On February 20, 2013, the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Patrice Paoli, accompanied by a delegation, visited the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) where he was received by the President of the University, R. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, as well as academic and administrative seniors.

Fr. Mahfouz welcomed the visitors by highlighting the distinguished career of the French Ambassador and giving an appreciation of the latter’s interest in the Arab world. He, then, presented an overview of the Green Project launched by the University, which consisted in transforming the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik into a carbon neutral University. Moreover, he stated his insistence on strengthening the University’s admission criteria, in order to maintain high academic standards, and indicated that this would bring an added value to its journey towards excellence. He, also, mentioned the social services that the University provided.

The French Ambassador thanked Fr. Mahfouz for his warm reception and expressed his admiration for both the Green Project and the policy of excellence pursued by the University, in terms of urbanization and academic programs. He insisted on the continuation of cooperation between the Embassy, the University and the French Institute, in the best interest of the new generation.

Afterwards, a cooperation agreement was signed by the University and the French Embassy in Lebanon, which share strong historical ties. The two parties decided to continue their cooperation throughout 2013, in order to enhance the University’s role as a center of francophone academic excellence, permanent politics of modernity and regeneration, promotion of a pilot training system, and awarding of French diplomas. The agreement focused on three points: cooperation between universities, training systems/awards of diplomas in French, and francophone cultural projects.

The French Ambassador then embarked on a tour around the University’s departments and Faculties, passing by the laboratories of the Faculty of Sciences, the dealing room of the Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences, the Library, and the Conservatory of Oriental Heritage…

Finally, Fr. Mahfouz offered a lunch, in honor of the French Ambassador and the accompanying delegation.