An interface between two complementary forces is what CONTENTS we want, not conflict between two adversaries. The existence of two rival camps and of two conflicting groups of media can only be a danger, but we see now incitement THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE to violence in districts of Beirut and at the same time the tracing of new lines of demarcation, which we thought belonged to the past, just when we were looking for construction and prosperity. There are calls for meetings of two parties or of four, and for initiatives foreign or Arab, for cooperation with the security forces, etc., etc., while at the same time the hurling of odious accusations and the laying down of futile conditions continue, together with threats of sit-ins, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS absence of authority, break-up and destructive and purposeless wars. Lebanon is no longer, as before, a land of peaceful coexistence with a message for the whole world. 3 Mission Statement - Dr. Ameen Albert Rihani Is there a reason for its continued existence? If such is the 7 USA Tour of NDU President and Vice-President case, let it have its proper place in the international arena. 8 Scholarship for Uganda Let Lebanon be a meeting place for elements representing culture, civilization and true religion. Editorial Staff

 March 2008 |  issue 42

NDU Spirit A periodical about ACADEMIC AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES campus life at Notre Dame University - Louaïze. 9 NDU Choir in the USA

WEERC  Tel: (09) 218950 - Ext.: 2477 14 Workshop - the Janneh Dam  Fax: (09) 218950 - Ext.: 2479  Email: [email protected] 16 LERC News  www.ndu.edu.lb/newsandevents/nduspirit FAAD 21 NDU 20th Anniversary Exhibition 22 Workshop at Aleppo City - Elissar Doumit 26 Workshop: Art to Wear or Fashion?  26 NDU and Hema at Amsterdam | Editor-in-Chief Georges Mghames FH  29 Chinese in NDU | English Editor 30 Mass Communication Events Kenneth Mortimer 31 Writing Center Phase Two  | Reporting FNAS Ghada Mouawad 32 First CTACCS Conference 2008  | Arabic Typing 35 Mechanical Engineering at NDU OPINION AND CULTURE Lydia Zgheïb - Dr. Michel Hayek  | Photographer 38 Armenian Ambassador visits NDU 45 Life at NDU - Yasmine Haddad 38 Placement Office and Alfa Training 46 Crime Corner - Murder! Abdo Bejjani Project 47 Algernon Swinburne - K.J. Mortimer  | Layout & design 39 Bridging Twenty Years 49 The Development of NDU - Mary Martinos Khoury 40 Communio 50 Balanced Diet - Elsa Abi Nader Technopub 41 Dr. C. Sabieh, President of Psychological 51 Ecrire ou se balader - Dr. Abdo Kahy  | Print Association 55 Let's React to God - Fadia El-Hage Meouchy Zakaria 42 Kun Hadi at NDU 56 Something for your Grey Matter - Crossword & 43 Sports Office News SOCIAL 44 Births, Obituary (N.B. Opinions are those of the authors and do not engage the editors.)  | A Word from the President The President’s Message

A Possible Dialogue Between Policy Makers and Policy Executors

In any endeavor Would it be easier or more difficult to implement in certain divisions, or units, and aiming at not in others? Why? What groups of students and faculty members are addressed reviewing the by such a policy? Why is it difficult to implement policies most of the time with I system and the some people, and easy to apply the same policies with others? structure of the These are the types of questions the University community has to ask itself University the policy makers regularly while in the process of bringing about significant change at different and the policy executors are academic and administrative levels. Preparing the ground and proper the two groups of communication are two crucial steps in such endeavors. To prepare the ground the administrators who are directly dialogue should go horizontally and vertically. involved in producing and It would be a wise step on the part of the policy makers and the policy executors to implementing new policies. In pursue on-going dialogue in order to be able to address the question of the such an important endeavor feasibility of projected policies. Avoiding any future surprises and/or negative later the policy makers' approach reactions would be the purpose of such horizontal dialogues, which are expected to might well be different from take place ahead of time among colleagues directly involved in deciding on, or that of the policy executors. implementing, a certain policy. The first might be concerned with the system and the It is equally wise to insure proper communication after a certain policy has been methodology, but the latter applied, and to follow up its application by an awareness campaign in order to pave with the management and the way for an appropriate understanding and implementation of the new administration. This is where procedure. Discussions on campus are vital for the proper comprehension and the possible misinterpretation understanding of new university rules and regulations. Everybody should be aware of any specific policy might of the change; everybody should be responsive to the need of such an alteration. lead, even unintentionally, to a Observations could be made to improve the why and how of making or counter-effect or to a contrary implementing policies. In the absence of related dialogues the focus might not be in result. the right direction. Dialogue on anticipated change will fine-tune, direct and One of the best ways of sharpen policies, and express the real needs and the necessary transformations avoiding such expected. In such a case it is very significant to realize the magnitude of issuing misunderstandings is to create and implementing new policies. Preparing the ground is a necessary first step. a channel of on-going Conducting an awareness campaign becomes an essential last step. dialogue between the policy One last observation along these lines concerns the significance of creating the maker and the policy executor. proper and healthy environment for change. Starting a vigorous dialogue needs to This dialogue should address be supported with the indispensable arguments that are able to persuade others to itself to related issues that may accept the suggested change, on the basis of the obvious necessities arising. A basic answer basic and inter-related condition for building a proper academic environment is the provision of different questions, such as- What is the alternatives for each situation, different options for each circumstance. The idea is purpose for a new policy? How to keep the mind open for every possibility, and to continue motivating the could it be implemented? intelligence in order to allow the flow of choices for every particular problem. Let Would it go contrary to other us all keep our minds open and motivated for expected change. Does this sound policies within the system? logical? Does logic prevail? Would it reinforce, or support, other correlated policies? President Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa S.T.D.

 page 2|  issue 42 NDU Misssion Statement 2007-2008

NDU Mission Statement, Burden or Inspiration?

 | Ameen Albert Rihani

An immediate answer to this question family, your University, your hundreds of years ago; may be that the mission statement of community, and to humanity at large. focusing on the spiritual any institution of higher education significance of the Holy Virgin becomes a burden if we do not make To be inspired by the cultural heritage Mary as a symbol of divine an effort to understand it. It becomes of the Maronite Order of the Holy motherhood who uniquely an inspiration when such an effort is Virgin Mary is to know, analyze, and supports and enriches our made, and when an on-going stimulate this culture heritage which is relationship with the Divine discussion on campus is activated characterized by serving the beyond; and building a sense towards that purpose. In order to community in shaping its values; of compassion and tenderness better understand the mission educating the community in grasping in our conception of humanity statement of NDU perhaps it would and using knowledge; supporting the in its transcendental journey help to split the paragraphs into a community in building a sense of towards the Creator of the preface, or preamble, and four parts: attachment to the land, to society, and Universe. the preface determines the identity of to the nation; and assisting the the University in five key terms: community in providing knowledge and Nature of Education Catholicism, “Maronology”, Mariology, education for all. A landmark of the cultural heritage, and spiritual heritage. cultural heritage of the Lebanese The first part of the Mission The statement starts thus: Synod in 1736 is that Education is a Statement sets up the nature Right. It is worthwhile to notice here of education provided at the that NDU, being inspired by the University. It highlights that – “As a Catholic institution inspired cultural heritage of the Maronite Order by the cultural and spiritual of the Holy Virgin Mary, is motivated heritage of the Maronite Order of at the same time by the motto well- NDU seeks to provide the Holy Virgin Mary, Notre Dame known in Europe since the 16th comprehensive quality University-Louaize…” century considering a distinguished education that fosters (Mission Statement, lines 1-2). intellectual researcher to be “a scholar excellence in scholarship, Identity like a Maronite”. life-long learning, enlightened citizenship, Among the meanings of being Catholic To be inspired by the spiritual heritage human solidarity, moral there is to have, and enjoy, the of the Maronite Order of the Holy integrity, and belief in audacity of hope; to advance the Virgin Mary is to identify, recognize, God. (Mission Statement, dialogue between faith and reason; to and be motivated by this spiritual lines 3-5). discover the truth, accept it, embrace heritage which is characterized by In this respect I thought that it, preserve it, and impart it in all its maintaining a successful history of it would be worthwhile different forms; to let your Maronite rituals and traditions as explaining what I understand, performance be an act of love to your practiced in the Lebanese mountains personally, by each of the key

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terms found in this previous Enlightened citizenship indicates the the role of science, literature and art in section. If the previous need to be engaged in the values of human development. paragraph attempts to human rights, to appeal to the welfare determine the meaning of of our community, to build a liberal Philosophy and Standards of “comprehensive quality progressive spirit while dealing with Education education” by providing our national concerns, to get attracted precise following terms, then to a better future, and to learn how to The second part of the mission I, as a reader, should give accept the other and how to be statement defines the kind of specific meanings to each and tolerant in our common apprehensions. educational standards provided at the every term developed University. It emphasizes that – afterwards. Human solidarity designates a mutual respect and appreciation of each other, Excellence is a term an awareness of our self value and self In designing its curricula, NDU is frequently used, and rightly esteem, an understanding of the committed to the philosophy and so, in such contexts; that is common human values across cultures, standards of the American model why it is imperative to explain religions, languages, races, and nations, of liberal arts education. (Mission it. Excellence in scholarship and an on-going discovery of the Statement, lines 5-7). means to me effective universal common standards of The philosophy of the American learning, distinction in morality. education is based on the liberal arts learning, writing across the module, which proved to be a curriculum, thinking across Moral integrity implies that the effect successful system of higher education the curriculum, quality of any action will turn out to be right throughout the world. It is important, research, applied research, and only if good causes are set in motion; in this context, to try to explain the a clear move from acquiring that our daily life should be based on significance of the term liberal arts. knowledge to using the trinity of good thoughts, good knowledge, to creating words, and good deeds; that it is The Liberal Arts Education is knowledge. crucial to build a sense of personal distinguished by its flexibility where ethics, and self-reliance, in expressing student assessment is based on his/her Life-long learning signifies ourselves in pure beliefs, clean achievement in each course; by acquiring the habit of on- language, and bright conduct; and that diversity where students may chose going education, keeping honesty is one corner of moral majors, minors, and courses within abreast with the latest integrity. Another aspect would be their field of specialty and within the knowledge in our field of maturity, a third would be University educational requirements; by education, keeping acquainted responsibility, and a fourth an act of educational freedom where the with general information in love. students may pick up free electives and other areas of knowledge, free minors, and enjoy partial freedom allowing our intellectual Belief in God becomes significant if, within the major; by growth to be global and our and when, we benefit from our rational comprehensiveness that allows learning academic service to be skills to support our belief; if, and everything about something (the national, and bearing in mind when, we assist our reason with the Major) and to recognize something that we can learn from the power of our belief; if, and while at the about everything (the General most ignorant, and that we top of our scientific skills and Educational Requirements, GER); by should learn how “the world is achievements we rediscover God; and internationalism that allocates direct flat”. at the end of our belief we recognize access to the American university

 page 4|  issue 42 system worldwide; and effectiveness complete the whole moral and human The Common Good suggests that gives a good graduate student image of the University. This third part apprehension of the good that from an American-system university states the following: is shared and is beneficial for the chance to be accepted for his/her all, or most, members of a M.A. and/or Ph.D. in the most given community; concern for prestigious universities in the world Conceiving itself as an authentic the universal excellence that such as Harvard, which, for instance, a academic community, NDU represents "the greatest few years ago accepted one of our promotes diversity, respect for possible good for the greatest NDU students for him to pursue his human dignity and rights, and possible number of Master’s Degree in Architecture. concern for the common good. individuals”; an awareness and (Mission Statement, lines 7-9). an admission of the According to the Association of Diversity requires encouraging individual's basic rights in American Colleges and Universities, multiculturalism by including students society; and the distinction to liberal learning “…is an education that and/or faculty members of different be made between the Good fosters a well-grounded intellectual backgrounds in our academic life and and the Just: the Good, which flexibility, a disposition toward life- our research and other intellectual actively creates an improved long learning, and an acceptance of projects. Diversity entails assuring world however that may be responsibility for the ethical tolerance for people of different identified, and the Just, which consequences of our ideas and backgrounds. It educates students how creates a fair and liberal social actions.” Liberal learning “requires to function in a multicultural infrastructure that allows the that we understand the foundations of environment and open their minds to search of virtue. knowledge and inquiry about nature, the external world. Diversity supports culture and society; that we master creativity, flexibility and innovation Future Leaders core skills of perception, analysis, and among students and faculty members. expression; that we cultivate a respect The fourth and last part of the for truth; that we recognize the Human Dignity and Rights necessitate Mission Statement establishes importance of historical and cultural a certain attitude in expressing our the framework for the future context; and that we explore admiration for innate dignity and leaders that NDU prepares and connections among formal learning, equal, absolute rights of all members endorses. In this context the citizenship, and service to our of the human family around the world; Mission Statement comes to a communities.” in recognizing freedom of speech and closure with this following (www.aacu.org/resources/liberaleducatio belief and freedom from fear and want; affirmation: n/index.cfm) in supporting the right of education for everybody; in maintaining the right of Values work, and the right of being protected Its profound aspiration is by the law; in developing the right to a to prepare its students to The third part of the Mission standard of living adequate for the be future leaders who can Statement determines the values that health and well-being of the exercise reason upon NDU promotes. Some of these values individual; and in sustaining the right knowledge and shape a are already integrated within the to the protection of the moral and world of truth, justice, nature of education and within the material interests resulting from any love and freedom. (Mission philosophy and standards of education scientific, literary or artistic production Statement, lines 9-10). at NDU. However the following values of which he/she is the author. Exercising reason upon may stand by themselves in order to knowledge calls for an

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engagement in the processing, mean also Retributive Justice, and this Conclusion integration, and acquisition of is concerned with the proper reaction The above interpretations of the knowledge. Processing is the to misconduct. Justice might be more mission statement of our University are proper handing out of significant when it implies harmony, but simple suggestions that may invite knowledge in the right divine command, inspiring leadership, other ideas, similar or different, context, integration is the natural law, egalitarianism, fairness, capable of enriching the scope of this incorporation of knowledge and so on. statement and the spectrum of within a larger framework, unlimited meanings that it carries and acquisition is the gaining Love, or shaping a world of love, today, and might carry tomorrow. In of knowledge and adding it to invites you to try to imagine a world that sense the mission statement is the previous comprehension skills. without love and find out how dry it inspiring document that shall generate may look to; try to think how our articles, debates, dialogues, and on- Truth is a major concern in world may possibly be transformed into going discussions stirring a significant philosophy, theology, science, a better one, into a world of love; to and vibrant intellectual atmosphere and other aspects of human think of any one performance of yours about this subject on campus. thought. When it becomes a and look at the difference between part of a mission statement it performance as an act of love and For this purpose I have sorted out is definitely one of the key performance as an act of duty. This nineteen key words, or key terms, from words in that particular raises the following question: When this statement given below. These are statement. This term carries a can an act of duty becomes an act of Catholicism, Maronology, Mariology, wide range of meanings, and love? Effective Teaching, Life-long Learning, it is crucial to define the Enlightened Citizenship, Human significance of the term Freedom in this context is an attitude Solidarity, Moral Integrity, Belief in within the context of our and a state of mind. It means the God, Liberal Learning, Diversity, Human immediate concern. In order freedom of inquiry and acquisition of Dignity and Rights, Common Good, to shape a world of truth the knowledge for students and faculty Reason and Knowledge, Science and expression, in this sense, members, which is essential to the Religion, Future Leaders and indicates honesty, candor, educational mission of any academic Leadership, Truth, Love, Freedom. These genuineness, and good faith. community. Freedom of questioning a are the spiritual, intellectual, and For each phenomenon there is certain truth is maintained within a academic cornerstones of NDU’s past, a philosophic truth, a healthy academic environment. present, and future. theological truth, a scientific Teaching the value of freedom for a truth, and even a human human being, and particularly for a emotional truth. student or a scholar within an academic environment, is part of Justice, in this context, could teaching human rights and democracy. mean Distributive Justice, and Liberal arts education is one effective Diversity this is concerned with the way to understand and practice our Human Rights proper sharing of the material intellectual freedom based on our Truth Common God and moral good in all its rights and responsibilities. Excellence Justice forms such as wealth, power, Love Citizenship evaluation, reward, and Freedom respect among different Education people around the world, and among students, faculty members and staff. It could

 page 6|  issue 42 USA Tour 2-4/02/08

USA Tour, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles

NDU President Fr. Walid The question was treated of the concerns and new models for world Moussa and Dr. Assaad Eid, renewal required in order to face the cooperation in higher learning and Vice-President for Research series of challenges peculiar to the their utility, with attention to the and Development, recently present time, with special attention to exchange of programs, research, went on a tour of the United globalization and the demands of faculty members and students and to States, where they first took technology which affect academic life. the part played by technology in part in a Washington Most important was consideration of multiplying opportunities for gaining conference of Catholic the role of the Catholic university and knowledge through new techniques Universities and Institutes that the changes necessary without and procedures, taking into account lasted from the 2nd to 4th of departure from its Catholic identity the advantages and disadvantages for February, 2008. Participants and mission. university education. The conference there included representatives wound up with a presentation of its of Catholic institutions of The President and Vice-President also conclusions and of the solutions to be higher education from around represented NDU at the Ninetieth applied in the future. the world, coming with the Yearly Conference of the American aim of ensuring effective all- Council of Education held in California Fr. Walid Moussa and Dr. Assaad Eid round cooperation in the from the 9th to 12th of February, with a also made contact with influential future. massive participation of universities personalities in the city of Los Angeles, and institutes from all around the among them Dennis Zine, member of At the conference, attention world. The conference opened with a the City Council, to discuss the was focused on certain basic general and comprehensive review of twinning of Los Angeles with Beirut. questions, in particular those higher learning and the challenges During the subsequent stage of their concerning the social role of facing its leaders in the United States. tour they met the Friends of NDU in the Catholic Church and its Study groups considered common Boston. universities, with particular insistence on the values upheld by the Church and the part they play in serving the general community, as well as the role of the Church in university administration.

From left to right: Mr. Nachef, Dr. J. Nachef, Dr. A. Eid, Mr. Dennis Zine of LA City Hall, Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa, and Mr. I. Baaklini.

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As a Catholic university, NDU is committed to cultivating a spirit of charity and goodwill

Scholarship

NDU has always sought to As a Catholic university, NDU is Millie has told NDU Spirit that she has make quality higher education committed to cultivating a spirit of found Lebanon and NDU to be quite a available to Lebanese students charity and goodwill through these challenge, especially in view of the through scholarships, work- activities, first by reaching out to cold weather, for she presently resides study and financial aid. Christian and Muslim students in in Ajaltoun. Another challenge comes Recently, Father President Lebanon and now to students from from the fact of there being very, very Walid Moussa wisely decided reputable Catholic universities abroad. few other African students at NDU. to extend this policy to Father Moussa believes that this small She hopes that more Africans will be international students, step is significant in that it establishes attending NDU in the near future. offering a scholarship to a precedent whereby NDU’s Millie also tells us that she is Ms. Millie Achaa of Uganda international character may be impressed by her teachers and by the Martyrs University, Uganda, strengthened. This is not only program and has found most of the East Africa. She is pursuing a commensurate with NDU’s identity as a students in her department to be Master’s degree in Catholic university, but also in accord helpful. Architecture and has already with its recent decision to pursue  | Dr. Edward Alam successfully completed her American accreditation. first semester of preparatory 500 level undergraduate courses and looks forward to another challenging semester in spring, 2008.

Dr. Ameen Rihani, Miss Millie Achaa, Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa, and Dr. Edward Alam.

 page 8|  issue 42 NDU Choir in the USA 20th celebrations

NDU Choir in the USA

As part of the University’s twentieth First Stop: Los Angeles Choir visited the campus of El anniversary celebrations, NDU’s choir Camino College. A choral went on a two-week American tour Notre Dame University-Louaize, exchange allowed the that included performances in Los Lebanon, and El Camino College students to interact, sing and Angeles, Detroit and Boston. The tour became partners during Summer 2006. communicate with great was part of an ongoing initiative to In Fall 2006, the video-conferencing warmth and friendliness. Dr. build relationships with American connections between the choirs of the Tom Fallo, President of El universities and further develop the two institutions were most successful. Camino College, welcomed the American Friends of NDU support The students performed for each other NDU delegation at his office. group. To that end, the Choir’s tour live over the internet. Plans were then Dr. Assaad Eid, Father Samir was a great success. put in place to bring the Notre Dame Ghsoub, and Father Khalil University Choir to Los Angeles. El Rahme met Dr. Fransisco Arce, In Los Angeles, the visit to El Camino Camino College extended an official Vice President for Academic College laid a solid foundation for invitation to NDU and thanks to the Affairs, Dr. Gloria Miranda, future cooperation between the two generous donations of a few Dean of Behavioral and Social institutions. philanthropists, the Notre Dame Sciences, Dr. James Schwartz,

During the remaining days of the journey, the Choir was featured in several performances. In attendance were many Lebanese Americans, University Choir arrived in LA on May academics, and civic and religious 15th. Sixteen singers, two musicians figures. (kanounist and pianist), the famous Lebanese songbird Ronza (Aida Tomb), talented conductor Father Khalil Rahme, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design Dr. Assaad Eid and Director of Finance Father Samir Ghsoub made the trip to the The choir’s tour of USA. Los Angeles comprised a visit to Disneyland. On Wednesday, May 16th, the NDU

 page 9|  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

Interim Dean of Fine Arts, and appreciation with a spontaneous Mount Lebanon Cathedral, Beverly Bo Morton, Director of Grants. standing ovation. At the start of the Hills. event Dr. Nachef and Dr. Eid spoke of During the afternoon the collaboration between the two The parishioners were most impressed reception, the students institutions, NDU and El Camino, and with the professionalism, musicality demonstrated their mutual the progress that had been made. In and excellence of NDU’s performance. friendly intimacy with dances, his brief address, Dr. Eid thanked Dr. The excitement among the Lebanese fun and laughter. Dress Nachef and El Camino community for who were attending was electrifying rehearsals followed in the warm welcome, and promised and they were swept away by the preparation for the NDU Choir closer cooperation with El Camino beautiful and nostalgic musical LA Debut at El Camino on May College. journey. Father Zaidan extended an 19th, for the Ambassadors of invitation to the NDU Choir to Harmony concert. 180 choral Mr. Ferris Wehbe, President of participate at Mass on Sunday, May singers, who included 85 LA/Beirut Sister City Organization 20th. The Mass was most moving and singers who performed with arranged with Los Angeles City Council memorable with the marvelous solo Dr. Nachef on March 25, President Eric Garcetti and Council and choral segments of the NDU choir. 2007, at Carnegie Hall, N.Y., members Dennis Zine and Tome La and the NDU Choir presented Bonge, a historic celebration of the The Grove Celebration of the Sister Mozart’s Coronation Mass unveiling of the Beirut Sign, as Beirut Cities, May 20th, also featured the NDU with El Camino Symphony became the 22nd sister city of LA this Choir in an outdoor musicale under the baton of Dr. Joanna past summer. Both the ECC choir and representing LA/Beirut with its Medawar Nachef. The NDU the visiting NDU Choir sang the performances of Lebanese folk music. Choir, with an instrumental National Anthems of their respective All twenty-two sister cities were ensemble, presented countries and performed other musical present with their Consul Generals, outstanding Lebanese music in selections on Friday, May 18th, in the delegates and musical performers. The the second half. The audience presence of the Honorable Charbel open-air setting allowed hundreds of of some eight hundred or Wehbe, Ambassador of Lebanon, and people to witness this amazing more were most moved by the many other dignitaries. The NDU choir celebration of cultures and countries. concert and showed their was also featured at the Heritage Dr. Eid spoke briefly at the occasion. Night on May 18th, at Our Lady of He said:

NDU members with students and staff of El Comino College. The El Comino Choir.

 page 10 |  issue 42 NDU Choir in the USA 20th celebrations

For many years Lebanon has lived in a state of war, quite often in the form of internal conflict, or of different forms of suppression from the neighboring countries. The outcome was a devastating destruction of the major parts of its cities; Beirut, the capital, suffered the most. The downtown area, where the fiercest fights took place, was completely destroyed, but Lebanon prevailed. travelling to Detroit, Michigan. Lebanon shall never fall into despair. What we have witnessed here today At the airport, Fr. Khalil and confirms our trust in the future and with equal devotion and enthusiasm holds his assistants were anxiously us to our belief in an eternal Lebanon, and highlights those values we both waiting to welcome the choir. share: We both believe in freedom and hold to it. We both believe in democracy Following a short drive around and hold to it. We both suffered a lot to gain independence and sovereignty. We the city, and a welcoming both have paid a heavy price in the face of terrorism. But because we enjoy the early dinner, the choir were will-power, determination and courage to always strive for a better future for received by Madonna our countries and because we both have faith in our countries, we shall prevail. University personnel. Sister Nancy’s warm welcome and During their LA stay, the members of op at the First Flower Talking Clock in the hospitality in addition to the the NDU delegation were the guests of US and an authentic Mexican meal surrounding beautiful natural many generous Lebanese Americans: followed at the Red Onion Restaurant setting made the travelers with the Medawar and Nachef clan. enjoy a really comfortable and  | A warm welcome by Mayfair Hotel relaxing night. manager Mr. Ghassan Sader gave the  | LA/Beirut Sister City Organization travelers a sense of comfort and held their farewell dinner for the NDU On Tuesday, May 22, the choir relaxation. Choir at the impressive and elegant finally had their shopping Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale. Our tour. Fr. Khalil and his  | A delicious welcoming dinner was generous host, Mr. Ara Kalfayan, made assistants were most helpful. offered by LA/Beirut Sister City President the event most enjoyable with his A delicious lunch was later Mr. Ferris Wehbe and his family at Bucca professional treatment and warm offered by Elie’s Restaurant, a Di Peppo restaurant in Universal City. welcome. luxurious Lebanese restaurant in the suburbs of Livonia,  | Mr. Michel Medawar, the famous Michigan. That evening Lebanese inventor of the Talking Clocks, Second Stop: Detroit featured the St. Charbel hosted the group at his family’s Jewelry Concert, which turned out to Store in Palos Verdies, Medawar’s On Monday, May 21, the choir be a real festival. Three Jewelers. A visit to his workshop, a photo- continued their US journey by speeches opened the event,

The unveiling of the Beirut Sign for the twinning of LA and Beirut. The welcome of Madonna University.

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those of Monsignor Michael preparing for this world-class artistic programs among the American- Kail, Dr. Assaad Eid, and event. The talent and brilliance Lebanese community. The tour was Fr. J. Khalil. exhibited by the visiting artists from part of an ongoing initiative to build Lebanon electrified the audience, and relationships with American The program included a as one member of the audience said, universities and further develop the variety of musical pieces. “It showed a beautiful face of Lebanon American Friends of NDU support that sometimes gets murky from the group. To that end, the NDU choir’s fog of war and conflict.” Boston performance was a great Third Stop: Boston success. In attendance were many Four speakers spoke briefly at the start Lebanese Americans, academics, artists, On Thursday, May 24th, the of the event: Mr. Michael Halal (of the and political, civic and religious choir of NDU presented a WLCU) focused on the theme of the leaders. The choir thrilled the audience splendid concert at Boston concerts, “Voices of Hope from of the 600-seat Robsham Theater of College, Boston, USA. It was Lebanon”. Dr. Loutfallah Georges Boston College with an unforgettable the first time the choir had Chedid (President of the Boston performance. performed in Boston and was Chapter of American Friends of NDU) the last concert of a three- spoke of the noble mission of NDU, its The program included a variety of city American tour that remarkable accomplishments in the musical pieces including old hymns, included performances in Los last 20 years, the need to support this popular Lebanese love songs and Angeles and Detroit. The institution, and the role of American folklore pieces. The audience enjoyed Boston concert was co- Friends of NDU. Chorbishop Joseph sparkling new arrangements of familiar sponsored by Our Lady of the Lahoud of Our Lady of the Cedars secular and sacred songs. The Cedars of Lebanon Church, Church stressed the historical and performance also featured some American Friends of NDU, and cultural links between Lebanon and the original compositions by Father Rahme, the Boston chapter of the Boston area, and the role that NDU including Halleluia, In A Village Obscure World Lebanese Cultural plays in strengthening those links. and the premiere performance of Union (WLCU). The concert Dr. Assaad Eid delivered the greetings Charbel Makhlouf, both of which was hosted by Boston College. of the President, faculty and students received enthusiastic standing ovations The Lebanese community in of NDU to the Boston audience, and from the audience, as did many other Boston and Massachusetts gave a brief introduction outlining pieces. truly came together in NDU’s goals, its accomplishments and its future plans. Legendary master percussionist Michel

The beautiful Madonna University Campus. Merhej accompanied the choir. Michel The tour of the Merhej has taught at Lebanon’s choir was part of National Conservatory and played for NDU’s 20th the Rahbani Brothers and Fairuz, and anniversary currently performs with the brilliant celebrations by composer and performer Simon which the Shaheen and his ensemble. The choir University was also accompanied by an aspired to raise outstanding local string quartet from awareness of its the Newton Symphony Orchestra. educational and Caught up in the spirit of music, and cultural delighted by the novelty of performing

 page 12 |  issue 42 NDU Choir in the USA 20th celebrations

alongside ‘anun and tableh, these Cedars Church was enlivened by the Ghazi Saab, Jean Dagher, American musicians played like voice of soloist Aida Tomb. The local Marcel Georges, Chorbishop “natives” of the Levant. Lebanese-American newspaper, Profile Joseph Lahoud, and Michael News, ran an article proclaiming the Halal. With emotional expressions of resounding success of the NDU Choir’s gratitude, at the end of the performance. No doubt the beauty and Finally, this U.S journey would performance the concert organizing significance of the event will resonate not have been possible committee presented the University with all those who had the good without the efforts of all with a check of proceeds from the fortune to be associated with it for those who contributed to it, concert to the amount of $10,000 to years to come. namely: be used for scholarships for needy students. In turn, the choir and Dean The choir members and their roles at Mrs. Joanna Nachef, Mr. and Eid presented the organizing this concert were as follows: director: Mrs. Medawar, Mr. Ferris committee members with NDU choir Father Khalil Rahme; soloist: Aida Wehbe, El Camino Community plaques as a token of appreciation for Tomb – Ronza; organist: Dolcy Laoun; College, El Camino Choir, their hospitality and for their having ‘anunist: Maguy Makhoul; SOPRANOS: LA/Beirut Sisters City, Father helped to organize the concert. The Josiane Chalhoub, Pascale Haddad, Zeidan, Father Joseph Khalil, young children of two of the Tamy Helou, and Nadine Nassar; The Maronite Mariamite organizing committee members ALTOS: Lody Batal, Rana Richa, Rania Community in Michigan, Sister presented red roses to each of the Zeidan; TENORS: Charbel Abi Rached, Nancy, Madonna University, performers. Mario Nakouzi, Jalal Possik; and BASS: Monsignor Kail, Monsignor Fernando Affara, Alain Chalhoub, Fady Lahoud, Dr. Loutfallah Chedid In the days following the concert, the Nakouzi, and Tony Sfeir. and his family, American bonds between NDU and the Boston Friends of NDU in Boston, community continued to grow. The The organizing committee members in Father Sami Farah, Ghada, choir members were treated to a tour Boston were the following: Loutfallah Jeanette, Carol, Joseph, of Boston, and Chorbishop Lahoud Georges Chedid, Nancy Chedid, Susan Gilbert, Father Boutros offered an elegant luncheon for the Fuccillo, Mona Tamo, Maguy Pollak, Tarabay, Father Samir choir and the members of the David Abi Chaker, Nicole Gabriel Ghoussoub, Dr. Ameen Rihani, organizing committee. A truly Nassar, Pierre Gabriel, Charles El-Helou, NDU, Father Walid Moussa, memorable Mass at Our Lady of the Henriette Kassis, Rosanne Solomon, and Father Elie Zwein.

The Boston College Concert. A welcome from the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars.

 page 13 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

WEERC Workshop

On Tuesday, 18th December, 2007, the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and the Water, Energy and Environment Research Center of NDU, held a joint workshop entitled The Implementation of Janneh Dam on Nahr Ibrahim River – Jbeil at the Old Campus, in collaboration with Consolidated Engineering Company – Khatib & Alami. It was sponsored by Byblos Bank. At the opening, the speakers were Fr. Walid Moussa, NDU President, Mr. Suhail Matar, NDU General Director of Public Relations, Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General at the MEW and Director of WEERC, representing Minister Mohammad Al Safadi, and Mr. Fadi Nassar, AGM – Head of Corporate Banking, representing Dr. François Bassil, Chairman and General Manager of Byblos Bank S.A.L..

The first session was presided by At the second session, presided by Dr. Dr. Adel Cortas, former Minister of Ali Moumen, FAO Representative in Agriculture. Dr. Fadi Comair spoke on Lebanon, Dr. Hadi Jaafar, Agricultural Public and Private Partnership for Engineer and Hydrologist at Khatib & Project Financing D.B.O.T.. Dr. Adel Alami, spoke on the Hydrology of Nahr Abou Jaoudé, Civil and Hydraulic Ibrahim. Mrs Nasrine Ghattas, Engineer at Khatib & Alami spoke on Hydraulic Structure Engineer at Khatib Water Management. Finally, before & Alami, and Mr. André Atallah, the coffee break, Ms. Laurence Charbel, Professor of Hydraulic Structures, dealt Geologist at Khatib & Alami, spoke on with Project Design. Dr. Adel Abou Surface Geology and Investigation. Jaoudé spoke on Hydroelectricity Production and was followed by two of

 page 14 |  issue 42 WEERC 18/12/07

Khatib & Alami’s Environmental Therefore the General Directorate of that is normally lost in the sea Engineers, Dr. Ali Zeidan and Ms. Héra Hydraulic and Electrical Resources has during the winter is to be Haytayan, dealing with the vital subject undertaken an ambition programme returned naturally or of Environmental Impact Assessment. within the framework of its ten-year artificially into the There was general discussion and then plan, 2000 – 2009. subterranean table. For this a lunch. White Book will be necessary. This programme provides for some Objective thirty dams and hillside lakes to hold a Finally, the countries of the The statement of the objective of the yearly volume of 800 million cubic region must reach agreement workshop points out that whereas metres of water to be distributed in on the use of water to ensure human activity has always used water times of drought. With its eight- future peace. as indispensable for life, now million cubic metre capacity, the demographic growth, climatic change Chabrouh Dam inaugurated 3rd and the social and economic October, 2007, will make good the transformations of the 20th century shortage of drinking water in Kesrouan have created a new situation with and a part of Metn until 2025. The much environmental degradation. In plan also provides for the collection of Lebanon water has become a resource waste water throughout Lebanon and that is rare and limits development. its use for irrigation. Further, water

Dr. Fadi Comair representing Minister Al Safadi.

The opening of the workshop.

The scientific audience.

 page 15 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities LERC News

 | Elie Nabhan Lisbon Event

In Lisbon, Portugal, between the 7th and Roberto Khatlab, writer and researcher, and 9th November 2007, the Portuguese LERC’s Latin-American Liaison Officer, Historical Academy, the Centre for Anglo- represented The Lebanese Emigration Portuguese Studies and the Centre of Research Center of NDU and the Museum History at Lisbon University together National/University Federal of Rio de hosted The International and Janeiro (MN/UFRJ). Mr. Khatlab examined Interdisciplinary Congress on the Peninsular the historic relationship between Lebanon- War (1807-1814), which commemorated Portugal-Brazil that dawned during the the second centenary of the Napoleonic Phoenician era, was strengthened during invasions of Portugal. The sessions were the Crusades of the 12th century and from held at Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, the 15th Century onwards, and evolved with an exhibition at the National Library with these “Christians of the Orient” who relating to the Peninsular War running arrived by sea in Brazil with the concurrently. Portuguese.

Mexico Event Commemorating Lebanese Emigrants

Beirut, 8th December 2007: President of the Municipality Julem by the Mexican Ambassador to The rain held off for a few Rementeria, members of the Executive Lebanon, H.E Jorge Alvarez and the hours to allow a Committee of the Lebanese Club in Honorary Consul of Mexico, Roger commemorative ceremony Mexico and other members, Lebanese Abed, members of the Municipal celebrating the remarkable Ambassador to Mexico H.E. Nouhad Council of Beirut, the Associate role of migration in the Mahmoud, Maronite Bishop for Mexico Director of the Lebanese Emigration modern history of both Msgr. Georges Saad Abi Younes, and Research Center Ms. Guita Hourani, the Mexico and Lebanon at the members of the Lebanese community. President of the Mexican-Lebanese memorial of the Lebanese Friendship Association Dr. George Emigrant at Charles Helou In Lebanon the ceremony was attended Hayek, and the Secretary General of Avenue, who poignantly faces the Port of Beirut, main point The Lebanese Emigrant monument of departure to Mexico for stands proudly in the idyllic port of H. E. the Ambassador of Mexico, Jorge Veracruz, a popular landing point for thousands of Lebanese Alvarez, addressing the audience at Lebanese entering Mexico (2007). emigrants. the site of the Lebanese Emigrant memorial at the Port of Beirut (2007) Concurrently, a replica of the Lebanese Emigrant statue was unveiled at the Port of Veracruz, in Mexico, main port of landing for Lebanese emigrants. The ceremony was attended by Veracruz State Governor Fidel Herrera,

 page 16 |  issue 42 LERC News LERC the World Lebanese Cultural Union. bridge between the two countries and Also present were Latin-American their peoples. ambassadors, mayors of Lebanese villages with many emigrants to During the ceremony in Beirut, all Mexico, members of the Mexican those attending stood in tents erected community in Lebanon and Lebanese- around the statue but stepped out into Mexican returnees and their families. the court while the national flags of NDU publication Both ceremonies highlighted the both countries were hoisted and the launched at BIEL Lebanese emigrants’ contribution to national anthems played. H. E. Jorge Mexico as well as their deep Alvarez then paid a moving tribute to Beirut 14th December, 2007: A attachment to the land of their the history and customs of Lebanese book-signing by author Dr. ancestors. A statement issued by the emigrants to Mexico, explaining with Dunia Fayad Taan of her work Mexican Embassy paid tribute to the mesmerizing eloquence the deep The Lebanese in the Ivory qualities and contributions of the friendship between both countries and Coast 1900-1986, took place Lebanese migrants and their peoples. Other brief speeches and at the Notre Dame University descendants poems marked the occasion and linked stand at the 51st Beirut symbolically the ceremonies at the two International Arab Book Traditionally, it said, Lebanon was widely-separated ports. Festival held in the Beirut often seen as the embodiment of the International Exhibition and many push-and-pull factors that incite LERC was represented at the event by Leisure (BIEL) Conference people to leave their homelands and Associate Director Guita Hourani, by Center. 133 publishing houses attract some to return after long Research Assistant Elie Nabhan, by were represented at an event journeys. Modern-day Mexico was a LERC’s Latin-American liaison officer which has taken place every fine example of an organized, Roberto Khatlab, and by Rodriquez year since 1956 despite the supportive and well-integrated Hourani, a returnee and a member of most violent upheavals. Its community of Mexicans of Lebanese the Friends of LERC. relative openness and origin that was seen to have created a tolerance is a tribute to the freedom of thought and speech throughout the Arab World.

Dr. Taan, an Associate At the unveiling of the Lebanese Researcher at the Lebanese Emigrant monument in Mexico: H.E. Emigration and Research Fidel Herrera, Governor of the State Center of NDU, is an ethno- of Veracruz, receiving a memento to mark the event (2007). sociologist with a Ph.D. from the Université de Nice in Attending the Mexican ceremony France and her book, an in Beirut, from left to right: Mr. Elie Nabhan, LERC's expansion of her dissertation Rapporteur/Website Editor; Les Libanais en Cote d’Ivoire Associate Director of LERC d’Hier à Aujourd’hui, was a Ms. Guita Hourani; H.E the recent publication of NDU. Ambassador of Mexico Jorge Alvarez; and Mr. Rodrigue She hails from South Lebanon Hourani, an expatriate. (2007) and has spent time studying and living abroad, especially in France, Morocco and the Ivory Coast. The book is a result of

 page 17 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities LERC News

Resources pooled at international conference on “gender” research further research into West An international conference titled The presentation being followed by Africa and will prove Status of Gender Research in Denmark discussion. invaluable to researchers and and the Arab Region was held at the students interested in the field Lebanese American University in Beirut With the presentations taking place in of migration. Supporters from from the 14th to 16th January 2008. the morning, the afternoons were NDU, from Dr. Taan’s family The conference brought together the dedicated to two simultaneous and from her wide circle of Danish Centre for Information on workshops conducted by two scholars, friends attended the signing. Women and Gender (KVINFO) and the one hailing from Denmark and the Institute for Women’s Studies in the other from the Arab region. Workshop I Arab World (IWSAW) of the LAU with focused on the theme of Women, the aim of addressing the current Minorities and Migration, while challenges of gender research in both Workshop II concentrated on Women, Denmark and the Arab region in two Secular and Religious Laws. Members simultaneous workshops, namely working within the network established Women, Minorities and Migration and during this conference were Women, Secular and Religious Laws. encouraged to discuss future research The Conference successfully realized its ideas for more research possibilities. goal of creating a network among researchers working on gender in Ms. Guita Hourani, Associate Director Book-signing of The Lebanese Denmark and the Arab region. The of the Lebanese Emigration and in the Ivory Coast 1900-1986 experts focused on the status of Research Center at the Notre Dame at the NDU Stand at BIEL. research status in Denmark, Lebanon, University, represented the Center and From left to right: Mr. George Mghames, Director of Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, participated in the three-day event as Publications, NDU, author Dr. Tunisia, Algeria and Yemen, with each an expert on migration in Lebanon. Dunia Fayad-Taan and LERC's Associate Director, Ms. Guita Opening session of the LAU conference on the Hourani (2007). Status of Gender. From left to right: Dr. Mahmoud Issa, Senior Consultant, KVINFO; Dr. Abdallah Sfeir, VPAA, LAU; and Dr. Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, Director, IWSAW (2007).

The participants at the Conference on Gender at the LAU, 2007. LERC's Associate Director Guita Hourani is seventh from the left at the back.

Dr. Dunia Fayad-Taan, author, talking to Dr. Mansour Eid, Chairperson Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NDU, and other guests.

 page 18 |  issue 42 LERC Brazil LERC

Basma Abdel Khalek graduated from Saint Joseph Alex Henley, dual British and French citizenship, BA University in Beirut in June 2007, with a BA in in Theology and Religion, MA with distinction in Economics. While there, she was an active member of Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies from Durham, UK, Lebyouth, an NGO established by university students in 2007. His thesis was entitled Lebanon’s Turbulent Lebanon. Lebyouth established the Internship Program See: A Study on the Impact of the Lebanese Civil War in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance in on the Institution of the Maronite Patriarchate. He Lebanon. And through this Abdel Khalek was accepted has been engaged in journalism and academic work for a one-month internship at the Ministry during focused on Middle Eastern politics, and particularly summer 2007. She was also recommended by her Lebanese religious identities. He has written for The superior in the Department of the Budget to undergo another internship Tablet, London, and the Middle East Times, Washington DC, as well as at a different department. She is also active in Naharashabab and is taking up an internship in BBC Current Affairs. His article Politics of a preparing a research directed by the Shadow Government of Youth to Church at War: Maronite Catholicism in the Lebanese Civil Waris under study implementation of administrative decentralization in Lebanon to consideration for publication, and he has been invited to speak at the provide the Lebanese people and policymakers with ideas about how to Middle East Studies Association annual conference in Washington this enhance governmental work and public service. She participates in the November. He hopes shortly to begin doctoral research on clerical Youth Economic Forum's activities, which constitute a platform for leadership in Lebanon’s power-sharing communities. economic dialogue among young Lebanese from various backgrounds, During his association with the Lebanese Emigration Research Center in to encourage new recommendations and initiatives for economic growth the Spring Semester of 2008, he will be working on Religion and and empowerment of both the public and private sectors. Diaspora with Dr. Edward Alam. While at LERC, Abdel Khalek will be conducting primary research on the Lebanese banking services, including housing loans, directed at Lebanese expatriates. Ali Hijazi, BA: He is an MBA student at the Holy Spirit University with a BA in Auditing and Accounting and a one-year study abroad at the Henry Ford Community College in Michigan, USA. Mr. Hijazi has worked as a Edward J. Alam, Associate Professor at NDU since Field Officer for Relief International, as Junior Accountant at the Trust for 1996, American and Lebanese national. As Director of Consulting and Auditing, as Assistant Financial Manager at Dar Al International Academic Affairs he helped to implement Mughtareb for Printing and Editing, and as Accountant for the Teachers’ many ground-breaking projects. He has published one Syndicate. major book and articles and reviews in important Mr. Hijazi has been associated with LERC as a Research Assistant for a international philosophical and theological journals, year. His recent task was to assess the economic and social situation in notably the Catholic Review Communio. Dr. Alam eight villages/towns in the Caza of Sour (Tyre) and to interview initiated and directed a Metanexus LSI project, stakeholders and micro-credit beneficiaries for a project aiming at devoted to the interface between religion and science, studying the potential impact of micro-credit on curbing emigration from which was awarded a supplementary grant in 2004 for its outstanding the South. accomplishments and innovations. Nanor Karageozian graduated with a BA in Business Dr. Alam has spoken in Rome and Bangkok on Metaphysics and Administration from Haigazian University in 2003 with Mysticism, and twice in Iran on the Catholic contribution to the High Honors following her placement on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He presided over a gathering of President’s List. She studied part of her MA in Public prominent Lebanese intellectuals and published the proceedings in a Administration at Concordia University in Montreal, volume titled God in Multicultural Society. He taught for one month in Canada and completed it at the American University the Faculty of Theology at Sweden’s Uppsala University. of Beirut in November of 2007. Her MA thesis dealt Dr. Alam joins LERC as an Adjunct Research Associate to conduct with Armenia’s diaspora policies, for which she research on Diaspora and Religion. [ [email protected] ] traveled to Armenia and conducted interviews with key policy actors. Karageozian worked as a graduate research assistant at AUB from 2005 to 2007, and then at the Department of Political Dina Almissber-von Angern, a Syrian national, Studies and Public Administration. She has also worked as a freelance graduated from Damascus University with a B.A. in editor and has been involved in Armenian-Lebanese community Architectural Engineering. Her final project was entitled activities. She is currently on LAU staff working as the web editor of the A Combined Center for Biological Research and Natural Lebanese American University’s Marketing and Communications Tourism in the Umm at-Tuyoor National Park. She Department. spent two years at Halle University in Germany as a As a Research Assistant at the Lebanese Emigration Research Center, Ms. guest student. She then worked in Damascus free-lance Karageozian will be researching the migration of the Armenian- on the restoration and re-use of antique houses in the Lebanese. She will carry out historical analysis and analysis of secondary old town of Damascus and the planning of buildings sources, as well as conducting interviews with Armenian and Lebanese related to pastoral projects. She finished a Diploma in Architecture and community leaders, and with government officials, in order to study the Planning at Damascus University with a thesis entitled Consequences of migration of the Armenian-Lebanese and other Lebanese, with its causes the Lack of Urban and Regional Planning in Suburban Settlements as a and with its effects on both their community and on Lebanon. Problem for Infrastructural Development, Life Quality and Safety. Currently, she is the head of studies at the Engineering Department of Dennis Kumetat, German-born, holds a Master?s the Ministry of Higher Education in Damascus, where she is responsible Degree in Contemporary and Medieval History, for the infrastructural development of the Syrian State University. specializing in Modern Economic History. His Master’s While her husband Wolf-Hagen von Angern is conducting his research thesis, German Business and Policies in the Middle work at LERC, Dina will benefit from the facilities at NDU by continuing East: Iraq, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia 1933-1939 is to be her work on her Master’s thesis in Urban and Regional Planning. published in a series of working papers on the [email protected] economy of the Middle East of the Freie University, Berlin. Kumetat has also studied Protestant Theology,

 page 19 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities LERC News

History, Philosophy, Arabic and Social Sciences at the Universities of Wolf-Hagen von Angern, a German National, is a Cologne and Bonn, Germany, and spent one year (2004/05) at the AUB PhD candidate at the Institute for Islamic and Arab and the Near East School of Theology, Beirut. He has worked on Studies at the University of Cologne in Germany and publications in other fields of interests, such as Germany’s foreign policy PhD-stipendiary of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation. and her expatriates in the Levant during WW II, and written articles in He received in 2005 and 2006 stipends from the the magazine of the German-Speaking Protestant Congregation of German Academic Exchange Service DAAD for Arabic Beirut as well as The Conception of Truth in Christianity and World language studies in Damascus, Syria. Since November Religions: Recent Theological Developments, to be published by mid- 2007 he has also been affiliate researcher at the 2008. He is currently preparing a second Master’s Degree in Middle Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies (CAMES) Eastern Studies at the AUB which is being offered by the Center for at the American University of Beirut. His dissertation is entitled World Arab and Middle Eastern Studies (CAMES). View, Judgment and Role of Confessional Groups in Lebanon: Self- Kumetat plans to stay in Lebanon until summer 2008 carrying out a Conception and Images of “the others” in a Multi-Confessional Society. survey of the German commitment to Lebanon combined with a series This research project is aimed at detecting chances and obstacles for of stakeholder interviews with representatives of German and Lebanese coexistence of Lebanon’s confessional groups from a historical, institutions. [email protected] sociological and religious perspective by identifying deep-rooted biases and preconceptions among the Lebanese communities. The research will also touch upon the issue of emigration as a means to overcome the Yara Romariz Maasri is a dual Brazilian and Lebanese national, former troubled situation in Lebanon. English Literature student at AUB, for three semesters on the Dean’s He studied Extra-European History with focus on decolonization Honor List, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She transferred to the processes in the Middle East and South East Asia and International University of St Andrew’s, Scotland, graduating in 2005 with MA First Relations with focus on Security Policy in the Arab Gulf at the Class Honours in English with Linguistics. Her undergraduate University of Hagen, Germany. His Master’s thesis was entitled The Gulf dissertation was titled The Century of Strangers: culture, generation and Cooperation Council GCC – Security by Military Cooperation? and dealt gender in “White Teeth”. She spent a year in Rome, studying Italian and with the national and international impacts on implementing volunteering for three-and-a-half months at the Food and Agriculture cooperative security structures in a highly volatile regional environment. Organization of the United Nations. In 2006 she began her During his affiliation with the Lebanese Emigration Research Center postgraduate studies at the Refugee Studies Centre of the University of LERC, von Angern will be conducting a questionnaire-based field Oxford, completing her MSc in Forced Migration in 2007. While at the research and a series of expert interviews. University of Oxford, in addition to producing her postgraduate thesis titled You have your Lebanon and I have my Lebanon: conflict-induced displacement and identity’, she researched and co-authored a project titled Dispersing the Displaced: Adaptive Strategies in the Face of UK LERC New Program of Unpaid Internships Dispersal Policy. She is the co-author of Internships: rite of passage for students of forced migration? in issue 28 of Forced Migration Review. forLocal and International Students Her interests include sociolinguistics, transnationalism and diaspora, and notions of identity, especially in the light of migration. The Lebanese Emigration Research Center at Notre Dame University During her association with the Lebanese Emigration Research Center offers a limited number of unpaid internships for current graduate she will be researching and writing a paper on the topic of diaspora and students, or recent graduates, who have either studied or are conducting investment. their senior research project or Master’s thesis on migration-related subjects. They usually last between three months and one year and Leonardo Augusto Schiocchet is a Brazilian and allow a graduate to gain valuable work experience while improving Italian national, BA Social Science, Universidade communication and networking skills. They prepare a young graduate to Federal do Paraná (1999-2003), MA from the enter the job market and help him or her to build up human and social prestigious Masters Program in Social Anthropology at capital. the Universidade de Brasilia (2003-2005), currently a CAPES/FULBRIGHT Scholarship Fellow and PhD The main assignment of the interns is either to assist LERC in research candidate in Social Anthropology at Boston University. on a project such as Diaspora and Religion, Diaspora and Investment or Emigration from Lebanon, or to conduct independent research of Schiocchet was a researcher at the Institute for the interest to LERC and of benefit to Lebanese migration studies. The Study of Muslim Societies and Civilizations at Boston interns will review theory and literature, collect and review media University and at the Social Science and Religion Network (SSRN) at coverage, and conduct original research using social science Boston University. and taught on the Power and Society in the Middle methodologies. They may also assist with gathering information for East at the Department of Anthropology at Boston University. projects and in drafting papers. Schiocchet wrote Tribes and Power: Nationalism and Ethnicity in the Middle East and many publications in Portuguese. He has participated Interns will have access to LERC’s library, electronic archives, database, in public debates, including one with Anat Biletski on Inside Lebanon: museum, private archives and collections, and to NDU and other Centripetal and Centrifugal Identity Tendencies-Schism and university libraries and facilities. They will enjoy facilities for their Reconciliation at Boston University in 2007 and another on Challenges fieldwork, interviews and surveys, and access to local and/or from the Field at the Social Science and Religion Network of Boston international experts. University in 2006. He is also a passionate photographer with several exhibitions under his belt. The Program was launched at the beginning of January 2008 and so far During his association with the Lebanese Emigration Research Centre, Mr. Alex Henley, MA Durham, UK, Ms. Yara Maasri, MSc Oxford also UK, Schiocchet will be conducting field research and examining Palestinian and Ms. Basma Abdel Khalek, BA Saint Joseph’s University in Lebanon identities among camp dwellers in Lebanon, mainly the Wavell Camp have been accepted. During their association with the Center, Henley next to Baalbak and the Dbayeh Camp, one of the smallest camps in will be working on Religion and Diaspora, Maasri will be researching Lebanon, for his Ph.D. thesis at Boston University, USA. Expatriate Direct Investment, and Abdel Khalek will be conducting field work on Banking Services to Expatriates.

 page 20 |  issue 42 Exhibition FAAD NDU 20th Anniversary

FAAD Exhibition

In the framework of the NDU 20th Majdalani and the students Abdou The projects were part of the Anniversary activities, the FAAD Design Gemayel and Fares Ayoub. NDU 20th Anniversary Department organized an exhibition in Competition launched in May Friends’ Hall, lasting from December 5 Fr. Walid Moussa expressed 2007 entitled From Joining to until December12. appreciation of the creativity and skills Belonging. The winners and of the students and encouraged them the prizes were to be The Director General of the Education to continue with the same motivation announced in another Ministry, Mr.FadyYarak, and the in their future professional career. ceremony. President of NDU, Fr. Walid Moussa, attended the exhibition, as well as More than two hundred projects in A special ceramics sale took Chairpersons and other officials of the photography, conceptual place at which more than University. Mr. Habib Melki, Dean of communication, drawing, basic design three hundred pieces were FAAD, welcomed the assembly and and technical skills were exhibited. displayed. Many were sold, declared the exhibition open; he NDU students endeavored to convey the money raised going to thanked the instructors, the jury and through art and design the special charity. the members of the organizing relationship that ties them to their committee, namely Ms. Roula University. This display of FAAD’s work will be followed by other exhibitions boosting the student’s motivation and expanding their horizons.

Removing the masks. Left to right: H. Melki, Fr. Moussa, F. Yarak, R. Majdalani, S. Matar, and S. Muller

Left to right: Fadi Yarak, Suheil Matar, Sabah Matar, and Fr. Walid Moussa.

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Workshop at Aleppo City

A university should not be merely a fortress which dates back to the facility that provides its student body Crusades is an absolutely amazing Spring 2007 - Aleppo with an education through textbooks work of architecture that represents and practical work but should ensure the impressive craftsmanship of interactive life-teaching experiences, ancient times. It is a well-preserved ones similar to the workshop at Aleppo castle built on a grandiose scale, one City attended by faculty and staff that would have been impregnable to members of FAAD (Faculty of its enemies due to its high curtain Architecture, Art & Design), three walls that surround the entire location. graduate students and the twelve Made of stone blocks, with arched students of Urbanism II during Spring doorways and windows, arrow-slits for Elissar Doumit, Senior, 2007. defense, and greenery spread over its FAAD grounds, this castle is evidence of the Photos: Nicolas Gabriel In the early hours of the morning on civilizations that dominated the Middle and William Choukeir the 18th of May, 2007, we, faculty, East for a long period. staff and students, gathered at the main campus of NDU eager to start our After spending several hours lost inside journey. After a long drive, we arrived the fortress, we got back inside the bus at our first destination, the Crac des to visit the Church of Our Lady of the Chevaliers near Homs. This medieval Belt and the Church of the Forty

A delightful pause in Tripoli. Author Elissar at Crac des Chevaliers. The group under the massive walls of the Crac. Some workshop members overawed by the mighty Crac. Our two expert photographers snapping the charms of Homs.

 page 22 |  issue 42 Aleppo FAAD

Martyrs in Homs and then we were off architectural aspects, for it covers out, as they were unable to to Aleppo City. After a quick lunch we environmental, economic, cultural and afford restoration work. reached our hotel to unpack, refresh social developments such as the Unfortunately, this resulted in ourselves and get some rest before participation of the community and the the Master Plan of ’74 based heading out for a night tour of the training of local staff. on razing the old buildings. city. We had dinner at Waness However, the need to preserve Restaurant, known for its hearty Upon arrival in the city center we cultural heritage became more masheweh, but not before stopping at walked along its beautiful streets to evident when Aleppo was the main mosque of Aleppo, with its reach the Shibani School in an already declared a UNESCO World wide courtyard, traditional Islamic restored section of Aleppo. We were Cultural Heritage in 1986. architecture, intricate ornamentation received by Mr. Fansa and Mr. Majed Aiming to preserve the living and wide arches, all of which make the Zammar, head of the Design urban fabric while renovating mosque a striking tourist site of the Department of the Directorate of the the Old City, the program city. Old City of Aleppo, who led us into the tackled issues such as museum to explain about the ongoing developing its framework, The following day, the 19th of May, rehabilitation process of the city and upgrading public space, 2007, we took part in the workshop citadel and the need for rehabilitation renewal of the water supply hosted by Mr. Khaldoun Fansa of the in the first place. and sewer networks, traffic Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Syria. The management, housing funds, Aga Khan Trust for Culture includes Considered one of the oldest cities in urban environment several programs, among them The the world, Aleppo reflects ancient Historic Cities Support Program, which history in its souk and old street layout is concerned with the conservation and dating back to the Hellenistic, rehabilitation of historic buildings in Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the Islamic World. Moreover, this However, the deteriorating state of the program includes more than purely buildings forced the residents to move

A relaxed ambiance for refreshment in Homs. The Church of the Forty Martyrs in Homs. The night-time beauty of Aleppo, with its mighty fortress. Presentation in the Shibani School, with French and local experts explaining.

 page 23 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

development, restoration make Aleppo a more tourist-friendly centuries-old structure? Would they of monuments, tourism, city. However, none of this would have decrease its value? Most were and social, cultural, and been possible without the cooperation concerned lest these realizations would community development. of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and not be what visitors were expecting to The steps involved the Arab Fund for Social and Economic see, so they might spoil the visitors’ included assessing land development. overall experience. In other words, it is use for a harmonious extremely important when making mixing of residential, After our visit to the museum, there improvements to use architecture in business, and open were three presentations given in the more subtle ways that do not affect space, and for securing conference room of the Shibani School the unique character of the place, clean water supply for by Mr. Fansa, Ms. Reem Qudsi especially insofar as ancient structures the residents while (Architect) and Mr. Thierry Grandin are concerned. avoiding leakage, which (Architect & Restorer). Mr. Fansa spoke would damage the of historic castle restoration carried The second phase of the seminar infrastructure. out in Syria, emphasizing the Open involved Mr. Fansa taking us on a tour Furthermore, there are Space Intervention Technique that was of the souk with its intricate maze of well-designed traffic being implemented in Aleppo, while dark and overcrowded alleys that end plans that will reduce Ms. Qudsi and Mr. Grandin showed us with the grandiose Citadel standing on traffic problems, noise slides of current work in the Citadel of a mound of earth which seemingly was and air pollution and Aleppo based on viewpoints, green once surrounded by a huge moat. This plans for the planting of points, and paths. However, teachers medieval-looking Citadel has several trees in squares and and students alike questioned the guarding towers surrounding its site courtyards, alongside rather alien interventions in a which emphasize the need for security waste collection and traditional environment. Would these in ancient times. If the massive Citadel, cleaning, to improve the interventions overshadow this the moat and the curtain wall were not environment. A promising feature of the program is the inclusion NDU Faculty member Habib Melki of cultural activities such enjoys an old tradition, the shoe-shine boy! as concerts and A setting of splendor for taking a bath, exhibitions that will keep the old hammam! The group on the fortress roof. the locals interested and Plaque at the Agha Khan Trust for Culture, a prestigious organization.

 page 24 |  issue 42 Aleppo FAAD

intimidating enough, the huge gate be back home with our families, we Participants in the reached over a bridge is a testimony to left Aleppo a little wiser and full of Workshop: the amazing work of architects of past hope for a better prospect for the Faculty: Nicholas Gabriel, civilizations. Although the ensemble is Orient. As we share the same Workshop Organizer, not so well preserved as Crac des background, it is to be hoped that as Architecture Dept.; Habib Chevaliers, what remains of this Lebanese architects, future architects Melki, Architecture Dept.; remarkable architecture includes or simply concerned citizens, we should Graziella Daghfal, Design vaults, arched windows and doorways, show the same degree of devotion to Dept.. columns, amphitheater, royal our land and heritage, and endeavor to apartments, guard towers and many preserve and maintain it, for the past is Staff: Diana Sarkis, other features that together overlook the only foundation of the future. Architecture Dept.. the entire city. Finally, we should like to thank Mr. Graduate Students: Later in the evening we all went out Nicolas Gabriel for investing so much Ms. Dina Baroud, Miss Kinda for a farewell dinner at the Touring time in making this workshop a Tabbah, Mr. Chady Bteich. Club, where we enjoyed fine oriental success, also Dr. Jean-Pierre el Asmar, cuisine and oriental dancing, before we Chairman of the Architecture ARP 562 – Urbanism II packed up our belongings and headed Department, and Dr. Assad Eid, then Students: Abdo Barouky, back home the following day. Dean of FAAD,. We thank also the Camilia Chamieh, Chantal University for giving the project the Jurdi, Elissar Doumit, Hanna I have to say that this workshop and green light and for covering most of Bassim, Imad Kfoury, Joseph journey were not only enriching in the the expenses, and last but not least the Azar, Anthony Keyrouz, Rachel cultural sense but also an Aga Khan Trust for Culture Haddad, Roland Darrous, Shadi unforgettable bonding experience Preservation, Mr. Fansa, and Mr. Adli Hanna, William Choukeir. bringing faculty members and students Qudsi, the representative of the Aga together. Although we were eager to Khan in Syria, for the invitation.

The workshop group at the door of the Aleppo fortress. In the courtyard of the offices of the Agha Khan Trust. Mr. Nicolas Gabriel of NDU invited in the premises of the Agha Khan Trust. A fine dinner to round off the visit.

 page 25 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

FAAD New Major: Fashion Design Workshop: Art to Wear or Fashion?

As part of its program of Today, thirteen students are making along with the actual steps and expansion and development, full use of the fashion studios and material used in textile fabrications for the Department of Design, benefiting from the professional industry. FAAD, launched a new BA equipments and facilities, including major, Fashion Design, in Fall computers, sewing machines, steam Further to the methodology, visuals 2007. This was intended to iron and mannequins. and practical hands-on creativity enable graduates to produce involved doing two main projects and traditional as well as A workshop entitled Art to Wear or three exercises in using different innovative and contemporary Fashion? was organized on the FAAD materials. Participation in class design concepts adapted to the premises from February 19th to critiques and a short quiz on terms and national, regional and February 25th, featuring Ms. Guitta definitions helped students to develop international market. Upon Melki, who introduced students of both analytical and verbal skills. graduation, the student will be Fashion and Interior Design to the ready to work for example as fields of fibers, textile design and On February 21st during the workshop, fashion designer, fashion garment forms, with attention to Ms. Melki gave a public lecture in Abou exporter or wholesaler, fashion craftsmanship and the use of fiber as a Khater Auditorium. She reviewed journalist or patternmaker. conceptual medium. During six days clothing concepts as a subject of Miss Melki helped students to explore personal expression and as a way of the history of basketry and felting exploring innovative fabrics, and

Material and technique. Materials and technique.

Ms. Guitta Melki’s lecture.

 page 26 |  issue 42 Fashion Design FAAD

discussed various intellectual and communicate their personal and processes in textiles, aesthetic issues such as the individual expression.” attracting her to change controversy over whether fashion course into the field of should be considered as an industry or Mrs. Choueiri mentioned the foresight “fiberarts”. as a form of Art. of the NDU Administration in supporting the creation of this new While teaching at NDU for The Fashion and Textile Design major major, which has the potential to twelve years, Guitta chaired a offers credits, and involves courses expand vigorously at NDU with the vigorously growing Art required for the formation of help of field trips to become Department (1991-1995) from professional fashion designers. acquainted with the Lebanese market which the Department of According to Mrs. Linda Choueiri, and to attend workshops and lectures Visual Arts was subsequently present Chairperson of the Design prepared by local and international born. The Department, which Department: professionals. then had four faculty members and thirty Design “Fashion Design satisfies all the Ms. Melki’s Background: She is a students, turned into one of student’s needs for completing a textile designer for woven fabrics with 30 faculty members and 300 serious major. It took a year to develop, an experience of more than nine years students within four years. In research and update the curricula. We in the field of home fabrics and has 1999, Guitta left for The offer a professional degree with also been adjunct faculty at the Savannah College of Art and academic standards, which opens the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Design, Georgia, to finish an door to greater creativity based on USA. Her interest in fabrics and fibers MFA in Textile Design, which research and concept in the proper has been a natural outcome of being she started during her contextual setting. Many books and surrounded with the family’s old sabbatical. Since then, she has journals have been ordered to enhance business of sewing, embroidery and been a textile designer for the academic level. related supplies. Wesley Mancini Home Fabrics.

“If you come to see us you will see During the early 80’s, when she was in  | Photos by Noel Nasr strange and queerly dressed students the States to pursue an MA degree in all giggling. Our present thirteen art education, Guitta was exposed to students have strange styles to classes in “shibori” among other

Workshop.

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FAAD-El Hema at Mediamatic, Amsterdam

On the 29th of November, 2007, in the BigVesta Arabic, and The Mix Arabic) to After the nomination of the Friends’ Hall, a lecture entitled El Hema applications (items and products) that exhibition projects as one of was delivered by Mr. Wael Morcos of were going to be sold in the El Hema the best Dutch designs, the El NDU, Mr. Khajack Appelian of NDU, exhibition and to create a culture Hema exhibition won the first Maria Hakim of AUB, and Raya Tueni awareness and exchange between the prize in The Dutch Annual of AUB in coordination with FAAD Arabic and Dutch cultures. Design Award: the Visual Graphic Design part-time instructor Identity Category, and the Mr. Pascal Zoghbi, who was present. Among the products were chocolate second place in the Public The lecturers shared their great letters, chocolate bars, chocolate Choice Award. experience in working with Khatt sprinkles, wine bottles, coffee bags, T- Foundation and Mediamatic, a Dutch shirts, socks, underwear, scarves, The lecture was followed by a typography company. djalabas, condoms and other articles. short discussion about the graphic designers’ experience Graduated from NDU with a BA in The work was an attempt to present in Holland. Pascal Zoghbi, Graphic Design, Pascal Zoghbi, Wael cross-cultural typographic expressions Wael Morcos and Khajak Morcos and Khajag Apelian share a between Arabic and Latin (Dutch) Apelian generously presented passion for all aspects of Graphic typographies. the same lecture at NDU-NLC Design and Visual Communication North Lebanon Campus on 7 with, foremost, a profound interest in The lecture presented the phases of December 2007. The Typography, mostly Arabic, and its work, with the final outcome, the possibility for having similar contemporary development exhibition, performances, award and experiences and projects in media coverage. The lecture the future was raised, in the This group was invited to prepare an highlighted the process of work, belief that such exposure is exhibition in Amsterdam of an Arabic multidisciplinary commitments in essential for developing the version of a typical and famous Dutch accomplishing the work, problematic students’ skills and store, El Hema. The aim of the design conceptualizing preparation for conceptions. exhibition was to put the five new the final exhibition and its realization Arabic type faces on the TTM project and feedbacks of the work as a whole. (Fedra Arabic, Sada, Fresco Arabic, Scarf Products, by Khajak Apelian. The NDU lecture poster.

Chocolate Products, by Wael Marcos

 page 28 |  issue 42 Chinese FH

Chinese, new NDU Courses

The Faculty of Humanities held an Information Session to introduce the new language course Chinese 201 on Tuesday January 15th, 2008. Interested students were invited to meet the professor, learn about the methodology and discuss the benefits of taking an introductory course in Chinese. Universities worldwide are now offering courses in Chinese so as to prepare students who wish to work with companies who do business in China.

The Faculty of Humanities has added two Chinese courses to its language program:

 | Chinese 201- Basic Beginning Chinese, and

 | Chinese 202- Intermediate Chinese

Students at NDU now have the opportunity to choose from seven languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Syriac and Latin.   

Contributed by Dr. C. Kfouri, Dean, Faculty of Humanities

 page 29 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

PR Events

The Fall semester at NDU was Students of Dr. Ajami brought Al Maestro, and Akeed Maestro. Students an eventful one for Public Jazeera’s bureau chief in Lebanon, Mr. of Dr. Ajami, chairperson of the Mass Relations students in the Ghassan Ben Jeddo, an event which Comm. Department, also organized a Department of Mass received wide coverage in both the Blood Donation Day on Campus and Communication and for the electronic and print media in Lebanon. another group visited a nursing home NDU community in general. Dr. Ajami’s introduction of Ben Jeddo for the elderly in the Harissa area. Classes of both Dr. Joe Ajami was transmitted on Radio Free and Mrs. Brit Warming Lebanon. Also invited were TV star and Students of Mrs. Warming invited embarked on a number of NDU alumnus Miss Ward el-Khal, Miss guests including the famous TV projects and invited several Nadine Njeim, the reigning Miss presenter Mr. Nishan Der Haroutian, personalities well-known in Lebanon, Miss Claudia Marchelian, TV who incidentally is studying for their various areas of interest. writer and actress, and Mrs Lilian another degree in Radio and Television Nakhal, producer of such famous at Notre Dame University. shows as Al Arrab (the Godfather),

PR students with Dr. Ajami and Miss Ward el-Khal.

PR students with reigning Miss Lebanon Nadine Njeim.

Mr. Ghassan Ben Jeddo.

 page 30 |  issue 42 Writing Center FH

Phase Two of Writing Center

All these occasions brought audiences of The NDU Writing Center has entered Phase Two of its development. students and others from both within and In phase two, the Writing Center opens five days a week from 8 outside the University. The Department of o’clock in the morning till 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The number Mass Communication also organized a of teachers has been increased to twenty in order to be able to help three- hour conference on Lebanese as many students as possible. Eight computers have been installed Media’s Accountability and Performance, so that students can type and correct their papers in the Writing when the panelists were Mrs. May Center. Also, more workshops on academic research papers, Chidiac, Mr. Yazbek Wehbe, Mr. Georges documentation, APA / MLA format, and CVs will be organized by Abdel Malak, and Mr. Kamal Darouni. professionals. In addition, students can get free hand-outs from the Writing Center or access them on the NDU website. Dr. Ajami and Dr. Fakih moderated the two sessions included on the agenda. A video tape presenting the student’s views on media performance was also presented during the conference

Dr. Ajami, Mr. Yazbeck Wehbe, Ms. May Father Roger Chicri, Mr. Suheil Matar, Dr. Carol Kfouri, Mr. Wissam Chidiac and Dr. Ameen Rihani. Shibani and Dr. Ameen Rihani.

Mr. Nishan Der Haroutian

 page 31 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

Prof. Ray J. Solomonoff

at NDU for CTTACS 2008

First Refereed Conference on Despite all the turmoil and political tension in the country, Computer Science at NDU with the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS) at NDU had its own view of what ought to be done these days. the presence of an outstanding Believing in the words of Dijkstra, a Dutch computer scholar, Prof. Ray J. scientist (1930-2002), that "it is the not the task of a Solomonoff University to offer what society asks for, but to give what society needs", the FNAS had its First Conference on the Current Trends in the Theory and Applications of Computer Science (CTTACS 2008) on February 28-29, 2008. The call for papers of CTTACS sought submissions in all areas of computer science. A total of 37 papers were submitted Professor Solomonoff imparts his unique learning. from 8 countries and the Program Committee selected 24 of these papers for presentation at the conference and inclusion in the conference proceedings. Each submission was evaluated by at least two program committee members.

A very important part of CTTACS 2008 was the participation of the father of Algorithmic Information Theory, the very distinguished American scientist Ray J. Solomonoff, who traveled specifically from the US to deliver a keynote presentation on the first day of CTTACS and give a two-week short course on his theory and its relation to machine learning in the two weeks following the conference. A second prominent keynote speaker was scheduled for the second day of the conference, Professor

 page 32 |  issue 42 Prof. Ray J. Solomonoff CTTACS

Faruk Abi Khzam, from the Who is Ray Solomonoff? unknown in the US and it was not until American University of Beirut, Born 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, this son Kolmogorov in Russia started to refer who gave a keynote on the of Russian immigrants is the founder of to Solomonoff's work that the latter zeros of all the sections of a algorithmic probability theory and became known in the US. In developing given function. universal theory of inductive inference. their ideas, Solomonoff and He invented the concept of Algorithmic Kolmogorov had two different We mention here that the Probability around 1960. He was first objectives in mind: while Solomonoff scholarly activities of to encounter the concept of invented the notion of algorithmic Solomonoff at NDU began on Kolmogorov complexity, and first to probability for the purpose of doing February 26, 2008, when he prove the celebrated invariance prediction, Kolmogorov invented the visited the Shouf Campus. theorem. The notion of the complexity notion of Kolmogorov complexity for During that visit, Solomonoff of a string as the length of the shortest the purpose of better understanding spoke at length about his program that generates it was first randomness, that is to say from an experience as a person and suggested by Solomonoff in 1964, then algorithmic perspective. It is also worth scientist. Later on during that discovered independently by both mentioning that both Solomonoff's and day, he gave a 90-minute Andrei Kolmogorov in 1965 and Kolmogorov's work would not have presentation about his work, Greogry Chaitin in 1966. been possible without the notion of a for which the audience universal Turing machine, which is the consisted of university It is interesting to learn that the work work of Alan Turing (1912-1954), an professors and high school of Solomonoff was for a while English mathematician often teachers from the Shouf area.

Abbot Simaan Abou Abdo presents a memento to Professor Ray Solomonoff. With them are (left to right) Dean Youssef el-Hage, Dr. Ameen Rihani and Dr. Fouad Chedid.

 page 33 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

considered as the father of is expected to develop a theory that approximations of the universal modern computer science. understands the past history of the distribution. Examples here include the phenomenon and, by the same token, minimum description length principle What is algorithmic be able to predict its future outcome. and the minimum message length probability? Now, imagine that someone would principle. To recap, Solomonoff has claim to have the distribution that made significant contributions to the First, let us rethink the process explains any set of observations fields of algorithmic probability theory, of theory formation in science. irrespective of their original true universal theory of inductive inference, In general, scientists record distribution. If this is true, then all and machine learning. If you want to their observations about a observations about all phenomena can learn more about this remarkable given phenomenon and, be explained. This is exactly what scientist, please visit the following web through these observations, Solomonoff's theory is about: a page: attempt to develop a theory universal probability distribution that (hypothesis or probability can be used to replace any other http://www.idsia.ch/~juergen/ray.html. distribution) that explains unknown probability distribution with those observations. a guaranteed expected error that is a  | Fouad B. Chedid, Ph.D. small constant independent of the Professor and Chairman Of course, this task is difficult original distribution. Unfortunately, the Sciences Division as a scientist does not have work of Solomonoff has a major Notre Dame University, access to the entire history of drawback: it is incomputable. Still, the Shouf Campus the phenomenon under theory of Solomonoff has been consideration. Based on just a considered a gold mine of all kinds of finite set of observations, s/he principles that offer applicable

Professor Solomonoff speaking at Shouf Campus.

Professor Ray Solomonoff with students of Shouf Campus.

 | For this special occasion, the introductory speakers were in order FNAS Dean Dr. Youssef el-Hage, V.-P. for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ameen Rihani, the Superior General of the Maronite Mariamite Order Abbot Simaan bou Abdo and Dr. Fouad Chedid.

 page 34 |  issue 42 Success Stories ME

Mechanical Engineering:

NDU Success Stories

By Dr. Michel Hayek, Chairperson, Mechanical Engineering Department.

According to the World directly or indirectly, to some aspects helping to fulfill the program Encyclopedia (OUP, 2005), of mechanical engineering, from the requirements in specific courses related mechanical engineering is a simplest and most tasty cooking to the to their areas of expertise. “field of engineering most sophisticated production of concerned with the design, things such as airplanes, space The Department has experienced a construction, and operation stations, etc.. quite high rate of growth over the past of machinery. Mechanical three years (fig.1). The number of engineers work in many Owing to the relatively high cost, not applicants is increasing year after year branches of industry, all universities can afford offering and the number of accepted students including transportation, degrees in mechanical engineering and has to be limited according to the power generation and tool in Lebanon mechanical engineering is availability of resources. Such a growth manufacture.” For a being taught in only a few top is the direct result of years of sustained mechanical engineer, universities, including of course Notre development with the main objective mechanical engineering is Dame University. The program at NDU of making ME at NDU one of the top much more than that. started with the Faculty of Engineering ME Departments in the country and Mechanical engineering in 1996 and saw its first pool of the region. Currently the requirements encompasses nearly all graduates in 1999. Currently the ME for admission into the Faculty of aspects of modern life. Every Department has around 300 students, Engineering are among the hardest to human activity is related in four full-time faculty members and a meet. Students are required to be some way or another, either pool of part-time faculty members without need of remedial mathematics

Fig.1 Number of students admitted per semester and academic year.

 page 35 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

courses in order to be the time shift, the number of graduates pursuing higher degrees, mainly Master accepted in Mechanical is less than the corresponding number and PhD degrees either locally when Engineering. The number of of admitted students. Such a difference available or abroad. Here too, the students rejected is relatively is inherent to the system itself, in feedback is excellent. high compared to other which a student is advised, and only departments. In other words, advised, to finish during the normal In an effort to build on the reputation the Department is trying to be time of four years. Some students are accumulated over the past years, in highly selective, a process that left behind due to many reasons, the January 2008 the Mechanical may lead, if sustained, to a most important of which is their Engineering Department started to better educational difficulty coping with an intensive make the success stories of ME environment and, as a result, program of study. Such a discrepancy is graduates widely available to the better graduates. Releasing to be used to suggest adjustments community. The main objective is to better graduates onto the concerning admission requirements, show how excellent our graduates are market both local and aiming at minimizing the problems to outside and at a later stage to use such international is generally a key the maximum extent possible. human capital to improve the student marketing strategy for body by attracting better and better educational institutions. So far, around two hundred engineers students. have been awarded the degree of The graduation rate (fig.2) in Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Currently, the Department is trying to the Mechanical Engineering Engineering by NDU (figures as of the update its alumni database and the Department is closely related end of academic year 2006-2007). results accumulated so far reveal many to the acceptance rate with a Most of them are now working in success stories. The presence of three shift of four years, which is companies of various kinds and sizes of our graduates on vacation in the normal time required for a either locally or at an international Lebanon provided an opportunity to student to complete the level. All the feedback the Department invite them during the month of program requirements has been getting so far is very good, January to give lectures about their (including summers). not to say excellent. Our graduates are particular experience. Therefore, the Department is performing very well on the market expecting a net increase the and are able to compete with  | Elie Daou gave a lecture entitled number of graduates in the graduates from other universities with From NDU to the Oil fields: Itinerary of coming few years. It is to be a longer history and a wider an NDU Graduate in Mechanical noticed also that in spite of reputation. A few graduates are Engineering on January 04, 2008 in the

Fig.2 Number of ME graduates per semester and academic year.

 page 36 |  issue 42 Success Stories ME

Auditorium (Museum). Elie graduated earned in 2002. He enrolled next as a conference proceedings in his from NDU in Spring 2003 with a BE in PhD candidate in the same institution area of expertise. Recently, he Mechanical Engineering and an and earned his PhD degree in 2005. was awarded the University of excellent GPA of 3.94. In fact he was After that, Dr. Ch. Bou Mosleh was Tennessee’s Lloyd Crawford the first and, so far, the only accepted at Stanford University (USA) Fellowship for academic year mechanical engineering student to as a post-doctoral scholar to work on 2007-2008 for his become the valedictorian of his advanced research projects for both outstanding performance. promotion. Elie went then to AUB to commercial companies and US public follow a Master of Engineering organizations. The lecture was Many others are performing Management degree, a degree earned attended by both faculty and students very well in both business and in 2005. He moved afterward to the (fig.3), and was organized with the academia, a success on which Gulf region to work in the field of kind collaboration of the Alumni Affairs the Department is planning to petroleum engineering with different Office. build an ever greater companies, the latest of which is one reputation at both local and of the largest petroleum companies  | Tony Saad gave a lecture entitled international levels. As an worldwide. The event was organized Analytical Models in Propulsion Devices example, the Department with the kind collaboration of the on January 15, 2008. Tony graduated managed recently, through Alumni Affairs Office. from NDU in Summer 2003 with a BE individual efforts, to place two in Mechanical Engineering and a very outstanding ME graduates  | Dr. Charbel Bou Mosleh gave a good GPA of 3.65. Tony went then to (Spring 2007) in a reputable lecture entitled From NDU to Stanford: AUB to pursue a Master of Engineering university in the USA with full Itinerary of an NDU Graduate in degree, a degree earned in 2005. He scholarships. One of them Mechanical Engineering on January 10, moved afterward to the United States even received an award for his 2008 in the Auditorium (Museum). Dr. to work for a PhD degree at the outstanding performance Ch. Bou Mosleh graduated from NDU University of Tennessee Space Institute while at NDU. Many ideas are in Fall 2000 with a BE in Mechanical under the supervision of one of the being investigated in order to Engineering and a very good GPA of leaders worldwide in the area of expand the Department and 3.70. He moved then to the Aerospace analytical modeling of flow fields and its range of activities, Engineering Department at Colorado related phenomena. Tony is highly including graduate programs, State University (USA) to pursue a active as a scholar. He is regularly links with industry, etc.. Master of Science degree, which he publishing in top journals and

Fig.3. Dr. Ch. Bou Mosleh, Stanford University, lecturing at NDU.

 page 37 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

Armenian Ambassador Placement Office visits NDU In coordination with Alfa (February 4, 2008) Managed by Fal Dete Telecommunication Notre Dame University invited the Ambassador of Armenia Alfa, the mobile operator, announced senior projects. More than 30 NDU Vahan Terghevondian for a the launch of the Alfa Graduate students (Main & Shouf campuses) in visit during which he met with Program, a leading and first-of-its- MS, CS or MBA preparing their the Vice President for kind training project in Lebanon for graduation thesis attended. The Academic Affairs, Dr. Ameen university students in their final year. placement Officer, Mrs. Christine Rihani, the Director General of The program, effective as of end of Atallah, was enthusiastic about Public Relations, Mr. Souheil January 08, is part of Alfa’s accompanying NDU students. Matar, Professor Hrair commitment to education and Hovivian, and the Assistant to development through its long-term After the presentation, students sat for the Director of Public strategic alliance with universities in an IQ test and a case study, which Relations, Ms. Jocelyne Issa. Lebanon. enabled some of them to join the Graduate Program at Alfa. Several issues were discussed A presentation of the Alfa Graduate during the meeting, such as the Program took place in Alfa Company Names of the chosen candidates were development of relations headquarters, Chevrolet, Beirut, on to be communicated when the between Lebanon and Armenia December 27, 2007. The Head of HR at recruitment process was completed. and the possibility of academic Alfa, Mrs. Pauline Sawaya Nawar, an exchanges between the NDU alumnus, gave her presentation in For further information, please University and the Universities front of NDU, LAU and LU senior contact the Placement Officer, of Armenia, covering professors, students. Mrs. Christine Rayess Atallah, students, academic programs NDU, Tel: 09 218 950 ext and scientific research, in The Program targets students in 2326, email: [email protected] addition to cooperation Computer & Communications agreements between the two Engineering, Computer Science or sides. Moreover, they discussed Business Management preparing their the possibility of strengthening relations and cooperation between the Armenian Embassy and the University through a joint activity program that would provide for the establishment of a series of cultural and social events during the academic year.

Mrs. Nawar’s smile helps After the meeting the learning go down. Ambassador was taken on a Mrs. Sawaya Nawar tour around the Campus with her class. Faculties, Library, Laboratories, Computer Center, etc, and then lunch was served in his honor at the University Serious students in comfortable working restaurant. conditions.

 page 38 |  issue 42 20 Years NDU

Notre Dame University has hosted a variety of events to celebrate its rich twenty-year history as an academic institution in the region.

Bridging Twenty Years Faculty Members Honored

Bridging the Centuries at NDU honored 36 faculty and staff members who have Mrs. Janet Gauro-Bassil; served NDU since 1987. Held on November 27th, 2007 at 12:15 in Issam Fares Mr. Antoine Khalil; Hall, the event gave University officials the opportunity to formally recognize the Mr. Vatche Donerian; efforts and commitment of those members of the NDU community who have seen Dr. Elham S. Hasham; the growth of the University from a satellite of Louaize High School to a modern Dr. Assaad Eid; Mr. Hrair campus. Hovivian; Dr. Mansour Eid; Dr. Roy J. Khoueiri; Dr. Carol- Mrs. Mary Khoury, lecturer in the DETE, and Mr. Georges Nader, Sports Office, Ann Goff-Kfouri; Dr. Naji B. both gave reflections on their twenty years at the service of the University. Oueijan; Mrs. Mary Martinos- Khoury; Mr. Souhail Matar; The Studio personnel presented a lively documentary and slide show accompanied Mrs. Amal S.-Hajje; by music from the ‘eighties. Mr. Souheil Matar read an original poem. Father Mr. Georges Labib Faysal; Walid Moussa, President, distributed the plaques in the presence of the Dr. Sami Samra; Mr. Fawzi Organizing Committee members, Father Roger Chikri, Dr. Carol Kfouri, Dr. Mansour Baroud; Dr. Boulos Abdulla Eid, and Mrs. Lea Eid. Dr. Akram Khoury, the newest member of NDU’s faculty, was Sarru’; Mr. Robert E. Haddad; moderator at the ceremony. Mr. Habib Henry Melki; Mr. John Kortbawi; Dr. Michel Fr. Roger Chikri said that the purpose of the event was to recognize the years of Kraidy. generous service, for which those being honored could not be sufficiently rewarded but their contribution had to be acknowledged. Their faithfulness and Staff members loyalty had won for themselves and for NDU a high reputation and deep respect. Honored He told the staff that the future would recall the good, faithful and loyal members who had shown self-sacrifice through their diligent work and genuine Mr. Charbel Hajje; Mr. George love for NDU. Tawil; Mrs. Wadia Mghayar; Mr. Georges Nader; Mrs. Dolly Fr. Chikri was followed by NDU President Walid Moussa, who thanked those being K.-Awad; Mrs. Rose Mady; honored for being founders of NDU and for giving their mental and professional Mr. Hanna Karaan; Mrs. Lea energy to help develop the University. He added that the ceremony was an Eid; Mr. Semaan Sfeir; Miss expression of gratitude and emphasized the University’s love and appreciation. Claire Habballah; Miss Mirna Nehme; Mrs. Viviane T.-Abi A cocktail reception followed. Nader; Miss Andrée Kahy; Mr. Marwan Arafat; Mrs. Karuna Gunasakara.

 page 39 |  issue 42  | SAO Activities

Communio

After all the difficulties caused by recent our time, except that it was no longer the time events, the Communio circle resumed its of the Passion ending with death, as shown in A activities on 6th December, 2007, thanks the gospels of Luke and John and the Acts. to the hospitality of Dr. Doumit Salameh, Eternity is present in time. This period is a bond NDU, who opened his residence for the occasion. between Christ’s earthly life and the time of his Special interest came from the participation of Church and serves for the whole of history. Mr. Najeeb Awad, much-travelled Presbyterian Then we pass to the sacramental level, the time theologian now at the Near East School of when Christ, living in the eternity of the Father, Theology, who was able to compare Catholic- is present in the Eucharist and the sacraments, Orthodox teaching about the Holy Spirit with accompanying “his own” throughout time. Then that of his own tradition. Also taking part were we go to the third level, which perfects the work Dr. Edward Alam NDU, chairman and presenter, of the forty days by placing the Church and the and other members of NDU faculty and staff. individual under the abiding norm of the life of the Lord; the Christian not only meets Christ in The text taken was the section The Role of the the sacraments but lives by his commandment Holy Spirit in chapter three of Christ the Norm of and his law of love. Here the Holy Spirit brings History by Hans Urs von Balthasar, eminent the life of Christ and the believer into accord, theologian and with the present Pope one of the and expounds the Word of God to the Church. inspirers of the Communio movement. The point Our personal intimacy with Christ thus endures is that it is not enough to say that the Son lived to the end. at a certain time and place, fulfilling the will of this father, just one among many others; one After the exposition of Dr. Alam, this was the must ask how he is to be the immediate and subject of discussion, with keen interest on the inward norm of every Christian life. This part of the participants representing the Reform universalising is in a special way an action of tradition. the Holy Spirit, who will “guide you into all truth…he will utter the message that has been Communio meetings are open to all, to given to him…” (John 16: 13-14). He exposes Christians and to others who consider that their the full depth of what has already been relationship with God should be placed at the completed, giving it total relevance to every centre of their lives. All who are interested, moment of history. whether faculty members or students at NDU or elsewhere, or simply members of the public The text deals with three phases of the action of wishing to raise their faith to a more intellectual the Holy Spirit. The first concerns the forty days level, should contact Dr. Edward Alam of the after the Resurrection when Christ presented Faculty of Humanities at NDU, himself as still being in the material world in  | [email protected]

 page 40 |  issue 42 Dr. christine Sabieh, President LPA

Dr. Christine Sabieh: Elected President of Lebanese Psychological Association

Dr. Christine Sabieh, Associate were reviewed and pertinent issues Professor at NDU, was elected related to the well-being of LPA's President of the Lebanese Psychology existence vis-à-vis the current Association on Saturday, December 8th, situation in Lebanon were discussed as 2007 after the LPA General Assembly. points of order for the new LPA board The purpose of the meeting was to consider. Throughout the assembly, twofold: (1) to have a general the floor was open for input and assembly to sum up the years, discussion. This was then followed by especially year 2007 and (2) to elect a having the nine candidates running for new LPA executive board the LPA Board introduce themselves. The new LPA Board members are the During the Assembly, the past years of following: the LPA since its founding in 2004

President: Christine Sabieh (affiliation: NDU) Vice President: Atika Jari (affiliation: UL) Secretary: Noel Roukoz (private practice) Accountant: Marie Khoury (affiliation: UL & NDU – SAO counseling service) Treasurer: Hanine Hout (affiliation: HU) Public Relations Officer: Jean Daoud (affiliation: NES, Saida) Publications Officer: Samar Zebian (affiliation: LAU) Membership Officer: Tima Al Jamil (affiliation: AUB) Student Officer: Carla Sarkis (affiliation: USJ)

The goals of the Lebanese 1. to highlight the importance of the role LPA welcomes all psychologists holding Psychological Association of psychology in serving Lebanese society. an M.A. degree (or above) in any are as follows: 2. to establish a network of professionals specialty of psychology. Graduate in psychology for the purpose of students in psychology can also join as exchanging expertise and promoting non-voting members. Anyone psychological research, and interested in knowing more about LPA 3. to work closely with local, regional, should please contact Dr. Christine and international psychological Sabieh (ext. 2409 or [email protected]) associations and organizations. or Dr. Marie Khoury (SAO ext. 2419)

 page 41 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

Kun Hadi Assocation at NDU

Awareness campaign for the use of seat belts On January 14, 2008, the Accounting Club at NDU invited Kun Hadi, an association for youth awareness about road safety, to held an awareness campaign to stress the importance of the use of the seat belt.

The SAO Director Fr. Bechara Khoury and a large number of students gathered in the court to see the demonstration of the risks of not using the seat belt when a sudden stop occurs, using the “seatbelt convincer” laboratory car.

The President of Kun Hadi, Mr. Fadi Gebran, clarified that the lab car was brought by the Association to convince young people of the neeed to wear the seat belt, which is considered a main factor to prevent or reduce the risk of injury or even death when accidents take place. Mr. Gebran also pointed out that the campaign, Mr. Fadi Gebran addressing which started at NDU, was to continue in all the other Lebanese universities. the crowd. In addition to the car demonstration, the campaign consists of giving lectures, distributing flyers and posters at the universities and nightclubs, and using the road ads which focus on the necessity of using seat belts.

NDU students also signed a petition that will be presented to the United Nations with at least 10452 signatures to work on road safety.

Father Bechara Khoury safe in the seat belt!

The crowd of students following the demonstration for seat belts.

The “seat-belt convincer”.

 page 42 |  issue 42 Sports Office News NDU Sports Office News

NDU Sports Official Honoured

The Lebanese Federation of University the Cedar awarded him by His Sports gave a dinner to celebrate the Excellency President Emil Lahoud. sixtieth anniversary of its foundation, at the same time honouring its The President of the Federation, Judge Secretary General Mr. George Nader, Nasri Lahoud, spoke at the dinner of Taekwando University who received from the hands of NDU the efforts of Secretary General Championships President Father Walid Moussa the Georges Nader over the last thirty The Lebanese Universities’ decoration of Officer of the Order of years in the service of university sport. Taekwando championships were held on NDU Main NDU Tournament Results Campus, Louaize, with the participation of 32 men players and 19 ladies from The following are the results of the Chess USJ, LU, AUST, ME, and NDU, Christmas Tournament organised by  | By teams: 1) American University under the ægis of the Sports the NDU Sports Office with the of Science and Technology 13 points Office of the host university. participation of various Lebanese 2) USJ 11.30 points 3) NDU 7 points 4) The results were as follows: - universities and held on its Zouk Haigazian 6 points, and 5) Arab Mosbeh Main Campus. University of Beirut 4 points. Men  | Yellow belt: Volleyball The distribution of prizes organised by  | under 54 kilos  | Men: In the first group NDU came the NDU Sports Office took place in 1. Paul Khoury USJ out first and in the second group St. the presence of the President of the  | under 72 kilos Joseph’s (USJ), after the Lebanese- Lebanese Federation of University 1. Ala’ Bou Ghanem NDU American University (LAU), Jbeil Sports Judge Nasri Lahoud and of Shouf Campus, withdrew following the Father Beshara el-Khoury, Director of 2. Saeed Abi Saad LU decease of its player Nazzar Faraj. The the NDU Student Affairs Office. For his  | under 78 kilos NDU Sports Office presented part, Judge Lahoud pointed to the 1. Simon Touma LU condolences to the family of Nazzar support given the Federation by NDU 2. Rabih Ghanem NDU Shouf and to his University. RIP. In the final, technically, administratively and 3. Tony Boutros LU NDU beat USJ 2-nil. financially. Then Father Beshara  | over 84 kilos thanked Judge Lahoud and the 1. Makram Saady NDU Shouf Basketball Federation for their activity in favour 2. Jad Mazher LU  | Men, second level: The American of university sports and thanked also University of Beirut (AUB) won in the the universities whose participation Mr. George Nader with Father first group and NDU in the second. In had contributed to the success Walid Moussa and Judge Nasri Lahoud. the final AUB beat NDU 82-80. of the tournament.

Table Tennis The tournament was  | Men: 1) Rashid el-Boubou, Hawaii supervised by NDU Sports 2) Elie Daou, LU 3) Rock Hakim, NDU, Director George Nader with and Anthony Zaarour, Kaslik. the help of Elias Boutros and devoted instructors.  | Ladies: 1) Rabit Bassibes, USJ 2) Tala Hawaily, USJ 3) Cristal Jalkh, LAU Jbeil, and Christie Jakilian, NDU.

 page 43 |  issue 42  | Academic and Student Activities

 | Blue belt:  | under 84 kilos  | under 59 kilos  | under 62 kilos 1. Alan Daoud NDU 1. Yasmina SadyUSJ 1. Halim Mufarraj NDU Shouf  | over 84 kilos  | under 67 kilos 2. Wael Boutine NDU Shouf 1. Tony Eftim NDU 1. Abir al-Jurdi NDU Shouf  | Red belt: 2. George Khallaf NDU  | over 72 kilos  | under 72 kilos Ladies 1. Lyall Bou Ghanam NDU Shouf 1. Gaby Habib NDU  | Yellow belt: General ranking, men: 2. Samah Bou Tahhan NDU Shouf  | under 51 kilos 1. NDU 2. USJ 3. AUST  | under 78 kilos 1. Ahlam Awad LU General ranking, ladies: 1. Jawwad Qansou NDU Shouf  | under 59 kilos 1. USJ 2. LU 3. NDU 2. Maher Hasbani AUST 1. Amanda Daher LU Supervision of the championships:  | under 84 kilos  | under 63 kilos principal referee Joseph Khoury, 1. Elie Bashaalani NDU 1. Nadine Eid ME International Referee, and 2. Wissam Berjawi AUST  | under 67 kilos Federation referees Mirwan al- 3. Hadi Ghanem LU 1. Nadine Tarabay LU Shamy, Carla Beaini, Fady Khalil and  | Black belt:  | Black belt: Antonio Khalil.  | under 54 kilos  | under 47 kilos The championships closed with 1. Marc Arakilos USJ 1. Cynthia Khallaf NDU distribution of cups and medals to  | under 72 kilos  | under 51 kilos the winners by the Secretary 1. Elie Nehme NDU 1. Alice Shaker USJ General of the Lebanese Federation  | under 78 kilos  | under 55 kilos of University Sports George Nader. 1. Marc Mussin USJ 1. Rachel Khatounian USJ 2. Issa Khoury ME

Father Bechara Khoury surrounded by winners.

George Nader with Souhail Tawk from the Lebanese Taekwando Federation presenting the cup for first place overall to NDU champion Alain Daoud. Social

BIRTH OBITUARY Nour Rita Harvey Oueijan Bahjat Camille 2008. The requiem took NDU professor of long standing in Chamoun place the following day in the Our sympathy goes to Church of Our Lady of the NDU, Dr. Naji Oueijan, has proudly Hill, Deir el-Qamar. informed us of the birth of his Claudine Chamoun, lecturer in Design at Shouf Campus and granddaughter Nour Rita Oueijan, Marlise Chamoun, lecturer in Gebran Michel Nehme daughter of his son Harvey, also lecturer the Faculty of Humanities and Our sympathy goes also to Dr. in NDU, and of Elsy. Dr. Oueijan adds that Jesus FAAD (Design) at the Main Michel Nehme, FPSPAD, and sent Nour Rita as a Christmas present on December and Shouf campuses, as well his relatives. following the 18th, 2007. as their family, on the decease of his father Gebran, occasion of the passing away who passed away in the Stop press: Publications Secretary Lydia of their father Bahjat Camille morning of Tuesday, 5th Zgheib is now mother of Jenny Chidiac. Chamoun, who went to the February, 2008. The requiem Lord on Sunday, 13th January, took place the next day.

 page 44 |  issue 42  | Opinion and Culture

Life at NDU

Yasmine Haddad

When I finished my secondary school, I said to to me normal people, but myself “Well this is a big move, girl, and it’s honestly mentally immature. different from school and everyone is more mature.” I also reminded myself that no one was going to What’s the difference laugh and make fun of me, for I was going to be between us? treated as a normal person. HEIGHT! I was brought up to Luckily, the first day at the NDU was as I expected. respect others no matter how Nobody noticed me since I wasn’t in the mood to they looked or acted. Unlike socialize. I was happy I didn’t hear or see weird them! I am different and I faces HA…HA...HA! A few days later, when am proud of who I am. everything was under control, I was walking with a friend by the cafeteria. Suddenly, I heard someone My ID number is 20071019 whispering “LOOK AT THAT!”, and they looked at me and started laughing. I looked and they seemed

 page 45 |  issue 42  | Opinion and Culture

Crime Corner Murder of the English Language! – Ed.

One of the fruits of modern so as to be able to write, if not OR: I want the following: cheese, progress in education is that always to speak, clear, grammatical, butter, rolls and coffee. supposedly educated people lucid, logical, unambiguous and cannot speak their own reasonably elegant English that Pay attention to unrelated participles, language properly any more. anybody in any part of the world can particularly in expressions such as Here are examples from the understand and enjoy. bearing in mind. BBC and elsewhere. N.B. It is a common mistake to  | Wrong: Bearing in mind her The level of security has been confuse few with a few, little with a nervousness, the patient was increased: How can a level, little. Few and little mean not prescribed a sedative. which horizontally is infinite enough. E.G.: –  | Correct: Bearing in mind her in all directions, and extends nervousness, the physician prescribed neither upwards nor He had few friends, so he was very her a sedative. downwards, be increased? It lonely. He had little money and N.B. Nervous means frightened. For can only be raised or could not afford good food. highly-strung you may use nervy. lowered, or perhaps improved. He had a few friends and so he often “I only saw Peter.” Literally this means spent the evening with them. that the speaker saw Peter but did not “Do you think that…?” Although not actually rich, he had a speak to him or do anything else. “Absolutely!” How can one little money, which he spent on More correct would be “I saw only think absolutely? The travelling around the country. Peter.” Here it is clear that the answer should be speaker had contact with Peter but “Certainly!”. “I certainly In case does not mean if. It indicates with nobody else. The first is think…” fear of a possibility, e.g.: I don’t think acceptable in conversation but in more it will rain, but I am taking my complicated sentences the misplaced Sometimes we hear, “Because umbrella just in case it rains. only might lead to ambiguity. of bomb incidents, there has been an increase of security.” It is wrong to say, “Call me in case In formal writing, like and such as Increase? Surely a decrease! you need me!” (…if you need me!) should be distinguished. The former Presumably what is meant is means resembling and the latter security measures! Colons and semicolons (: ;) can come means for example. – Ed. only after a grammatically complete It is often said in excuse, sentence. WARNING! If you are a man, do not “Well, that is the way the say “My dear!” to another man – language is spoken, so we  | Wrong: I want: some cheese, unless of course you are both “gays”. teach descriptive, not butter, rolls and coffee. He may have doubts about your normative, English.” But  | Correct: I want some cheese, intentions. The expression translates children receive an education butter, rolls and coffee. Mon cheri, not Mon cher.

 page 46 |  issue 42 Algernon Swinburne K.J. Mortimer

Algernon Swinburne (1837-1909) K.J. Mortimer

Putney High Street is a steep climb from The latter part of the nineteenth century implication. He also sought in Putney Bridge over the river Thames to was the age of the Aesthetic Movement, a romanticised view of the crossroads with Upper Richmond which was launched in Paris but thanks Antiquity an excuse for sexual Road. Under the name of Putney Hill, to painters and poets who had enjoyed freedom. The word “vice” had the artery continues its climb to Putney the brilliant conversation of the cafés a strong fascination for him: Heath and a pub called the Green Man, a there, such as Whistler, George Moore Could you hurt me, sweet lips, common name for those public houses and Oscar Wilde, soon spread to London. though I hurt you? where in the past a herbal doctor would In brief, starting with the Impressionists Men touch them and change in sell his wares. Beyond the business and culminating in modern abstract art, a trice offices on the crossroad, the first house, this meant that in painting what dark, tall and stately, is of the kind built mattered was not the subject portrayed The lilies and languors of virtue by wealthy Victorians, standing detached but the purely formal elements, mainly on its own plot of land. In front is a line and colour, In literature it meant semi-circular drive for horses and that a book could not be moral or carriage. The building has a basement immoral but only good or bad according where the cooks and servants used to to its literary qualities. Here lay the toil. In the ground floor were certainly conflict between the aesthetes, and the the dining- and reception-rooms, on the “Philistines”, the solid middle-class who first above more private ones, and above wanted a picture to tell a story and a that again the bedrooms. The mansard book or poem to teach worthy principles. roof contained no doubt the servants’ This was a class that the aesthetes, bedrooms, where a mouse would get surrounded by a fauna of adoring but round-shouldered. not over-intelligent society ladies, In the nineteen-thirties when we walked enjoyed provoking. past, my grandfather would point out the But the aesthetes often over-reached house as the one where the poet themselves. British Victorian society was Swinburne had lived. Like so many not light-heartedly tolerant of loose Victorians influenced by popularisation living and depravity among its geniuses of the Aesthetic Movement, he held all as was French society. It was not a historical personages and poets, writers congenial home for a Baudelaire with his and painters in solemn awe, only Fleurs du mal or a perverted genius such sometimes mixed with frowning as Rimbaud. Oscar Wilde was to find disapproval of their more dubious this out to his cost when sent to prison inclinations. In fact the aura of respect after two trials at which all his wit and did not imply any real understanding. posing as a connoisseur served him little. But in any case I suppose my dear, Swinburne was a young man carried innocent grandparent knew Swinburne away by the excitement of words, which only through what the poet wrote in his he poured out in a torrent with little later years of respectability. attention to their real meaning or

 page 47 |  issue 42  | Opinion and Culture

For the roses and raptures of is often misunderstood; in fact in many possible, simply suggesting that it might vice. ways Victorians were far less prudish be in his interest not to resume his Likewise the word “sin”. He than their modern descendants. But if studies. In a century of great essayists spoke of “strange great sins” one painted a nude man and woman and and critics his studies of Shakespeare and that were “seventy times seven”. called the work Mr. and Mrs. Brown in Charlotte Brontë were outstanding. Here their Garden in Twickenham, one might is an example of his prose, taken from an This one thing once worth go to prison even although the two essay on Leonardo da Vinci: giving characters were supposed to be decently Of Leonardo the samples are choice and Life gave, and seemed worth married; however, if one called it Ares few: full of that undefinable grace and living; and Aphrodite in a Garden in the grave mystery which belongs to his Sin, sweet beyond forgiving Hesperides, one might have it exposed in slightest and wildest work. Fair strange And brief beyond regret… the Royal Academy to be admired by the faces of women full of dim doubt and families of the general public. Certain faint scorn, touched by the shadows of Ah, one thing worth beginning, sheltered ladies of the new upper-middle an obscure fate, eager and weary it One thread in life worth class, desperately determined to be seems at once, pale and fervent with spinning, respectable, certainly suffered from a patience and passion allure and perplex Ah sweet, one sin worth mixture of the Calvinist tradition, which the thoughts and eyes of men. sinning… considered that God’s creation had At a time when writing in newspapers, To say of shame—what is it? become totally evil with Adam’s sin, and magazines and newspapers has become Or virtue—we can miss it, the romantic view of classical Greece that so pedestrian, when reading has become started with Goëthe. Of sin—we can but kiss it, a matter only of information and not of It should be remembered that the young enjoyment, of delectation, one can only And it’s no longer sin. Algernon Swinburne had had dreams of regret the belles lettres of a past age. (Before Dawn) becoming a dashing cavalry officer, but Sadly, Swinburne did not maintain his One may well wonder what had been rejected because of his puny verbal magic to the end. Intoxication possible crime a sin “seventy physique. So from the time he was at both literal and intellectual undermined times seven” could possibly be. Oxford he had a grudge against the his frail health and in 1879 his family Four hundred and ninety times society, conventions and religion of the handed him over to the tender care of any of the acts of murder, Industrial Age. He could be so carried Theodore-Watts Dunton, lawyer, literary torture and cruelty that go on away when reciting verse that once he critic and owner of the residence on in the world? But really it was fell in a fit. His exciting rhythms and Putney Hill. The poet was weaned off just the words and the alliteration, the latter a return to the old brandy and led through port, Burgundy, mysterious lure of evil they Anglo-Saxon poetry, gave magic to claret and vin du pays to homely British implied that turned the head of words when serious meaning was lacking, beer. Walks on Putney Heath restored Swinburne. He himself never and the student youth of Oxford would freshness to his countenance and health seems to have gone beyond a march arm-in-arm reciting his daring to his body. Harmless occupations were certain naughtiness, for lines: found for him that would not awake his example running about the Wilt thou yet take all, Galilean? But old feverish excitement. Theodore Watts house naked with his friend these thou shalt not take, admired his genius but felt that it should Simeon Solomon. When The laurel, the palms and the paean, the be directed to morally uplifting ends. Simeon Solomon went further breasts of the nymphs in the brake. Swinburne became completely tame. The and ended up in prison, But Swinburne is not to be judged former admirer of France, imbued with Swinburne was seriously merely by his eccentricity. Two plays French culture, could now write patriotic alarmed and described him as published in 1860, Queen Mother and verse that any smug Victorian could “a thing unmentionable alike by Rosamund, earned praise from the lordly approve but is, alas! best forgotten. In men and women as equally John Ruskin and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, these days when “the noble, the nude, abhorrent to either”. Again one patron of a distinguished circle of artists and Antique” are unlikely to make may wonder why he should and after the success (or notoriety!) in atheists of us, for Swinburne’s earlier suggest that love for a woman 1865 of Atalanta in Calydon more fame magic we can be grateful to him. was evil, in a time when came in 1866 with Chastelard and Poems N.B. For the artistic atmosphere of marriage was an ideal and and Ballads. It is true that his reputation Victorian times, we warmly recommend people married quite young to led to him being “sent down” from The Aesthetic Adventure, by William raise large and boisterous Oxford, but Dr. Benjamin Jowett, Master Gaunt, Jonathan Cape and Pelican families. Victorian prudishness of Balliol, who remained his friend and Books, from which we have drawn admirer, did this in the most delicate way information.

 page 48 |  issue 42 NDU Mary Khoury

The following is the text of a speech delivered by Mrs. Mary Martinos Khoury on Tuesday, November27th, 2007 at Bridging the Centuries at NDU to honor the faculty and staff who had served NDU for twenty years and more.

Mary Khoury receives recognition The Development of NDU throughout the Years for long service from the NDU President, Father Walid Moussa.

Having taught at NDU since fall 1978, I later, Abbot Antoine Sfeir invited us to 5095, including two younger take pride in being one of its pioneers. a luncheon party at La Grillade sister campuses, the North By having a brief look at NDU’s history, Restaurant to celebrate the occasion. and the Shouf. The total I see that NDU has passed through four The number of students enrolled in number of students now different stages. that year was 155. enrolled in the main campus in the Department of English, The first stage was the embryo stage The third stage was the childhood Translation and Education which started when the university was stage, which began in fall 1998 when courses is 2125, and there are founded in 1978 at Notre Dame NDU was already eleven years old and nineteen full-time and forty- Louaize School. It was known at that all the Faculties had moved to this new three part-time instructors. time as L.C.H.E. There was a marriage campus. The inauguration ceremony between two educational institutions, took place at the beginning of that Fall In conclusion, I believe that namely Beirut University College and Semester. All the NDU family, faculty, the development of NDU the Maronite Order of the Blessed staff, administrators and students, throughout the years in Virgin Mary, which started the mission were happy to move to this new numbers and buildings is due with only seventy-eight students who location not because of the new not only to our efforts and mostly came from French schools. All buildings but because everyone had perseverance, but above all those students took Intensive English been squeezed together in a very tight due to the blessing of our courses that semester. There were only and condensed area in the old campus. Blessed Mother the Virgin three part-time English instructors There wasn’t enough space to park our Mary, who has always been hired and I was one of them. Three cars, nor were there enough classrooms present in our acts and classrooms were given to us in addition to accommodate the rising number of achievements. to one more classroom which was a students. At that time the number of very modest language laboratory. students enrolled was 2773.

Mary Khoury on the podium. In 1980, LCHE had a new location and I can say that the dream of such a new campus which functioned till a huge campus came true 1998. It is the one known now as the because Bishop Beshara Rai, the Division for Continuing Education founder of LCHE, had a fixed aim (DCE). from the very start, which was to build a big campus in this valley. The second stage was the baby stage, which witnessed the birth of NDU on The fourth and final stage is the August the 14th, 1987. The official young adult stage. In August license was signed that day, which 2007, NDU completed its 20th happened to be the eve of the feast or anniversary. The total number of Our Lady’s Assumption. A few days students enrolled now at NDU is

 page 49 |  issue 42  | Opinion and Culture

Balanced Diet

Elsa Abi Nader

Food, food, food! is what forties is a different prospect to dying It is easy to talk, but starting the diet Lebanese people think about in one’s seventies or eighties. So while is the hard part. One should first make all the time. Restaurants and one should certainly be happy and a list of the “do’s” and “don’t’s” so as snack-bars are the only places enjoy oneself, at the same time one to have a clear picture of one’s goal. working full-time nowadays, should take care of oneself. Following This will simplify the task and ensure and this because all people a healthy diet will bring many benefits, sustained motivation. However, the want to do is to eat. It such as weight loss, more energy, diet that is not accompanied by doesn’t matter what mood reduced risk of cancer and other sustained physical activity will not give they are in, happy, upset or diseases, lower cholesterol, and general the desired results. For instance, just bored, their mind is on health all round. But it should be eating protein without physical activity food. But what they are not remembered that not the same diet is will only lead to loss of muscle, while aware of is that what matters good for everybody. Some people may the skin will become flabby. Twenty is the quality of the food they be much overweight or suffer from minutes of exercise a day will lead to a eat. Eating healthy food is diabetes; every individual needs a substantial reduction of risk of cardiac the key to long life. Good differently-planned diet. failure but will not be enough to health comes from following a reduce weight. balanced diet. This consists of Consistently following a healthy adequate amounts of food and balanced diet is not all that easy. In conclusion, no one can obtain good drink to supply energy and Many factors have to be considered to results without having the will to make nutrition for growth and obtain the desired results. Basically an effort and working hard. This will development, together with one should eat healthy food be difficult at first, but once one’s body plenty of physical activity. sufficiently rich in proteins, vitamins, gets accustomed to regulating itself minerals, lipids and fiber. Moreover, and one becomes accustomed to Most men believe that one should eat moderately and in regulating one’s body, following the bothering about diet is a specific amounts. Thus one should diet will become easier and simpler waste of time. They think neither under-eat nor over-eat. As with time. So one should not put off that one lives only once and they say, “An apple a day keeps the taking action but rather start working so should do whatever makes doctor away,” and in fact fruit and on one’s diet and engaging in physical one happy, without regard for vegetables are really good for ensuring activity without any delay. long-term consequences. But health and preventing diseases, while this is totally wrong. Dying at the same time fats should be when in one’s thirties or reduced.

 page 50 |  issue 42 Ecrire ou se balader... Abdo Kahi

Ecrire ou se balader sur le chemin du dire*

Abdo Kahy

I- Ecrire c’est quoi ? contre la structure du sens. Pour Noam Chomsky, «la C’est se laisser emporter par l’épreuve linguistique structurale ne du sens sur les cordes musicales du Cette marge débouche ainsi avec parvient, ni à expliquer la cœur et les logiques rationnelles de la Chomsky sur la recherche du sens au grammaire des langues, ni à pensée, en aiguisant sa sensibilité à travers des structures syntaxiques qui les comparer entre elles2.» Il l’esthétique de la joie et de la le produisent mais qui ne l’empêchent en est ainsi parce que «cette souffrance, du bonheur et de la pas de s’inventer et de se réinventer linguistique ne voit pas que la tristesse selon les différentes intentions du dire. langue est une machine à générer des phrases et que Il me semble de prime abord que la En effet, Ferdinand de Saussure c’est à ce niveau-là seulement question qui se pose à partir de «concevait la langue comme un que se pose le problème de la l’écriture, est celle qui porte sur la système d’éléments interdépendants. construction du sens et non marge que la parole a à traverser dans Les signes de la langue prennent ainsi pas en deçà», c’est-à-dire dans ses tentatives d’agrémenter le langage sens les uns par rapport aux autres les relations arbitraires entre par des modulations linguistiques selon des règles qui sont à la fois signifiants et signifiés. susceptibles de traduire l’intention du d’opposition et de distinction1. » dire dans son originalité. «La production du sens serait Tout signe est composé selon lui de ainsi inséparable de la Cette marge nous renvoie à l’espace deux facettes : «le signifiant» et «le syntaxe. Il s’agit donc de spatio-temporel qui distingue sans les signifié». Le signifiant correspond à comprendre comment, à partir dissocier la pensée de Ferdinand de l’image acoustique, c’est-à-dire au son de propositions bien formées, Saussure, le père incontestable de la produit pour énoncer un mot. Le on peut générer des phrases linguistique moderne basée sur une signifié renvoie au concept, au contenu correctes dans une langue, et approche structurale faisant considérer sémantique attribué au signe. Pour lui, c’est là où réside la première la langue comme un système organisé les relations entre signifiant et signifié fonction de l’écriture». et doué d’une fonction sociale, et structurant ensemble le sens, sont Noam Chomsky, le chercheur révolté purement arbitraires. Ceci nous ramène à dire qu’à partir d’un petit nombre de structures syntaxiques * Texte adapté à partir de mes deux livres : La parole promesse du dire, Ed. Dar AN-NAHAR, 2004, et universelles, le langage peut Le silence gestuelle de la vie, Ed. Dar AN-NAHAR, 2006. produire une infinité 1 De Saussure, Ferdinand (1857-1913) cours de linguistique générale, voir revue Sciences Humaines, d’énoncés, traduisant les hors série, numéro 30, Septembre 2000 page 12. nuances de sens recherchées. 2 Chomsky, Noam, Theory of syntax, 1965, voir revue Sciences Humaines, idem, pp. 74 et 75.

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Ceci nous amène aussi à agent (acteur) a agit (verbe) sur un Par l’écriture l’homme apprend aussi à entrevoir une nouvelle objet, chose ou sujet (récepteur) ». ne délimiter le verbe, dans un champ approche de la recherche du propre de sens, que pour ce qui sens se basant, d’une part sur Chomsky illustre à cet effet sa pensée concerne la structure externe venant les structures syntaxiques par ces deux phrases : «Le chat a des compositions syntaxiques propres à définies, et d’autre part sur attrapé la souris» et «la souris a été chaque langue. l’infinité de ses énoncés attrapée par le chat». Pour lui, si le possibles, eu égard à la même sens est conservé par ces deux Par l’écriture l’homme apprend surtout multiplicité des visions qu’on structures syntaxiques, c’est parce que à voir la vraie dynamique du verbe, qui, en a. le chat (acteur) a agi (verbe) sur la tout en exprimant «l’agir» à travers une souris (récepteur). composition syntaxique définie, selon Cependant, si le langage l’humeur, l’intention et la convenance comme faculté propre à La formation de sens est donc une de l’acteur en question, arrive à l’homme, l’habilitant à question de syntaxe reliant dans des dépasser toutes les humeurs, intentions exprimer sa pensée et à la formes différentes l’acteur au verbe et et convenances pour rester force de communiquer aux autres, doit au récepteur. production de sens à l’infini. nécessairement passer par une langue spécifique pour se L’homme s’engageant dans une parole Il en serait ainsi parce que le verbe, qui produire sous une forme se trouve ainsi, surtout quand il a à est inhérent à la condition humaine et parlée ou écrite, la parole transmettre sa pensée par écrit, en face qui interpelle ensemble l’acteur et le humaine n’aura de sens que si de trois constellations différentes : la récepteur, dépasse comme capacité elle se soumet à un ordre constellation (acteur), la constellation infinie de création la condition profond gouvernant les (verbe), la constellation (récepteur). humaine et toute chose susceptible structures syntaxiques de d’être acteur ou récepteur. chaque langue utilisée, surtout Ces constellations nous ouvrent sur quand elle est écrite. trois champs de recherche se dessinant Par l’écriture, l’homme découvre, enfin, en parallèle à l’infini: qu’il se trouve en fait devant un ordre La parole écrite, comme le champ des agents (acteurs), langagier obligatoire, quelle que soit la faculté langagière qui devrait le champ des actions (verbe), langue qu’il utilise. Il découvre que le ressembler à la structure le champ des cibles (récepteurs). lecteur, ou le destinataire de sa parole, inscrite du sens dans la entretient avec lui des rapports pensée humaine, a besoin Par l’écriture, l’homme apprend que les adaptatifs d’écoute et de ainsi d’une certaine forme de acteurs (tout acteur) et les récepteurs compréhension, en vue de saisir le sens «loi fixe» pour transmettre (tout récepteur), sont des états de son dire, sens qui ne peut se l’intention du dire et pour intentionnels du sujet que ce dernier produire dans le monde et s’exprimer produire le sens propre que ce définit en dire propre dépendamment proprement qu’à travers l’adaptation dernier voudrait déchiffrer et des liens qu’il entretient entre sa du verbe à un acteur et à un récepteur communiquer. volonté, son état d’âme et ce qu’il au sein de l’énoncé d’une parole. convient de dire dans un contexte Ceci veut dire, selon Chomsky, donné, là où dans le concret ces Par l’écriture, l’homme constate que la «qu’il existe dans la éléments appartiennent au monde des parole, et surtout la parole écrite, est profondeur de chaque langue faits qui est indépendant de lui. dotée d’un mouvement interne et d’un une proposition qui dit qu’un mouvement externe entre des éléments

 page 52 |  issue 42 Ecrire ou se balader... Abdo Kahi

distincts mais qui remplissent les qui ne cesse de renfermer la parole convenances socioculturelles mêmes fonctions. dans les structures des convenances modelant les usages de ce établies du sens, d’une part, et les sens. La parole est intrinsèquement un verbe structures syntaxiques des langues, en action faisant prévaloir l’existence d’autre part. Le poète se permet ainsi de d’un acteur et d’un récepteur. composer une métaphore qui II- Ecrire, est-ce possible? correspond à ses propres La parole est extrinsèquement un verbe significations pénétrées par en action se produisant à partir d’un Pour m’expliquer sur cette question, je ses propres humeurs et parleur écrivain «énonceur» et vais me référer de nouveau à Noam sentiments qui reflètent son cheminant vers un récepteur lecteur Chomsky. Je vais l’interroger sur la état d’âme du moment. effectif ou potentiel. possibilité d’écrire réellement, ou d’explorer sur un pont, le pont qui relie Pour illustrer son propos, Par l’écriture, l’homme arrive ainsi à le sens à son expression, et devant tout Noam Chomsky donne baliser les sentiers de la parole, ceux de le monde, dans la clarté du jour et en l’exemple de la phrase son intériorité et ceux de son pleine exposition aux courants d’air, la suivante: «Des idées vertes et extériorité, ceux qui lui viennent de la nature des liens qui s’établissent entre incolores dorment structure qui l’édifie comme objet de un compositeur de sens, un écrivain, et furieusement». sens et ceux qui remontent à son la structure de la composition antériorité et qui ne s’effacent pas lors linguistique le concernant. Dans cette phrase, le de son échéance, ceux qui la raccorde compositeur a osé sortir des à la source du sens et ceux qui dictent Noam Chomsky nous informe à ce contraintes structurales du la forme spécifique de son expression. sujet sur le fait que l’écrivain, ou le «signifié», selon Ferdinand de compositeur, est le seul qui soit Saussure. Il n’a pas cependant Par l’écriture l’homme se forme à capable de se soumettre à l’épreuve du échappé à la loi gouvernant libérer la parole à partir de sa foi en le sens, sur le pont le reliant, comme l’ordre reliant le «verbe» à verbe qui la constitue et qui la dépasse, annonceur de sa version de ce sens, à «l’acteur» et au récepteur dans qui le constitue et qui le dépasse, ce la structure linguistique, ou la syntaxe une structure syntaxique. Car verbe qu’il délivre à l’épreuve du sens formalisant cette structure. s’il avait dit : «incolores des et qui reste prêt à recréer ce sens idées furieusement dorment et indéfiniment. Il nous réfère à cet effet à la situation vertes», il aurait complètement du poète qui, pour pouvoir interpeller perdu tout espoir de L’homme se formerait ainsi à se battre le sens de son vécu propre, doit refuser déboucher sur quelque sens contre l’entreprise du pouvoir humain de se laisser dominer par les que ce soit.

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Cette phrase nous enseigne se pliant aux entendements établis et à C’est ainsi, pareillement, que les ainsi sur l’originalité de l’idée l’intention du parleur devenu écrivain, poèmes épiques et les chants d’amour du pont, qui se formalise ou énonceur d’un dire propre, au (l’Iliade d’Homère et le Cantique des nécessairement au niveau de travers de son écriture, reste égal à lui- cantiques de la Bible), à titre l’écriteur où se rencontrent, en même, au-delà de tout entendement d’exemple, ont été conservés dans la toute liberté et en toute ou intention de production de sens. mémoire des gens pendant des souveraineté, le parleur centaines d’années avant d’être (écrivain) et la structure de la De là à se demander si primitivement produits par écrit sur des supports langue qu’il utilise. l’écrivain, et surtout le poète, n’était matériels. pas ce génie de la parole qui réussissait Avec cet image de pont, à lire à haute voix «ce qui est écrit L’écriture devient, de ce fait, ce pont comme tremplin du parleur et dans le ciel», et si le prophète n’était qui relie les inscriptions faites dans les de l’écrivain plus pas ce déchiffreur de signes qui arrivait couloirs de la ligne du sens aux sens et particulièrement, il nous sera à décoder les messages divins inscrits à l’entendement humains. ainsi plus facile de découvrir dans sa mémoire. que le verbe ne sera jamais Elle s’emploie, ainsi, à traduire les épuisé, ni par l’intention du Dans ce sens, le sens précède le signifié inscriptions du sens, en les localisant dire du parleur et surtout de et se trouve inscrit dans le signifiant, dans la mémoire humaine tout au long l’écrivain, ni par la structure tout signifiant qui tend à rejoindre les des civilisations orales, et en les ordonnée à l’exprimer. autres signifiants sur une ligne retracent sur du papier comme support silencieuse qui leur assure leur unité, annexe à cette mémoire dans les Il nous sera pareillement plus leur égalité et leur continuité. civilisations récentes du livre. aisé de constater que les intentions du dire sont libres A partir de là, il devient possible de Partant de ces impressions et des et peuvent varier à l’infini. dire, que c’est l’inscription du sens dans constatations qui en découlent, je des codes spécifiques qui tendent à se tends de plus en plus à croire que Avec l’écriture, nous pouvons regrouper sur une même ligne, qui lui l’écriture est l’instrument du silence de ainsi comprendre pourquoi le assure sa pérennité tout au long de la lettre qui fait passer les inscriptions dire humain, comme l’histoire des temps. du sens de leur état abstrait à construction de sens, a intérêt, l’expérience de l’incarnation dans le pour appartenir à la vie, à ne Mais si l’inscription fixe le sens, elle ne bruit de l’existence. Je tends à croire pas s’enfermer dans ce qui est le fige pas. Elle lui permet, tout au aussi que la poésie, comme chant construit en tant que «propos contraire, de se transmettre au monde rythmé, et la Bible comme récit d’un signifié» inchangeable, et de devenir connaissance se dire oral ne sont en fait qu’une lecture standardisé et fixé avant lui. dispensant en se diversifiant à travers de ce qui a été déjà inscrit dans l’esprit Ce dire se découvrira, de ce l’écriture, qui, en décodant ses du poète et du prophète avant d’être fait, comme un verbe en signalisations dans l’esprit et dans la prononcé par leurs lèvres ou transcrit action pouvant s’authentifier matière, le rend accessible au langage par leurs doigts. indéfiniment en rapport avec humain. la structure syntaxique qui est Sur ce, l’écriture m’apparaît subitement la même dans toutes les C’est ainsi que Dieu, du haut du mont comme lecture et transcription langues établies. Sinaï a transmis à Moïse la table de ses simultanées du verbe, en vue de le lois écrites sur de la pierre après les communiquer au monde et de l’inscrire Par l’écriture, nous pouvons avoir inscrites dans les traditions et les dans le temps. aussi toucher de plus près à mœurs de son peuple. l’activité du verbe, qui tout en

 page 54 |  issue 42 Let’s react to God Fadia El-hage

Let’s React to God

When studying reaction, we find it means the way If one thinks of the immense number of graces beings react to various stimulants. When it comes to which are granted by our Father during one’s spiritual topics, especially prayer, it is reacting towards life, praise be to God! For praise leads us to God. know our Creator better and to turn to him joyfully. This might lead us to our Kneeling, praying, praising and repentance are heavenly Father and His Glory. reactions to our Holy Father. When one thinks of God and his supremacy through Have you ever thought how much God the graces he offers when one is loves us? This should lead us to meditating, one will have a very interact with our Savior. Praying is strong impulse to worship, one way of reacting. Sometimes kneel and fall down in we don’t concentrate when adoration with one’s praying. We need to keep whole person alert to trying to concentrate his goodness. and persevere in praying. We need to When one discovers practice meditation that everything is to reach a state of created by God and is prayer as if a his work, one should mirror were feel the reality God’s sending its light. existence and One might some surrender to it; one day discover should chant and God’s perfection recite the psalms. The but how? Keep holiness of God, leads on praying, us to feel how we meditating ourselves are tiny and without losing the how great is our sin. courage which supports our joy The Prophet Isaiah said: and hope. “Woe unto me! I’ve passed away, my lips sinned to God.” Isaiah 6:5. Fadia El-Hage

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Something for your grey matter

Crossword

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 Answers for issue 41 Across: 1. new 4. regent 17 8. units 10. urn 11. rat 12. Etna 14. scheme 17. so 18 19 20 21 22 18. pi 19. it 20. remiss 22. Dr. 23. UNESCO 25. 23 24 25 26 great 27. anise 29. star 32. pelts 33. Eire 34. 27 28 29 30 sadden 35. sun 38. eel 39. tremendous 31 Down: 1. nursing 2.enact 32 33 34 3. with 5. guesses 6. nun 7. trap 9. same 13. toss 35 36 37 38 39 15. errant 16. emu 21. in 22. deal 24. Omar 26. 40 41 42 tissue 28. ended 29. see 30. tines 31. reel 32. post 36. ancient city 37. north- east

Across: Down: 1. late meal 9. infuriates 11. smile maliciously 13. satellite 14. detector of submarines 16. in the 1, four-month academic periods 2. international morning 17. grape orchard 18. done on waves and on organisation 3. advance 4.god of shepherds who internet 21. fashionable 23. something to give special played on pipes 5. for example (Latin initials) 6. enjoyment 24. wrath 26. refusal 27. entrap 30. sticky, flammable sap 7. participant in game 8. annoys; old horses 31. salty 32. extremities; advice commerce 10. piece of music for voice 12. long 33. creeping plant on walls 35. leave out 37. kind of period 15. one of eight compass points 17. vigorous current 38. after the Lord 40. place of English victory life, energy 19. vase 20. extremist 22. proboscis 25. over French, 13th century 41. thick cord 42. Italian persuade, attract 28. tear vigorously 29. make river something certain 34. small dog’s bark 35. subjunctive for alternatives 36. dogs bark and cats … 37.imitate (pejorative) 39. point

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