On Thursday July 11, 2013, the French Government granted the title of Knight of the Order of the Academic Palms to Dr. Ranya Salameh, the Head of the French Language Section within the Languages Center at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. This award was given during a ceremony held in the presence of the University President, Fr. Dr. Hady Mahfouz, the Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, and Director of the French Institute in Lebanon, Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier, the University Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Fr. Prof. Karam Rizk, the Head of Cooperation for the French Language, Ms. Sandra Barrère, the Head of the French Institute in Jounieh, Ms. Mélodie Bardin, along with members of the University Council and parents friends and colleagues of Dr. Salameh.

Following the Lebanese and French National Anthems, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz took the floor, in order to praise and congratulate Dr. Salameh. Then, he reiterated the motto, which he had adopted when he took office, “Development in Communication” and stressed the importance of continuing to exert effort for the sake of quality assurance and academic excellence.

Afterwards, the Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, and Director of the French Institute in Lebanon, Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier said, “In addition to her multiple degrees, Dr. Salameh took many sessions related to teaching French - from the methodology of the French language, communicative approach and oral assessment to the correction and auditing of the DALF certificate…Her academic background and experience has contributed to giving her translation and languages teaching tasks.” He also explained how she disseminated the French language and the Francophone culture and how she was always keen to upgrade the level of education through suggesting new curricula.

The University Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Fr. Prof. Karam Rizk presented an overview on Dr. Salameh’s academic and professional career before she became Head of the French Language Section within the Languages Center of USEK. He added that “…this Center is not only limited to organizing the entrance exams to the University, but it also provides a high level education. The Center has doubled its efforts in order to reach its ultimate goal – the ability to grant DELF and DALF certificates according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.”

After a musical break, Dr. Berthe Maalouli and Dr. Grace Younes talked on behalf of Ranya Salameh’s colleagues and Dr. Giselle Riachi and Dr. Sandra Mokhtar talked on behalf of the honoree’s friends. Her brother then gave the family’s speech.

Finally, Dr. Salameh declared: “Francophonie is the shield defending linguistic diversity, which constitutes an added value and a source of respect to religious and doctrinal differences; it is the spirit of openness towards the others. I loved the French language through the writings of Francophone authors and songs performed in French by non-French people…The relationship between Lebanon and France exists not only on the level of politics, economy and culture, but it is also based on love and compassion. In fact, France does not only take part in our history, but also in our collective, individual and, sometimes, family memory.”

She added, “I started teaching French in 2001 and the French Language Center was launched in 2005 with 3 professors and 100 students. Today, we are proud of having more than 22 professors and 120 classes including 2000 students per year…” Dr. Salameh dedicated the insignia to the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

The ceremony was brought to an end with a celebration of cocktails.