In a powerful tribute to leadership, innovation, and service, LAU will honor distinguished businessman and proud alumnus Toufic Kreidieh (BS ’93) with the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters this year. Celebrated for transforming the regional retail landscape and championing social impact, Kreidieh will receive the university’s highest distinction during its commencement ceremonies this June.

The ceremonies will also be marked by keynote addresses from two prominent national figures, His Excellency Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé and His Excellency Minister of Telecommunications Charles Hajj, whose lifelong contributions to public service, diplomacy, and technology promise to inspire the graduating class.

Toufic Kreidieh (BS ’93)

Mr. Toufic Kreidieh is the co-founder and chairman of BFL Group, one of the Middle East’s most dynamic and fastest-growing off-price fashion and lifestyle retailers. Established in 1996, the company operates under the Brands for Less umbrella, offering a unique retail experience focused on accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.

Recognized for his exceptional entrepreneurial success and leadership, Kreidieh was honored with LAU’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2023. Through his strategic vision and sharp business insight, he has transformed BFL Group from a local startup into a regional powerhouse with a presence across the Middle East and Europe. His commitment to democratizing fashion has made the company a trailblazer in off-price retail and e-commerce, earning accolades for innovation, customer loyalty, and social impact.

In line with his values-driven leadership, Kreidieh led the integration of robotics into BFL Group’s operations through a landmark partnership with IQ Robotics. With more than 160 robots supporting order fulfillment and inventory restocking, the initiative has dramatically improved operational efficiency and reinforced the company’s position as a leader in retail automation and digital strategy.

A firm believer in corporate social responsibility, Kreidieh has supported a wide range of philanthropic initiatives in education, health, and community development. As an LAU alumnus, he continues to champion youth empowerment, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and investing in initiatives that create opportunities for the next generation.

Mr. Kreidieh will be awarded the honorary doctorate on June 21 at LAU’s Beirut campus.

His Excellency Ghassan Salamé

An eminent academic, statesman, diplomat, and the recipient of an LAU honorary doctorate in 2015, Dr. Ghassan Salamé has spent a lifetime at the intersection of knowledge, governance, and peacebuilding. Born in 1951, he holds two doctorates, in literature and international relations, from the University of Paris and has taught at prestigious institutions including Saint Joseph University, the American University of Beirut, and Sciences Po in Paris, where he founded and served as the first dean of the Paris School of International Affairs.

As Lebanon’s minister of culture from 2000 to 2003, Dr. Salamé established the structural foundations of the ministry and led the organization of key international events, including the Arab Summit and the Francophone Summit in Beirut. His leadership ensured that these events left no burden on the public treasury—an achievement made possible through his efficient coordination of more than 150 volunteers.

Beyond national service, Dr. Salamé has held high-profile roles at the United Nations. He served as political advisor to the UN mission in Iraq, and later as special advisor to the secretary-general on conflict resolution. In 2016, he was appointed a member of Kofi Annan’s commission to address the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. A year later, he assumed the post of a special representative of the secretary-general and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, until spring 2020.

His prolific scholarship includes over a dozen books on international relations and Arab governance, earning him wide recognition. In 2016, he was honored as the Cultural Personality of the Sharjah International Book Fair for his intellectual and moral contributions to the region.

Dr. Salamé will deliver his speech on June 20 at the Beirut campus.

His Excellency Charles Hajj

Appointed as minister of telecommunications in early 2025, Mr. Charles Hajj brings with him more than three decades of executive leadership in telecommunications and digital infrastructure. A graduate of George Mason University with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Mr. Hajj began his career as regional director for the Middle East and South Asia at MCI International, a role he held for nearly a decade.

He went on to serve as managing director of XOL Holding Group and Mada Communications Group, where he helped advance digital connectivity and expand telecommunication services across the region. His career has been marked by a commitment to modernization, innovation, and promoting public-private sector collaboration.

A civic-minded leader, Hajj has held key roles in philanthropic organizations such as the Solidarity Association and the Maronite Foundation in the World, where he served two terms as president. As minister of telecommunications, he has dedicated his efforts to improving Lebanon’s digital infrastructure, expanding rural coverage, and advancing transparency and sustainability in the sector.

Mr. Hajj will deliver his speech on June 17 at the Byblos campus.