Under the Patronage of the Lebanese Army Chief Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, the USEK Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences hosted on May 18, 2011 a conference on the theme of “When Army Talks Business”, whereby Lebanese Army Officers exchanged their sharp managerial military know-how with the best business students in the school of Management and business leaders of Lebanon.

Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, USEK President, praised in his opening speech the generous giving and sacrifices of soldiers, paying tribute to their perseverant struggle and loyalty to the country. Fr. Mahfouz also expressed his delight to host this event which reflects the commitment of the University to the military institution.
In turn, Prof. Nehme Azouri, Dean of the USEK Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences, raised in his speech several questions: “What can we learn from the army officials? What are the lessons that we can figure out from military people and can be applicable in the field of business? What do military leaders and business leaders have in common”? The answer he provided is that discipline, sacrifice and organized group work are often considered as the classical common elements, but more importantly seems to be interactive leadership in highly complicated and risky situations.

Journalist Chantal Dagher clarified in her speech that “the event will allow the Lebanese army officers to exchange their sharp managerial military know-how with the best business students and business leaders of Lebanon. The audience would also share their managerial and corporate experiences with the Military”.

While Georges Najm, Marketing Communications Consultant at Clementine sal., said that “without knowing, Generals integrated their successful military methods and actions into the business world... Strategy, Planning, Positioning, Tactics, Target, Operations and Sit Rep”.

Lectures started with Brigadier General Maroun Hitti, Director of Operations at the Lebanese Army who tackled Global Operations and shared his valuable knowledge in this field by providing answers to the following questions: how does the Lebanese Army assess a problematic situation? How do they study the available options of treatment? How do they plan for action? How do they coordinate their efforts and resources?

In turn, Brigadier General Chamel Roukoz, Rangers Regiment Commander shared with the audience some of his Regiment experiences and dissected the various situations of Courage and pumping Motivation to his troops. He led a presentation on Courage and Motivation and discussed various missions performed by the Rangers Regiment, analyzing various courageous acts and the ingredients of a courageous leader.

While Brigadier General Georges Nader, Air Assault Regiment Commander tackled the case of Structural Reorganization in Times of Difficulty. He shared with the audience the experience of reorganizing on the battlefield the Air Assault Regiment when he took in charge as the Regiments commander while the former commander was severely injured.

Colonel Abdel Karim Hachem, Navy Seals Regiment Commander, dealt with the Precision of Actions in Times of Crisis. He explained the case of the Ethiopian plane crash, which took place on January 25, 2010 in Lebanon. He shared with the audience the experience of his Regiment in the recent and unprecedented rescue mission led straight after the plane crash.

Finally, Honorary Insignia were presented by Rev. Fr. Mahfouz to the officers and the representative of the Lebanese Army Chief Commander.