Community
In Brief
LAU Alumnus on a Winning Streak
For the third consecutive year, Michel Kafrouny (BS ’17) has won the Best Event Planner of the Year in Faces Magazine’s 2024 Ottawa Awards, an upscale event celebrating people, places and businesses that help promote the city’s vibrance. Kafrouny, who is currently the Manager of Events and Industry Engagement at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, garnered the highest number of votes from the public in the event planning category.
Visit to LAU Libraries Centennial Exhibition
Dr. Hweida Kammourié, Director of Collection Management, invited board members of the Lebanese Library Association (LLA) and the Lebanese Academic Library Consortium (LALC) to a guided tour of the Centennial Exhibition at the Riyad Nassar Library on March 27, 2024. LLA’s Rudaynah Shoujah, Domingua Abboud, Salwa Mneimneh, Ghenwa Wehbeh and Maya Nahra, and LALC’s Alberto Haddad were joined by Dr. Jordan Srour, Assistant Provost for Educational Resources and Innovation, and Senior Library Archives Manager, Beirut, Antoinette Kattoura.
Dean Bahous Joins the International Advisory Committee for AI
Dr. Sola Aoun Bahous is serving along with 15 international experts on the new International Advisory Committee for Artificial Intelligence that informs education groups in global health on harnessing innovations to advance AI in medical education. The committee is a collaboration between the Association of American Colleges, the National University of Singapore, the International Association of Medical Science Educators and the International Association for Health Professions Education.
Alumnus is Elected Deputy Chair of the Saudi Journalists Association
Business alumnus and Editor-in-Chief of Arab News Faisal Abbas (BS ’03) was recently elected deputy chair of the Saudi Journalists Association, which advances the role of journalists in the country. He is a regular columnist and guest speaker on Arab-international affairs, appearing regularly in international media. Upon his election, Abbas pledged to “serve my country, my industry and my fellow journalists in a field that I am well-versed in and incredibly passionate about.”
Students’ Graphic Designs to Hit Store Shelves
Led by instructor Rania Khoury, two senior graphic design students, Marie Therese Assaf and Reina Mahmoud, clinched the first and second prize respectively in Sanita’s Design Your Dreams competition, held on February 28. The contest, open to graphic students from various universities, aimed at engaging them in real projects that impact the community. In addition to expanding their opportunities, the winners’ entries will be showcased on a special edition packaging of the target product. (Image, from left: Assaf’s and Mahmoud’s designs)
US Ambassador Visits the LAU Beirut Campus
On February 28, US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A. Johnson met with LAU President Michel E. Mawad on the Beirut campus and, along with her delegation, was accompanied on a tour of the premises by the president, VP Roy Majdalani and VP Elise Salem. During the meeting, Dr. Mawad updated the ambassador on the status of the university, introduced her to the LAU medical centers, and spoke about the continued support from the US government.
A Multidisciplinary Take on Psoriasis
Psoriasis, a disease affecting 3 percent of the global population, often presents with comorbidities. Tackling the diagnostic challenges, manifestations, and treatments associated with this condition, the Division of Rheumatology at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine held a symposium on February 16 led by Dr. Laure Irani. International and national specialists in rheumatology, radiology, dermatology and endocrinology presented the latest research, screening techniques and case studies on this disease.
Civil Engineering Student Named One of the New Faces of Engineering
Fourth-year civil engineering student and President of the LAU student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Lea Al Habr is one of 10 civil engineers of tomorrow chosen by ASCE to design for Cities of the Future, a project that envisions what city life could look like in 50 years. Al Habr, the only student selected from the region, will work with her international peers on this sustainability endeavor.
Dr. Baleanu Honored With Grigore Moisil Award
The Romanian Academy has granted Professor Dumitru Baleanu the prestigious Grigore Moisil award in Science and Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences sections for a series of scientific papers on Mathematical Methods in Advanced Control of Complex Systems. The prize is named after Romanian mathematician and computer scientist Grigore Moisil (1906-1973), who made significant contributions to logic, algebra and theoretical computer science.
Aziza Sbaity Makes the BBC 100 Women List 2023
LAU Track and Field Coach and alumna Aziza Sbaity (BS ’12) has made the 2023 BBC 100 Women List in the Entertainment and Sport category. A sprinter, Sbaity is the 100m national record holder and the “fastest Lebanese woman in history.” She has recently won gold at the West Asian and Arab Championships. Off the field, Sbaity advocates for inclusivity and equality and gives of her time to inspire the Lebanese youth.
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