On Friday April 19, 2013, the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) celebrated its silver jubilee in the presence and under the patronage of the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme.
The representative of the Minister of Agriculture, the General Director of the Ministry Mr. Louis Lahoud, the Member of the Lebanese Parliament, Mr. Naamatallah Abi Nasr, the representative of the former Lebanese minister Nayla Mouawad, Mr. Raja Kortas, the Vicar General of the Lebanese Maronite Order Rev. Fr. Emile Akiki, the Secretary General of the Order, Rev. Fr. Claude Nadra, the President of the University, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, the Father General of the Monastery of Our Lady of Succour – Byblos, Rev. Fr. Charbel Beyrouthi, the General Director of the Hospital of Our Lady of Succour, Rev. Fr. Michel Eliane, the President of the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais, Dr. Philippe Chouquet, the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Rev. Fr. Joseph Wakim, as well as members of the University Council, professors and staff of the Faculty, and a number of political, military, educational and social figures attended the event.
Following the Lebanese National Anthem and the prayer of Rev. Fr. Abbot Nehme, Dr. Lara Wakim took to the floor and emphasized that the jubilee was an opportunity to get back to the roots and that the Faculty, since its inception, understood the close relationship between agriculture, nature and culture.
Then a documentary film was show about the Faculty, its mission and development.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Rev. Fr. Joseph Wakim indicated that they “started a journey with the students to turn them into leaders in an environment that supports critical thinking and, through practical and experimental programs, providing them with the best experiences and research… another journey of partnership, cooperation and expertise exchange started with national, private and public, institutions; along with the connections with international institutions to always cope with the latest developments and keep up to date with the problems facing agriculture and food sciences…”
The President of the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais, Dr. Philippe Choquet stated that “Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishing cooperation between the University and the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais. He added that his Institute and the University share the same values: “Education that revolves around youth” and concluded by saying that at LaSalle Beauvais, they believe that education is a collective mission that needs partnership to succeed.
The President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, said that “The Lebanese Maronite Order, which incarnated the name of Lebanon in its own, has spread across the Lebanese territory and deepened its relationship with its land. It is a testimony of the philosophy and the liturgy of the relationship between human beings and their land, Lebanon…” Then he praised the patronage of the Superior General of the Order, Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme. Finally, gave an overview on the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences and thanked all those who contributed to its development.
The Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme, assured that “The University carries the great history of the Order”. Then he congratulated the University for being classified, by the World Bank, among the top five universities in the MENA region in terms of performance, quality assurance and governance.
Finally, the partnership between the University and the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais was renewed and honorary shields were presented to a number of former and current professors in the Faculty. A dinner was organized for this occasion.