Qatar Visit Kicks Off Busy Schedule of Regional Trips
In his first visit to Qatar since assuming LAU’s presidency in 2020, Dr. Michel E. Mawad established contact with leading organizations and more than 100 alumni over four days of back-to-back meetings and gatherings.
The October 10–13 visit marked the start of a busy upcoming itinerary that includes London, Paris, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Coming out of two years of lockdowns and severe crises, President Mawad and key university advancement officials are making the most of this opportunity to deepen university networking with alumni as well as with current and potential partners in the Middle East and Europe.
“Our trip to Qatar was a great success as it opened up new vistas for cooperation and potential strategic partnerships,” said Dr. Mawad. “I was particularly proud of our alumni there who are immensely successful. Their loyalty to their alma mater is truly uplifting,” he added.
Accompanied by VP for University Advancement George K. Najjar, Assistant VP for Development Nassib Nasr, Assistant VP for Alumni Relations Abdallah El Khal, and Senior Director of Development Nicole Barghoud, Dr. Mawad introduced LAU to key players in the corporate and higher education sectors, forging promising new prospects for cooperation.
Multiple avenues of support for students and cancer patients were explored with some of the most established businesses and organizations in the country, including the Qatar Foundation, the Qatar Fund for Development, and a select list of leading corporate entities in the country. In another reassuring contact, Lebanese ambassador Farah Berri expressed her full support for LAU’s endeavors during a meeting with President Mawad and the visiting delegation.
On October 11, a reception graciously hosted by the Qatar Alumni Chapter committee led by chapter president Wassim Aldayah, drew more than 100 alumni, who took great delight in President Mawad’s words and presence. The attendees listened intently as Dr. Mawad underscored the strides made by LAU despite adversity and called on them to carry on with their support for their alma mater. The event elicited an outpouring of support and a rekindling of connections.
The upcoming trip to London, slated for early November, is a fundraiser hosted by businessman Basim Ziadeh and his wife Karen, who is an LAU alumna. The benefit will focus on generating resources for financial aid and cancer patient support. An alumni reception will be hosted at the Lebanese Embassy on November 3 and the fundraising dinner is scheduled for November 4.