challenges that they have been facing due to the ongoing crises, the United States Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Dorothy Shea, visited Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), where she met NDU President, Fr. Bechara Khoury, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Michel El Hayek. She then had a discussion with the students and a tour of the University’s Lebanon and Migration Museum (LMM).
Fr. Khoury spoke of the University’s endeavors towards providing quality education to its students despite the obstacles standing in the way. He also advocated for future collaboration with the U.S. through the Embassy as NDU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and has various programmatic accreditations for its Faculties, making it a suitable candidate for furthering research ventures between the U.S. and Lebanon.
In addition, Fr. Khoury stated, “We are a continuously advancing university despite all the impediments we are faced with in Lebanon, working hard to build a country that meets the standards and prospects of NDU’s student body, as they are our hope, future, and our only concern.” He adds that it is important to encourage the youth of today to remain in their home country, and the University’s plans to make it worth their while: “There will be no effort wasted in providing the best education, and in working towards the betterment of the future.”
Regarding her visit to the NDU Main Campus, H.E. Dorothy Shea emphasized the relationship between the U.S. Embassy and the University, noting their common aim to build hope for young adults in such ongoing difficulties. She expressed the possibility of future collaborations between the two institutes, saying, “For our part as the U.S. Embassy, we are proud to support so many different kinds of educational initiatives in Lebanon, for the Lebanese.”
The visit concluded with a meeting between H.E. the Ambassador and the students of NDU, where they discussed their worries, hopes for the future, and dreams in the presence of VPAA, Dr. El Hayek, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Abbot Semaan Abou Abdou, and Dean of Students, Dr. Charbel Zgheib.