No one can be certain that he owns or could CONTENTS own the truth, any truth, which is an issue of controversy and disagreement between THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE himself and anyone else. The truth! I should search for it with others, those who are different and of views opposed to mine, in what they believe, see and want, those whom we fear and those for whom we fear, those we are drawn to and those we abhor… ACADEMIC AFFAIRS But if I look for the truth, it is to declare my triumph over the others implicitly or explicitly; NDU President on IAU Board, Utrecht 3 it is another issue, and all they blatantly 4 Visit of Minister Leila El-Solh and Gift of Al Walid bin Talal Association reveal is nothing but self glorification. 7 Dialogue of Civilizations Forum, NDU Delegation Editorial Staff

 December 2008 |  issue 44

NDU Spirit A periodical about ACADEMIC AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES campus life at Notre Dame University - Louaïze. 8 Communio 9 Dr. Alam at Metanexus Conference in Spain  WEERC Telefax: (09) 214205 10 Water Storage, Conferences  Email: [email protected]  www.ndu.edu.lb/newsandevents/nduspirit LERC 14 Visits and Events

FBA&E 20FBAE Graduate Division Events

FAAD OPINION AND CULTURE  | Editor-in-Chief 25FAAD Ongoing Exhibition Georges Mghames 27Urban Workshop in Amman  | English Editor FE 43 Why GRE or GMAT for MA/MS for MBA Admission - Kenneth Mortimer 31ASME – Smart Robotics Challenge Dr. Ameen A. Rihani 31 Abu Dhabi Professor visits NDU Engineering 45 Byron and the Sublime Self – Sandra Bechara  | Reporting 45 Byron’s Oriental Narrative Self – Marina Mansour Ghada Mouawad FH 46 Check Your English 32NDU at Byron Conference 47 NDU School Poetry Competition  | Arabic Typing 33 NDU School Poetry Competition The Soul, Animals and Man – Dr. Edward Alam 49 Lydia Zgheïb 34 A Panel Discussion Report 51 The Consumer: Society’s Top Priority – Prof. Louis Hobeika  | Photographer FNAS 53 Qu’est-ce qui fait bouger le Dollar – Prof. Louis Conference: Analysis, Comp. Maths. & Abdo Bejjani 35 Hobeika Statistics 55 Bubbles – Dr. Walid Assaf  | Layout & design FPSPAD 56 Yoga and Martial Arts- Kenneth Mortimer Technopub 37 Dr. Chahine Ghais and IQEF 60 G.K. Chesterton – Kenneth Mortimer 64 NDU Astronomy Club – Joe Chamma  | Print STUDENT UNION 66 Summer Camp in Chabrouh – Joe Chamma Meouchy & Zakaria 39 Election Results 68 Are Organic Foods Healthier – Wassim Beaineh 70 Marriage Between Relatives – Wassim Beaineh SPORTS OFFICE 72 Interpreters – Indispensable! – Leila Hokayem 40 Traditional Games in Korea 73 Something for your Grey Matter 41 2nd Asian University Games 41 SOCIAL - OBITUARY

NORTH CAMPUS 42 Safadi Foundation and Polish Culture 42 Visits of the New NLC Director Student Union 42 (N.B. Opinions are those of the authors and do not engage the editors.)  | A Word from the President

The President’s Message

Once again: Academic Development

As a follow-up to I know this is quite demanding and ambitious. But unless we have a demanding previous and ambitious plan of action for academic development we will never advance and A discussions on grow in our ability to deal with knowledge; we will never develop our skills in academic transmitting, analyzing, criticizing, and finally producing knowledge. development, Underdeveloped countries are still at the stage of transmitting knowledge. I think that it is appropriate to Developing countries are at the stage of analyzing knowledge. Only developed highlight some of the major countries are at the stage of criticizing and producing knowledge. ideas along this line. One of the objectives of this It is vital to ask ourselves the fundamental question: what kind of a community are whole endeavor is to assist we? What is our role to help develop ourselves and our community in order to students, faculty, and staff in assist ourselves and our community to move steadily from the underdeveloped to increasing their ability, talent, the developing and developed levels? How can we help our students attain more conduct, and strategies to proficient and competent study skills? How can we help our faculty members better perform and deliver. accomplish additional effective and successful teaching skills? How can we help A certain level of achievement them in acquiring better research expertise? How can we provide our staff with should be attained and superior know-how, and support them to keep improving their level of performance sustained by the receiver of and delivery? knowledge, the provider of These essential questions have to disturb us every single day and alarm us every knowledge, and the facilitator single morning if we are serious about our own development, and consequently for both the receiver and about the development of our students and potential graduates. Development should provider. All three human become part of our daily life on campus and elsewhere. It should become part of resources should be successful our daily attitude, behavior, aspiration and way of thinking. in order to end up with a successful NDU graduate. In order to make this objective a real one, we ought to think pragmatically along these lines: talking development is discussing continuous assessment, growth, improvement, better achievement, quality performance and competitive delivery. These qualifications are equally true in education and in other human resource businesses; it is equally true for students, faculty members and staff. Let us start playing this very significant game.  | we are serious about our own development...

President Fr. Walid Moussa S.T.D.

 page 2|  issue 44 NDU President on IAU Board 15-18/7/08

NDU President on IAU Board for 2008 - 2012

Utrecht University, 15-18 July, 2008

From 15 to 18 July, 2008, Utrecht representing Asia and the Pacific region. Minister/Chairman, Higher The Board is once again geographically Education Commission, University together with the International representative and includes a record Islamabad, Pakistan and many Association of Universities hosted the number of women leaders, almost others. th Association’s 13 General Conference, approaching parity with men for the first To help mark this special which brought together more than 430 time. General Conference, in addition higher education leaders and other In the Thematic Programme, keynote to launching a much improved stakeholders from close to one hundred speakers and those who spoke in more International Handbook of countries. On this occasion, IAU was than a dozen workshops were asked to Universities and its online consider not only the major challenges version, the IAU produced a celebrating the 60th anniversary of its facing higher education institutions unique International Music CD, inception in 1948, in the same city, by the themselves, but also how universities and presenting pieces composed Government of the Netherlands and research address the most pressing and/or performed by artists UNESCO, under the Patronage of the challenges facing humanity. Speakers from member institutions. NDU Dutch Royal House. included Nicholas Burnett (Assistant had its share in the CD through Director-General for Education, UNESCO), Father Khalil Rahmeh The 13th General Conference, focusing Jamil Salmi (Coordinator, World Bank composing a very special music on the theme Higher Education and Network of Tertiary Education “minal kalb” (from the heart). Research Addressing Local and Global Professionals), Aart de Geus (Deputy At its first meeting the newly Needs, demonstrated once again the Secretary General, OECD), Hans Stoof and elected IAU Administrative unique, global convening power of the Yvonne van Rooy (Rector and President Board decided to meet at NDU IAU, as a promoter of the ideal of of Utrecht University, respectively), in Lebanon from the 3rd to universities and other higher education Brenda Gourley (Vice Chancellor, Open the 7th November, 2009. institutions as guardians of intellectual University UK), Wayne C. Johnson Immediately after the two-day life but actively conscious of their (Director, Strategic University Customer meeting of the Board, there are responsibilities and obligations to society. Relations Worldwide at Hewlett-Packard), to be a further two days Coming together every four years for a Akilagpa Sawyerr (Secretary-General, devoted to a thematic General Conference, this time the Association of African Universities), Juan conference to be attended by membership of IAU elected Dr. Juan Alejandro Tobias, President of the leaders in Higher Education Ramon de la Fuente, Former Rector of "Universidad del Salvador", Argentina, from all over the world. Atta-Ur-Rahman, Federal the National Autonomous University of Utrecht University published a México (UNAM), as President of the book entitled Work with Association for a four-year, non- Universities: the 1948 Utrecht renewable term. The leadership was Conference and the Birth of the further renewed by the election of IAU and participants were able twenty Administrative Board to enjoy viewing a video created Members and eight Deputy Board especially for this Conference to Members who took office present the work of the IAU. immediately. NDU President Father Walid Moussa was elected as a full Board Member

 page 3|  issue 44  | Academic Affairs

Gift of Al Walid Bin Talal Association

On Friday October 31, 2008, Notre Dame University welcomed Minister After the opening speeches of Ms. Leila El-Solh Hamadeh , Vice Chairperson of Al Walid Bin Talal Dr. Elias Nassar, Dean, FE, Fr. Humanitarian Association, on which occasion she donated equipment to Walid Moussa, President of the Faculty of Engineering on the Association’s behalf. NDU, and Mr. Abd El Salam Marini, Manager of the Educational Division in Prince Al Walid Bin Talal Association, Father Moussa offered two commemorative gifts to Minister El Solh.

Arrival at NDU: second from left, Mr. Abd El Salam Marini, then Fr. Walid Moussa, Ms. Leila El Solh, Dr. Ameen Rihani, Dr. Elias Nassar and Ms. Fadia El Hage.

The playing of the National Anthem. Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Jeanet Elias

Dr. Elias Nassar, Dean, FE.

 page 4|  issue 44 Al Walid bin Talal Associations’gift 31/10/08

In his speech Dr. Nassar highlighted the different stages of the development of Talal in this regard was greatly the Faculty of engineering and its areas of excellence. He explained the type of appreciated. The challenge equipment that was being donated by the Association and indicated that this facing us, he said, was to equipment would give the Engineering students new competencies and help to master technology without increase the Engineering services offered by the Faculty to the outside community. letting technology rule over He finally thanked Dr. Ameen Rihani and Mr. Marini for their efforts in us. He ended by thanking Ms. coordinating this donation and Ms. El Solh and Prince Al Walid for their Leila Solh, Mr. Abd El Salam generosity and commitment to the education of the future generations. Marini and Prince Al Walid Bin Talal, affirming that with In his speech Father Moussa affirmed that Ms. Leila El Solh was a friend of NDU God’s strength and the efforts and expressed his willingness to continue such cooperation with the Al Walid of all we shall not be afraid Association. He pointed out that the growth of a university is measured today by but will keep working for its ability to keep up with the latest technologies and the help of Al Walid Bin progress and for Lebanon.

Ms. Leila El Solh receiving a gift featuring Mr. Abd El-Salam Fr. Walid Moussa, President El Solh and Prince Al Walid Bin Talal. Marini, Manager of President, NDU Educational Division in Al Walid Ben Talal Association. Ms. Leila El Solh receiving the gift of a Ms. Leila El Solh touring the Faculty of fossil fish from the NDU Museum. Engineering.

 page 5|  issue 44  | Academic Affairs

In his turn, Mr. Abd El Salam to continue the cooperation with NDU The ceremony was followed by the Marini expressed his which had started with the Faculty of unveiling of a commemorative plaque appreciation and admiration Engineering, since both Al Walid Bin and a tour of the Engineering Labs, of NDU and its commitment Talal and NDU work for the same goal. where the donated equipment was to the education of students, He thanked NDU again for displaying displayed. especially those who suffered the statue of President El Solh at its from handicaps such as the entrance. deaf and the mute. He hoped

From left to right: Mr. Abd El Salam Marini, Dr. Ameen Rihani, Dr. Elias Nassar, Ms. Leila El Solh, and Father Walid Moussa.

Ms. Leila El Solh inaugurating the commemorative plaque.

Dr. Elias Nassar explaining the operation of the various Engineering equipment.

Ms. Leila El Solh and President Fr. Moussa viewing the donated equipment.

 page 6|  issue 44 Dialogue of Civilizations 6th Meeting

“Dialogue of Civilizations” (google) World Public Forum 6th General Meeting Rhodes, Greece – October 9-13, 2008  | Fr. Boulos Wehbe

For the third year running, NDU took civilizations’. Security in Lebanon and in the an active part in the World Public Arab region. He said that Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations”, The Lebanese delegation made societies build their solidarity together with 700 other considerable impact through the on the basis of equality in representatives from all around the presentations its members gave in the rights of the citizens and world. Fr. Walid Moussa, NDU various panels of the Forum into which enumerated the needs of President, Dr. Abdo Kahy, Director of participants were grouped, each panel those societies, ending with the Center for Societal Research, and dealing with a general theme. the following problematic: Fr. Boulos Wehbe, Senior Lecturer from “Which education do we need the Social and Behavioral Sciences Fr. Moussa tackled the issue of to enhance this communal Department of the Faculty of “cultural traditions and the educational feeling in our schools and Humanities, participated with others challenges in the Lebanese context”. universities?” from Lebanon, all invited through Dr. Studies had been made at NDU on Suheil Farah, a professor at the “these cultures and their influence and Fr. Boulos Wehbe tackled the Lebanese University with wide ties to impact on the attitudes and behaviors issue of Cultural Personality. the hosting organization and to Russia of the people, particularly the general He said that the cultural in general. behaviors connected to the different personality of the Arab Lebanese wars that took place, which Christian contains much of The conference touched upon such can be summarized as wars of the culture of Islam and of the subjects as social development and civilizations.” He explained that on the Muslims whose life he shares, dialogue space, vision of economic basis of these NDU had revised its and the same is true of the systems and dialogue potential of “curricula and renewed them… and Arab Muslim, whose cultural economic cooperation, interaction of reconsidered [its] extracurricular identity incorporates much of social and education systems, role of activities to provide our youth with a the culture of Christianity and the religious factor in regional conflict better humanistic and civic education of the Christians with whom prevention and legal aspects for for the years to come.” He added that he lives. He said that this ensuring stable development. It there were challenges to this, and applies mainly to those who grouped representatives of public, concluded that this crisis of cultural live within the cultural sphere intellectual and economic elites from traditions “is a crisis of lacerated of the Levant or of the all over the world from non- identity whose restoration we, as an Mediterranean, especially the governmental organizations, academic educational institution, are called to inhabitants of Lebanon, Syria, institutes and research centers, in order bring about through all our activities.” Palestine, Jordan and Egypt, to investigate and unravel the practical along with their neighboring problems of the ‘dialogue of Dr. Kahy dealt with the issue of Social regions.

 page 7|  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

Communio

On Monday 7th July, 2008, the Communio Circle Purification is closely associated with this personal enjoyed the hospitality of Dr. Doumit Salameh of encounter and comes through suffering, which is NDU Humanities, welcoming back Father Martin the setting for learning hope, followed by social O McDermott S.J.. After the usual meditation, Dr. action. Thus we hope for the great and beautiful Edward Alam introduced the subject of discussion, Kingdom of God, the gift of God, Father, Son and namely the second part of the encyclical of Pope Holy Spirit. Mr. Mufarrij recounted how he had Benedict XVI on Hope. Whereas the first part, learnt hope from a poor man in Aleppo who had previously discussed, turned on the question of lost his health and absolutely everything else. the material identity between hope and faith, the Suffering, the meeting agreed, was something that second part considered how hope was to be we all fight against but cannot eliminate. There is practised. Prayer was the means of learning hope no doubt that it gives maturity. The example was and suffering was the means of practising hope. given of the once well-known London University The subject was now dealt with in his very Professor of Philosophy Dr. Cyril Joad, a religious personal way by Mr. Riad Mufarrij. The Pope, he sceptic on account of the problem of extreme said, linked prayer to the exercise of desire, with pain in the world. But when he suffered intensely Jesus the desire of all nations. “It took the vinegar from terminal duodenal cancer (sixty years ago out of us to put in honey.” Personal prayer brings when little treatment was known) he returned to out compassion and tenderness, making one cling his mother Anglican Church. Dr. Habib Charles to God. There was the question of listening in Malek as usual made vigorous contributions to the prayer and of encounter with God. On the other topic under discussion. hand, liturgical prayer, using the official text of N.B. Communio meetings are open to all, whether the Church, guides us so that the Lord meets us. members of the NDU community or of other Subsequently, the mingling of private and public universities, or simply members of the public prayer leads us to God, with social repercussions. interested in the more intellectual aspects of There is the service of transmitting to others what religion. The invitation is extended to members of God has said to us. In Corinthians one learns that every religion, for Orthodox and Reformed the ability to listen is one of God’s gifts. As a participate regularly and in the past Muslims have consequence one does not have a high opinion of sometimes made interesting contributions to the oneself but learns humility, a sign of hope, which discussion. Information may be obtained from Dr. urges to prayer. Edward Alam, 09.218950...5, ext. 2405, and from his website [email protected].

Back row, left to right: Dr. Doumit, Dr. Habib Charles Malek. Front row: Father Vincent McDermott, S.J., K.J. Mortimer.

Enjoying the hospitality of Dr. Doumit Salameh: Dr. Edward Alam, Dina Nseir, Dr. Jean-Pierre el-Asmar, Riad Mufarrij.

 page 8|  issue 44 Dr Alam in Spain 08/08

Dr. Alam represents NDU in Spain

In July of 2008, Dr. Edward Alam attended the prestigious eighth annual conference of the Metanexus Institute on Religion and Science, titled Subject, Self, and Soul: Transdiciplinary Approaches to Personhood, held outside of the United States for the first time. The mere titles of the conferences, which began in 2000, are enough to show the great depth of interest pursued by the Institute, which is fast becoming the leading forum for the exploration of cutting-edge issues involving the relation between Religion and Science. Well-known international scholars, such as Stanley Jaki, theologian and physicist, were in attendance. Former conference titles include Transdiscplinary and the Unity of Knowledge: Beyond Science and Religion Dialogue; Continuity and Change: Perspectives on Religion and Science; Science and Religion: Global Perspectives; Science and Religion in Context; Works of Love: Scientific and Religious Perspectives on Altruism; Interpretation Matters: Science and Religion at the Crossroads; Interpreting Evolution; and Genetics, Bioethics and Evolution.

This year’s conference description from the Metanexus website noted that “despite our amazing scientific discoveries and technological powers, we are still a question to ourselves,” and thus suggested that “if we are truly to understand ourselves, our place in the cosmos, and our relation to each other and to the divine, we must adopt rich transdiciplinary approaches that cut across fields of knowledge, institutional boundaries, cultural borders, and religious traditions.”

Dr. Alam’s presentation, Soul Matters: Apes, Anthropology and Aristotle, published on the On-Line Metanexus Journal, was selected by the prestigious Journal Transdisciplinary In Science and Religion (Bucharest) as one of the outstanding presentations of the conference and is to be published in a developed version of the presentation in the Journal’s 2009 issue. As fate would have it, at precisely the same time that Dr. Alam was giving his paper (wherein he argued for a difference not only of degree between the animal soul and the human soul, but also for a difference of kind) the Spanish parliament announced that it would give “human rights” to apes!

An excerpt from Dr. Alam’s paper is given in the section Opinion and Culture. To see Dr. Alam’s full presentation and to learn more about Metanexus see http://www.metanexus.net/institute/conference2008/). –Ed.

 page 9|  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

WEERC Workshop

Water Storage, Conferences

In the framework of its WEERC-AVSI gases, which are a major contributor to activities, the Water, Energy Integrated River Basin Management and global climate change, by improvement and Environment Research Monitoring of Nahr El Kalb Watercourse of the demand-side management and including Chabrouh Dam and Jeita Center at Notre Dame energy conservation. Aquifer University (WEERC-NDU) held various educational and The Italian NGO AVSI is collaborating LCECP is expected to become the scientific events including with the Ministry of Energy and Water official national center for energy seminars and conferences (MEW), the Water, Energy and efficiency and renewable energy in during the year 2008, in Environment Research Center at Notre Lebanon. LCECP will cater for and collaboration with AVSI, MEW, Dame University (WEERC-NDU), Notre support most of the energy UNESCO and LCECP. Dame University (NDU), and the NGO conservation activities and quests in Istituto per la Cooperazione Lebanon. It will be the official body of Universitaria (ICU), on a project for the Lebanese Government handling all studying the basin of Nahr El Kalb. energy efficiency and renewable energy matters in Lebanon, as well as The main objective of this study is to coordination with the international draw up an implementation mechanism organizations and donors. for integrated river basin management along with the neighborhood policy LCECP has a wide range of activities between Lebanon and the EU in order such as energy audit studies, energy to satisfy the requirements of the EU efficiency projects implementation, Water Framework Directive (WFD). solar energy studies and implementation, awareness activities, and capacity building activities. WEERC-LCECP The Lebanese Center for Energy Energy audit studies show that savings Conservation Project (LCECP) can reach as high as 25% of the total The Lebanese Center for Energy energy bill of a given site. Major sites Conservation Project (LCECP) is a joint in Lebanon have joined the LCECP collaborative project between the energy audit program, including sites United Nations Development such as Beirut International Airport, Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of City Mall Giant Casino, ABC Achrafieh, Energy and Water in Lebanon (MEW). Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Haykel The project is financed by Global Hospital, Notre Dame University, Environment Facility (GEF) and MEW, Solicar, Uniceramic, and many others. managed by UNDP and executed by MEW. Its aim is to reduce greenhouse

 page 10 |  issue 44 WEERC Workshop

WEERC - UNESCO of Public Relations at NDU, representing at Notre Dame University are National Campaign on “Water Awareness Reverend Father Walid Moussa, NDU jointly organizing a workshop within the Municipalities District after the President. on “The Implementation of completion of Chabrouh Dam”  | Mr. George Awad, Programme Officer, Jenneh Dam in Nahr Ibrahim, The Ministry of Energy and Water and Communication & Information Sector, Jbeil” on Tuesday 18th the Water, Energy and Environment UNESCO Regional office – Beirut. December 2007 at the WEERC Research Center at Notre Dame  | Dr. Fadi Comair, General Director of premises in the old Campus of University (WEERC-NDU) in Hydraulic and Electric Resources - Notre Dame University on collaboration with the UNESCO Ministry of Energy and Water.  | Potable Water usage in Regional Office in Beirut organized a  | Mr. Nohad Nawfal, President of the Costal zone between National Campaign on “Water Union of Municipalities of Kesrouan – Jbeil and Beirut, Awareness within the Municipalities Ftouh.  | Development of District after the completion of  | Dr. Musa Nimah, Professor at AUB. Irrigation, Chabrouh Dam” at the municipality of  | Mr. André Atallah, Professor of  | Hydroelectric Production, Zouk Mekayel on the 28th February Hydraulic Structures. and 2008. The campaign was under the  | Public-Private patronage of the Union of The main subject of discussion was the Partnership for Project Municipalities of Kesrouan-Ftouh. “Integrated use of Water for Drinking, Financing, Irrigation and Industry within the in collaboration with The object of this campaign was to Municipalities after the Completion of Consolidated Engineering increase awareness concerning water Chabrouh Dam”. Company – Khatib & Alami. (for drinking, irrigation and industry) Sponsored by within the Municipalities after the completion of Chabrouh Dam / Faraya. WEERC-NDU Speakers: The Ministry of Energy and Water  | Opening with Mr. Suhail The speakers were: (MEW) and the Water, Energy and Matar, Director of Public  | Mr. Souhail Mattar, General Director Environment Research Center (WEERC) Relations, NDU;  | Reverend Father Walid Moussa, President of Notre Dame University - Louaize Photo at the Conference at the Municipality of Zouk Mekayel.  | Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General of Hydraulic and Electric Resources - Ministry of Energy and Water and Director of the Water, Energy and Environment Research Center  | Dr. François Bassil, Chairman – General Manager of Byblos Bank S.A.L. represented by Mr. Fadi Nassar, AGM – Head of Corporate Banking  | H.E. Mr. Mohammad Al Safadi, Minister of Energy and Water by Interim.

 page 11 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

First Session, presided by Dr. Adel Project Design Environmental Impact Assessment Cortas, Former Minister of Agriculture By Mrs. Nisrine Ghattas, Hydraulic By Dr. Ali Zeidan, Environmental Structure Engineer, Khatib & Alami Engineer, Khatib & Alami Public Private Partnership for Project Mr. André Atallah, Professor of Ms. Héra Haytayan, Environmental Financing D.B.O.T Hydraulic Structures Engineer, Khatib & Alami By Dr. Fadi Comair, General Director of Hydraulic and Electric Resources, Hydroelectricity Production Characteristics of the Project: Ministry of Energy and Water and By Dr. Adel Abou Jaoudé, Civil and Height of dam, 100 m. Length of Director of Water Energy and Hydraulic Engineer Khatib & Alami crest, 307m. Width of crest, 12 m. Environment Research Center Volume of water held, 2,500,000 m3. Water Management By Dr. Adel Abou Jaoudé, Civil and Hydraulic engineer Khatib & Alami

Surface Geology and Investigation By Ms. Laurence Charbel, Geologist Khatib & Alami

Second session presided by Dr. Ali Moumen, FAO Representative in Lebanon

Hydrology of Nahr Ibrahim By Dr. Hadi Jaafar, Agriculture Engineer, Hydrologist,Khatib & Alami Photo of the Janneh Dam location

A speech of Dr. François Bassil, Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General of Hydraulic and Electric Resources at the Chairman and General Ministry of Energy and Water and Director of Water Energy and Environment Manager of Byblos Bank, S.A.L., Research Center, after greeting the important personalities present, pointed out represented by Mr. Fadi that while Lebanon was blessed with water, the number of inhabitants and the Nassar, AGM, Head of level of their demands were increasing, while much water was lost in the sea Corporate Banking, covered because of the steep slopes and the nature of the underlying strata, which did something of the history of not facilitate storage at a reasonable price. water control and of the way it was being dealt with Taking into consideration the principles laid down by the United Nations about worldwide. healthy water supply, the Directorate of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources was promoting awareness on the administrative level as indicated by the agreements of Rio de Janeiro 1992 and Tokyo 2004. The Ministry had developed a 10-year plan for storage to make good infrastructural deficiencies. There were plans for twenty-four dams with reservoirs.

 page 12 |  issue 44 WEERC Workshop

WEERC - Workshop on “the Development of Fishing in Chabrouh Dam”

The Ministry of Energy and Water the WEERC premises. This event was (MEW) in collaboration with the Water, under the auspices of the Minister of Energy and Environment Research Energy and Water H.E Mr. Mohammad Center at Notre Dame University Al Safadi. The object of this event was (WEERC-NDU), the Ministry of to manage Chabrouh Dam for Agriculture (MoA) and the Food and recreational fishing. Agriculture Organisation (FAO) organized a workshop on “The Future forecast: tourism planning in Development of Fishing in Chabrouh Chabrouh Dam area, ecosystem and Dam” on Thursday 8th May 2008 at reservation along with Chabrouh dam.

The speakers were: Conclusions and  | Mr. Souhail Mattar, General Director of Public Relation at NDU, representative of recommendations: Reverend Father Walid Moussa, NDU President. The problems that might arise  | Dr. Adel Cortas, Former Minister of Agriculture. in Chabrouh Dam are plant  | Dr. Chadi Mohanna, Director of the Rural Development and Natural Resources, growth, mosquito infestation, representative of H.E Mr. Talal Al Sahili, Minister of Agriculture. sedimentation, municipal  | Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General of Hydraulic and Electric Resources, Ministry of pollution, stratification and Energy and Water, and Director of WEERC representative of H.E. Mr. Mohammad Al anaerobasis. Safadi, Minister of Energy and Water.  | Eng. Andre Atallah, Professor of Hydraulic Structures.  | Mr. Ibrahim Hawi, Head of Rural Development and Natural Resources in Bekaa, Suggestions proposed: Ministry of Agriculture. Stocking with at least three  | Dr. Imad Patrick Saoud, Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Dept. of Biology, fish species that should be American University of Beirut. tolerant of cold in winter and higher temperature in Dr. Adel Cortas presided the event and the following subjects were discussed: summer. One fish species  | Climate and hydrological condition of Chabrouh Dam should be a herbivore to  | Fresh-water aquaculture control plant growth, one  | Feasibility and environment impact of a fishing development project in should be a mosquito-eating Chabrouh Dam fish and one should be a predator to control the population of the other two.

 page 13 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities LERC News

N.B. The following LERC items have been shortened but will be found in more detailed form in website www.ndu.edu.lb/lerc

Fifth IMISCOE Annual Role of Women of Lebanese Descent Conference, Bilbao, Spain  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant

The Fifth IMISCOE Annual Conference was held at The Committee of Women of Lebanese Descent in the World Lebanese Cultural the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, from 9th Union (WLCU) organized a conference held on Thursday, 7th August, 2008, at to 12th September, 2008. The conference began Le Royal Hotel, Dbaye, Metn,on the Role of the Lebanese Woman in the with a plenary session on immigration in Spain. Diaspora, in the presence of President Sleiman's representative Ambassador Mr. Ms. Guita Hourani, Director of LERC, joined the Khalil Karam, Minister of Tourism representative Ms. Ghada Fakhoury, MP Sethrida Geagea, the World President of WLCU Mr. Elie Hakmeh, and the cluster which dealt with migration and citizenship President of the Committee of Women of Lebanese Descent Ms. Haifa from the perspective of legal status, mobilization Chedrawi. Participants included Dr. Salwa Al Amine, Dr. Soad Al Hakim and and political participation. On the second day the LERC Director Ms. Guita Hourani. The conference was moderated by the plenary session dealt with Latin American journalist Mrs. Laure Sleiman Saab. Migration.

From left to right: Mrs. Laure Ms. Hourani posing with LERC Sleiman Saab, Ms. Guita Hourani team: Ms. Marinova, Ms. Abdul giving her speech, Dr. Salwa Al Khalek and Mr. Elie Nabhan. (August From right to left: Director Hourani, Dr. Irina Amine, and Dr. Soad Al Hakim. 2008) Molodikova, and two other participants, Bilbao, 2008. (August 2008) Gender & Emigration LERC at IV CARIM Summer School Conference Miss Basma Abdel Khalek, Research Assistant at the Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC), was chosen from among  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek LERC Research Assistant hundreds of international applicants to participate in the IV LERC Associate Researcher Dr. Salwa Karam spoke CARIM Summer School on Euro-Mediterranean Migration and Development organized by the Robert Schuman Center for at a workshop entitled Gender and Emigration in Advanced Studies (RSCAS) at the European University Institute th Lebanon organized on Friday, 11 July, 2008, at (EUI), Florence, Italy, from 7th till 18th of July 2008. Professors Le Meridien Commodore, Beirut, by the affiliated to various universities in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Great Association of Family Organization, in cooperation Britain, Egypt, and Turkey, and lecturers from international with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Lebanon. organizations such as the European Commission (EC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO)took part. There were talks by the President of the Association of Family Organization Mr. Toufic Osseiran, President of the Population Committee Cyprus National Day at Hotel Phoenicia of the Association Dr. Riyad Tabbara, the At the invitation of the Chargé d’Affaires p.i. at the Embassy of representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Cyprus Dr. Kyriacos Kouros, LERC attended the National Day of Dr. Samir Farah, and Dr. Salwa Karam. Cyprus held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, on October 6th, 2008, represented by Director Guita Hourani, Research Assistant Basma Abdul Khalek and team member Elie Nabhan.  | Reported by Basma Dr. Kouros delivering his Abdul Khalek, LERC address on Research Assistant the National Day of Cyprus. From left to right: Dr. Karam, Dr. Farah, Dr. Tabbara, and Mr. Osseiran (July 2008)

 page 14 |  issue 44 LERC News LERC

Promoting NDU and LERC in Australia Nigerian Independence Day

From July 3rd to July 20th, 2008, the Director of the Lebanese  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Emigration Research Center Ms. Guita Hourani, visited Australia, to Research Assistant attend the Maronite Youth Forum 08, to present Mr. Victor A. On Nigeria’s 48th Independence Day, LERC Sahade with an award and to meet with members of the Lebanese responded to the invitation of H.E. Hameed communities. Mr. Sahade was also awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Opeloyeru, Ambassador of Nigeria, to a reception Order of Australia in the General Division for Queen’s Birthday at the Coral Beach Hotel, Beirut, on October 1, Honors List of 2008 for “service to the Lebanese community, 2008. LERC was represented by Elie Nabhan, particularly through the Maronite Church”. Saturday saw preliminary Nigerian of Lebanese descent, LERC Visiting contacts between Ms Hourani and H. E. ‘Ad Abi Karam, Maronite Researcher Dr. Peter Adebayo, from the University Bishop of Australia, the Australian Catholic University, and Lebanese of Ilorin in Nigeria, and Research Assistant Basma in Sydney. With the Maronite Youth Forum 08 fast approaching, Abdul Khalek. meetings were held with the organizers and with Maronite bishops and priests accompanying the Maronite Patriarch, Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, who were to attend the Forum themselves. Ms. Hourani then met with Professor Brother Jude Butcher, Director, and Mr. Anthony Steel of the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement (IACE) of the Australian Catholic University, and Fr. Paul Rouhana, Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of the Holy Spirit University, to discuss the Maronite Youth Forum 08 and the joint research project with ACU on Maronite Identity.

Following the OAM medal award in Sydney, Mr. Sahade is being congratulated by Lady Marie Roslyn Shehadie, At the National Day of Nigeria (from left to known as Marie Bashir (of righ): Mr. Nabhan, H.E. and Mrs. Opeloyeru, Ms. Lebanese descent), current Governor of New South Abdul Khalek, and Dr. Adebayo. Wales, Chancellor of the University of Sydney, and the first female Governor of New South Wales. Ms. Hourani presents Mr. Sahade with his award, Sydney. LERC at National Conference on Electoral Law Jean-Pierre Katrib from Under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel Sleiman, a National Conference entitled An Electoral “Now Lebanon” Law Tailored for the Nation was held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, on On Friday, September 19, 2008, LERC was Wednesday 11th June 2008. It was co-organized by the National visited by Mr. Jean-Pierre Katrib from the Now Commission on Electoral Law (NCEL) and the United Nations Lebanon team, who met with LERC Director Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with the Civil Ms. Guita Hourani to learn about LERC’s Campaign for project of a publication on absentee voting, Electoral being prepared by NDU Professor and LERC Reform (CCER). Adjunct Research Associate Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous. They discussed the latest results of the survey set up by LERC to examine the positions of the various large During the second session, from left to right: Ms. Sylvana Lakkis, Dr. Fahmiah Charafeddine, Dr. Arda Ekmekji, Ms. Guita Lebanese diasporas on absentee voting. Hourani, and Mr. Said Sanadeeki.

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LERC and NDU at Uruguay Maronites of Cyprus: Award for LERC National Day Director At the invitation of H.E. Jorge Luis Jure Arnoletti, Ambassador of Uruguay, Ms Guita th Hourani, Director of LERC, attended the On Saturday, 27 September 2008, under the auspices of H. E. Uruguay National Day celebration at the Town Antonis Haji Roussos, Maronite Representative elected to the Cyprus Hall in Jounieh on Thursday, June 19th, 2008. Parliament, as well as the patronage of Honorable Dr. Kiriakos She represented the NDU President and the Kouros, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Cyprus in Lebanon, an Vice President of Research and Development, award ceremony was held at the invitation of the Mr. John being accompanied by Mr. Roberto Khatlab, Moussas, of Moussas Publications and publisher of the LERC’s Liaison Officer for Latin America. The MaronitOrama, at Le Royal Hotel in Dbayeh, Metn. President of Jounieh Municipality Mr. Juan H. E. Hajji Roussos presented an award to Ms. Guita Hourani, Hobeich attended, as did the Minister of Director of the LERC, for her personal work for the Maronites of Foreign Affairs Mr. Faouzi Salloukh Cyprus. This came at a great surprise to Ms. Hourani. representing President Michel Sleiman; Deputy Ms. Hourani’s award took the form of a triple-necked incised vase Naametallah Abi Nasser representing Speaker which was a certified copy of an early Bronze Age vessel (2000- of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Mr. Nassif 1850 BC) in the museum of Nicosia. Kallouch, Governor of Beirut and the North, representing Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

H. E. Hajji Roussos presenting Ms. Hourani, H. E. Haji the award to Ms. Hourani while Roussos, Dr. Torbey, Mr. Moussas, Dr. Torbey cheerfully applauds. and Honorable Dr. Kouros.

Uruguay celebrates its National Day: (L-R) H. E. Hajji Mr. Roberto Khatlab, LERC’s Latin America Roussos, Mrs. Liaison Officer, H.E. the Ambassador of Sleiman-Saab and Uruguay, Jorge Luis Jure Arnoletti, and Ms. Fr. Saab. Guita Hourani, Director of LERC.

LERC at Mexico National Day  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant

At the invitation of H.E Mr. Jorge Alvarez, Ambassador of Mexico, the Lebanese Celebrating Mexico’s national Day, from Emigration Research Center at Notre Dame University attended the celebration left to right: Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC th of the 198 Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence at the Club Marina in Dbaye Research Assistant, H.E the Ambassador of on September 15, 2008. LERC was represented by Dr. Edward Alam and his Mexico Jorge Alvarez, and NDU Professor, Dr. wife Jinane, Mr. Amin Nehme, LERC Consultant, Mr. Roberto Khatlab, LERC’s Edward Alam. Liaison Officer for Latin America, and Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant. Representatives of President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Fouad From left to Siniora and President of the National Assembly Nabih Berri also attended, as right: Ms. Husseini, did ambassadors of several South American countries, including H.E. Mrs. Mr. Nehme, Mr. Georgina El-Chaer Mallat, Ambassador of Colombia, and H.E Mrs. Zoed Duaji Khatlab, and Mr. Karam, Ambassador of Venezuela. Nigeria’s Ambassador H.E. Hameed Opeloyeru de Araujo was present with other personalities from the Nigerian Embassy. (September 2008).

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Lebanese in LERC attends Curaçao Square Inauguration

Nigeria: LERC at Under the patronage of President of Beirut Municipality Mr. Abdel Meneam El Ariss, and with the presence Nigeria Week of the Governor of Curacao H.E. Ms. Lisa Dindial, the Curaçao Square in Verdun, Beirut, was inaugurated on The Embassy of Nigeria in Lebanon, August 12, 2008. LERC was represented by Research Assistant Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek. Present were Lebanese State representatives and officials, members of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) under H.E. the Ambassador Hameed the presidency of Mr. Ahmad Nasser, winners of Miss Lebanon Emigrant and members of the Lebanese Opeloyeru and the Lebanese Nigerian community in Curaçao. The President of the Arab-Latin American Chamber of Commerce Mr. Nasser Hakim Friendship Association (LENIFRA) said this event was a crucial step towards presenting other nations with a ‘civilized’ image of Lebanon.  | organized the Nigeria Week and the Reported by, Basma Abdul Khalek LERC Research Assistan visit of the Nigerian Trade Delegation to Lebanon. The Directorate of From left to right: Miss Lebanon Curaçao, Emigrants and the LERC helped Mr. El Ariss, H.E. Ms. Dindial, and Mr. Hakim. organize the event, which took place (August 2008) during the week of July 28th-August 2nd 2008. LERC of Notre Dame University was represented by Director Ms. Guita Hourani, Research Affiliate Ms. Marie-José Tayah-Hicks and Research Assistant Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek. Lebanese Orthodox in Australia  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant The visit of the Nigerian Trade Delegation was intended to help the “The Migrants and Faithful of St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral Nigerian business and executive in Sydney, Australia from 1880 onwards” was the title of the communities interact with their lecture organized on Wednesday 8th October, 2008 by the Lebanese counterparts. It consisted of Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC) at Notre Dame University. This lecture was based on a book prepared by a the Nigerian Association of the committee of the parishioners of the Cathedral supervised by Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mr. Emil Dan (Doumany). Among the guests were H.E. Ms. Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Lyndall Sachs, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mr. Hameed accompanied by representatives of the Opeloyeru, Ambassador of Nigeria, Ms. Sevane Chahine for Ministries of Trade and Foreign Haitham Jumaa, Director of Migrants at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jad El Hage, writer and journalist, and NDU Vice A souvenir picture from left to right: Ms. Affairs. The Nigeria Week is poised to President for Research and Development Dr. Assaad Eid, as well Hourani, H.E. Mr. Opeloyeru, H.E. Ms. Sachs, become an annual event. as NDU, LU and USJ professors and students, members of the Mr. Dan, Mrs. Dan, Fr. Wehbe, and Dr. Eid.  | Rported by Marie-José Tayah Kandalaft and Melki families, and LERC friends. University of Kent/LERC Research Affiliate With contribution from Basma Abdul Khalek LERC Research Assistant Visit of Dr. Nick Kahwaji of WLCU President of L.I.BA.N. visits LERC On Tuesday, 19th August, 2008 Dr. Nick Kahwaji, Deputy World Secretary General of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, Ms. Hourani Lebanese emigrant and Canadian resident in Vancouver, British presents Dr.  | Reported by Basma Columbia, paid a visit to LERC, where he met LERC Director Kahwaji with Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Ms. Guita Hourani, and was shown around the Lebanese copies of LERC Assistant Migration University Museum by Mr. Elie Nabhan. Dr. Kahwaji publications. th was impressed by the LERC nucleus collections on Lebanese On Friday, 8 August, 2008, migration in the Lebanese Migration University Museum at LERC welcomed the Founder NDU, as well as by the electronic archives collection. President of Lebanese  | Reported by Elie Nabhan International Businessmen Associations’ Network Historian Regina Dantas of (L.I.B.A.N.) Attorney Robert From left to Jreissati at its new offices. Rio at LERC right: Historian On Monday, 28th July, 2008, Mr. Roberto Khatlab, Regina Dantas Here LERC Director Ms. Guita Latin American Liaison Officer of LERC, with LERC Hourani and Program accompanied Historian Regina Maria Macedo Director Guita Costa Dantas of the Museum of the Universidade Hourani and Developer Mr. Amine Nehme LERC Latin Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) on her visit to heard a presentation by Mr. American Liaison LERC. Ms. Dantas has done research on the Officer Roberto Jreissati about the mission Lebanese immigrants in Rio de Janeiro as a staff Khatlab. and objectives of his member of the UFRJ Museum. organization.

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Visit of Cyprus Chargé d’Affaires Cuba Minister visits LERC The Minister in Charge of Consular and The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Cyprus Dr. Kyriacos Kouros Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Cuba visited LERC at NDU on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. He met in Lebanon, Mrs. Maria Isabel LERC Director Ms. Guita Hourani, LERC staff Ms. Ghada Khoury and Velazquez, visited the Lebanese Mrs. Liliane Haddad, LERC team member Mr. Elie Nabhan, LERC Emigration Research Center (LERC) at Adjunct Research Associate Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous, Research NDU on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. Associate Dr. Salwa Karam, Consultant Mr. Rudy Kazan, Senior Mrs. Velazquez, aware of the uniqueness Research Assistant Mr. Rudy Sassine, and Research Assistant Ms. of LERC’s efforts concerning Lebanese Basma Abdul Khalek. migration, was impressed by its plans for the Lebanese Migration University Museum at NDU, for which she offered to provide material. Over a presentation of the collection on Brazil, from left to right: Ms. Haddad, Mrs. Velazquez and Ms. Hourani (September 2008). Mr. Rudy Kazan (standing) explaining LEAD Ms. Hourani showing Dr. to Dr. Kouros (sitting in the middle), and LERC Kouros LERC’s collection on indexers, Ms. Liliane Haddad and Mr. Elie Cyprus. Nabhan.

Visit of Relief International

On the initiative of Mr. Ali Hijazi, Senior Credit Officer at Relief International (RI) – Lebanon and Research Assistant at LERC of NDU,

LERC Research Assistant Mr. Imad Hamzé, Lebanon Chief of Relief International, was welcomed on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at the LERC offices by LERC Director Ms. Guita Hourani, Research Assistant Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek and NDU Professor and LERC Adjunct Research Associate Dr. Edward Alam. RI was able to introduce its new program EMLED, aimed at improving the Author Farshee visits condition of Lebanese municipalities facing difficulties for development and having basic needs to meet. LERC Mr. Louis Farshee visited LERC on Basma Abdul Khalek, Thursday, September 18, 2008. Mr. A souvenir picture Farshee (Farshakh), an American of of Ms. Hourani, Mr. Hamzé, Ms. Abdul Lebanese descent, was keen to discuss Khalek, Dr. Alam, his current manuscript which details the

Reported by and Mr. Hijazi. history of his grandfather’s migration to | the United States in the socio-economic  and migration context of the USA between the late 19th and early 20th IOM Regional Representative at LERC century. Also present at the meeting On Thursday, 30th October, 2008, Dr. Shahidul Haque, International were NDU Professor and LERC Adjunct Organization for Migration’s Regional Representative for the Middle Research Associate Dr. Edward Alam, East, visited LERC accompanied by Mr. Othman Belbeisi, Officer in and Dr. Joanne Farshakh Bajjaly, Charge, and Ms. Cosette Maiky, Consultant and Project Assistant, journalist in archeology and cousin of both of IOM Beirut Office. The visit was at the request of Dr. the author. Haque, who is familiarizing himself with universities, government departments, etc., in the Middle East which deal with migration.

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Visit of Diava Stasiulis of Carleton University, Ottawa Professor Diava Stasiulis, an expert on international migration, citizenship studies, gender and discrimination at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, paid a visit on Monday, 11th August, 2008, to LERC, where she met Director Ms. Guita Hourani. She was accompanied by her Research Assistant Ms. Louisa Romanos, who was instrumental in introducing Professor Stasiulis to LERC following her attendance at one of Ms. Hourani’s lectures in Australia. From left to right: Dr. Sensenig- Dabbous, Director Hourani, Dr. Stasiulis and Ms. Romanos.

Ms. Lody Brais from Brazil visits LERC Tourism Minister Marouni  | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant visits LERC th On Thursday 18th September, 2008, Ms. Lody Brais, President of the Tuesday 18 November, 2008 Brazilian-Lebanese Cultural Association (Associação Cultural Brasil- Líbano) met with LERC Director Guita Hourani and LERC staff. She At the invitation of NDU President Fr. Walid was accompanied by Mr. Roberto Khatlab, LERC Liaison Officer for Moussa, H.E. Minister of Tourism Elie Marouni Latin America. visited Notre Dame University-Louaizé on November 18, 2008. He met Fr. Walid Moussa in A stamp lobbied the presence of NDU Vice-Presidents for Academic for by Ms. Brais Affairs Dr. Ameen Rihani and for Research and commemorating the Development Dr. Assaad Eid, Mr. Suheil Mattar, th 125 Anniversary of Director of Public Relations, Dean of Business Dr. Gibran. Elie Yachoui and the Director of the Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC) Ms. Guita Hourani.

Ms. Brais on her visit to LERC At NDU President's office (from left to right): Dr. flanked by Mr. Khatlab (left) and Ameen Rihani, Mr. Souheil Matar, Ms. Guita LERC Director Ms. Hourani (Sept Hourani, Fr. Walid Moussa, and H.E. Minister 2008). Marouni (Nov 2008).

 | Reported by Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Research Assistant

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FBAE - GRADUATE DIVISION EVENTS First Executive MIB Symposium NDU holds First Symposium on Executive Master Program

In collaboration with the The jury consisted of Mr. Nabil Itani, members are divided into groups that University of Bordeaux’s Chairman and President of IDAL, Mr. will each submit a global business plan Management School, NDU’s Dia’ El Behbehani, a well-known to a jury consisting of private sector Business Graduate Division Kuwaiti businessman, Dr. Vincent businessmen and investors. These held the First Executive MIB Battle, former U.S. ambassador to amendments also include holding a Symposium on the joint Lebanon, and Dr. Carlos Adem, Business Simulation Competition, he Executive Master Program in President of the Wines and Spirits added. The program covers new International Business at Le Producers Union, in addition to an elite courses, including Doing Business in the Royal Hotel, Dbaye, Metn. of businessmen, investors, bankers and Middle East, Islamic Banking and Graduates presented three entrepreneurs. Finance, E-business, Supply Chain global business plans, before Management, and other materials Dr. Elie Yachoui, Dean of the Mrs. Viviane Nakhle welcomed the relevant to Lebanon and the region. Faculty of Business audience and presented the speakers. Administration, Dr. Rock- Then, Dr. Mehanna inaugurated the Dr. Baena stressed the importance of Antoine Mehanna, Director of Symposium with a welcome address in partnership with NDU as it ranks NDU’s Business Graduate which he provided detailed information among the Middle East’s leading Division, and Dr. Cesar Baena, about the 10-month program, which is universities. He also highlighted the Director of the Bordeaux followed by a specialized training major amendments that had been Program, as well as Lebanese session that ends with the submission introduced in the program since last and foreign faculty members of a thesis before a jury. “This program year, adding that several Lebanese within the Program. is dedicated to professionals holding a bankers, general managers and university degree in Business prominent entrepreneurs had already Administration, Engineering, Banking, graduated from the program. Social Sciences, Law, Humanities or Arts, and is accredited by EQUIS and The three Global Business Plans AMBA and affiliated with the Bordeaux included several new initiatives and Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” were put forth for discussion by the Dr. Mehanna indicated. jury members. The Best Global Business Plan prize was awarded to the winning Dr. Mehanna also pointed out the team, and a Best Team prize was given amendments that were introduced to for the Business Simulation the program, in particular that at the Competition, which consisted of end of the learning period the program managing a virtual online company

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during the period of the program. Present Faculty Members 7. Mr. Talal Ahmar, Students in the program had competed  | Dr. Atef Harb President, Squaremeters with their counterparts from  | Dr. George Labaki 8. Mr. George Khoury, CEO, prestigious universities in America,  | Mrs. Viviane Nakhle Khoury Home Group Europe and Australia. The winners also  | Dr. Elham Hashem 9. Mr. Fadi Bejjani, President received certificates of appreciation  | Mr. Hassan Hamadi of Strategix Technologies, from NDU and the University of  | Dr. Caroline Akhras Lebanon and Saudi Arabia Bordeaux.  | Dr. Cesar Baena 10. Mr. Dia’ Behbehani, CEO,  | Mr. Armen Balian Behbehani Group, Kuwait  | Dr. Rock-Antoine Mehanna 11. Mr. Pierre Beaini, Program  | Dr. Elie Yachoui President and Owner of a  | Welcome Address by Mrs. Viviane  | Ms. Maya Rashed, Adm. Assist. transportation and logistic Nakhle, FBAE company  | NDU Word by Dr. Rock-Antoine List of Jury Members 12. Mr. Bernard Tannoury, Mehanna, Director of FBAE 1. Dr. Vincent Battle, former U.S. CEO, Benta Pharm Graduate Programs, NDU Ambassador to Lebanon 13. Mr. Antoine Khairallah,  | BEM Word by Dr. Cesar Baena, 2. Mr. Nabil Itani, Chairman and President, Powerline Director BEM MIB Program General Manager, IDAL Group  | Program Overview and 3. Dr. Carlos Adem, President Fakra 14. Mr. Toufic Tahhan, CEO, Testimonials by former MIB Spirits, President of the Assembly of Abed Tahan and Sons students Wine & Spirits Producers in Lebanon 15. Mr. Fadi Saab, Chairman  | Brief Presentations of three Global 4. Mr. Nadim Tabet, President, Bosh & President Trans Business Plans 5. Mr. Fadi Martinos, CEO, Motilotop. Mediterranean Airways  | Brief Presentation of the Winning President of the Assembly of Jbeil (TMA) Team Municipalities 16. Mr. Marc Abed, Managing  | Distribution of Awards to the 6. Dr. George Nicolas, Private Partner, Entertainment Winning Team Members in the Enterprise Partnership for Middle Industry Business Simulation Competition East and North Africa, The World  | Refreshments Bank

(left to right): Dr. Hashem, Mrs. Nakhle, Dr. Hamadi, Dr. Harb, Dr. Labaki, Dr. Battle, Mr. Itani, Mr. Behbehani, Mr. Ahmar

(left to right): Mr. Bernard Tannoury, Mr. Nabil Itani, H.E. Dr. Vincent Battle, Dr. Rock-Antoine Mehanna, Mr. Fadi Saab and Dr. G. Nicholas

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17. Mr. Raja Haddad, Testimonials by former MIB  | Ms. Edith Kordahi President, Starmanship students  | Ms. Lara Khabbaz 18. Mr. Joe Boulos, CEO,  | Ms. Krystel Abi Nasr  | Mr. Joe Karam Acecraft Group and  | Mr. Rabih Osta  | Mr. Michel Ghanem Teleferique du Liban  | Mr. Saad Ghanem  | Mr. Jad Noweisser 19. Mr. Mounir Mouawad,  | Mr. Jad El Hajj  | Ms. Maria Abboud General Manager of  | Ms. Pascal Azzi Mouawad Paper Company, MIB Class ‘08  | Mr. Hussein Kammouny CEO/GM of Beton Mont  | Mr. Zahi Kawass  | Mr. Yussef Abdel Nour Liban Sal.  | Ms. Maya Nakhoul 20. Mr. Elie Saab, Director of  | Mr. Charbel Abou Hanna Winning Team in the Business Finance, LBC  | Mr. Tarek Reaidy Simulation Competition 21. Mr. Mohammad Beyhoun,  | Mr. Hasan Younis Fadi Safi, Charbel abou Hanna, Youssef Bank Med  | Mr. Nohra Beaini Abdel Nour, Joe Karam, Jad Noweisser  | Mr. Fadi Safi and Michel Ghanem.

MIB student, Joe Karam, receiving his certificate (left to right): Dr. Mehanna, Dr. Baena, Dr. Yachoui, MIB Class ‘08 with Dr. Mehanna Mr. Itani, Dr. Battle, and Mr. Behbehani

The winning team with their Certificates

 page 22 |  issue 44 FBAE News

The FBAE Graduate Division holds its 5th Graduate Orientation Session

In 2007, the FBAE Graduate Division Reverend Fr. Salim Rajji aptly covered the Business Advancement. Both launched the First Graduate Orientation role of SAO in the life of the graduate journals are published by Session (GOS) in collaboration with the students. Then, Mrs. Leslie Hajj explained Inderscience (Switzerland and Student Affairs Office and the Libraries. very thoroughly the many ways in which USA) and are jointly sponsored The purpose of the GOS event is to students could use the library facilities, by the CIBER at the University welcome the new MBA and Executive databases, off-campus research of Connecticut, CIBER at the MIB students into the Faculty at Notre accessibility, etc. The very successful GOS University of Memphis and the Dame University. The GOS took place this event ended with an informal get- Texas A&M University at year on Friday, September 26, 2008 at together of faculty members and Commerce, USA. 5:00 p.m. in the Pierre Abou Khater Hall graduate students over refreshments. at the Main Campus of NDU. The focus NDU, Vice Presidency of of the GOS is to clearly and concisely NEWS AGBA for the Mediterranean inform the MBA and Executive MIB MBA Student Wins Outstanding Region students of both graduate programs, Research Paper in Dallas At its recent meeting, the Board covering the mission of NDU, the mission NDU MBA student, Shady Remeily ‘06, of Trustees of the Academy for of the Graduate Division, graduate has co-authored a paper with Dr. Victor Global Business Advancement programs’ curricula and extra-curricula Bahous and FBAE faculty member Dr. (AGBA) selected and appointed activities, guidelines, policies and Mohamad Hamadeh entitled “The Dr. Rock-Antoine Mehanna of procedures, and introducing graduate Predictive Power of Financial Measures in NDU as the Vice President for faculty members and their research Testing Stocks’ Irrational Exuberance in the Mediterranean region for a interests. Traumas”. The paper received one of the period of five years. Moreover, the GOS event covered ten Outstanding Research Paper Awards Additionally, Dr. Mehanna has important issues related to student affairs organized by the International Academy been invited (full board) by the (presented by SAO Director, Fr. Salim of Business and Public Administration AGBA World Congress and the Rajji), and graduate research and other Disciplines Conference, Dallas, USA. AGBA South Asia Chapter as library support facilities (covered by Mrs. keynote speaker and chairman Leslie Hajj, Director of Libraries). Dr. NDU Invited to Guest Edit a Special for a session on “Middle Eastern Caroline Akhras presented the speakers Issue of Two International Refereed Business Issues” and another and opened the event with a welcome Journals one on “Regional Business address, followed by the Director of the The FBAE Graduate Division at NDU has Issues” at their upcoming Graduate Division, Dr. Rock-Antoine been invited to guest edit a special issue conferences to be held in Mehanna, who gave an overview of both of each of the following two Pakistan and Bahrain, graduate programs with their mission international refereed journals: Journal respectively, in November 2008. and their curricula, pertinent policies, for International Business & guidelines, rules and regulations. The Entrepreneurship and Journal for Global

(left to right): Dr. Akhras, Dr. Mehanna, Fr. Rajji, and Mrs. Hajj

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FBAE GRADUATE DIVISION

Selected Theses in the MBA Program

MBA Candidates, Spring 2008  | Soha Maalouf. Thesis: “Applying ISO 9001: 2000 in a Software Development Environment: The case of SecurSoftware Corporation” (Supervisor: Dr. Atef Harb, Reader: Dr. Marie Kheir)  | Racha Naoum. Thesis: “Islamic Banks: Development, Competition, and Future Prospects” (Supervisor: Mr. Raja Shaffu, Reader: Mr. Antoine Khalil)

Selected Theses in the Executive MIB Program

Executive MIB Candidates, Spring 2008  | Cynthia Karam. Thesis: “Human Capital Mobility: The Case of Lebanese in Australia” (Supervisor: Dr. Akl Kayrouz, Reader: Dr. George Labaki)  | Bassam Samara. Thesis: “Assessment and Strategic Planning in Engineering Consultancy in India: the Case of a Lebanese Engineering Consulting Firm” (Supervisor: Dr. Atef Harb, Reader: Dr. George Labaki)  | Tania Salloum. Thesis: “Joint Commission vs. Lebanese Ministry of Health Dietary Standards: Quality Assessment and Analysis. A Case of Saint George’s Hospital” (Supervisor: Dr. Atef Harb, Reader: Dr. Antoine Farhat)  | Carla Ghannam. Thesis: “Byblos Bank Expansion in Qatar” (Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Hamadeh, Reader: Dr. Akl Kayrouz)  | Edgar Maroun. Thesis: “Expanding Retail Messaging at PowerMeMobile” (Supervisor: Dr. Atef Harb, Reader: Mr. Elie Debeh)

FBAE GRADUATE FACULTY RECENT PUBLICATIONS

 | Mehanna, Rock-Antoine. 2008. “Strategic Patterns in International Business: Product Differentiation or Complementarity?” Journal of Transnational Management, vol. 13, no. 2: pp. 112-131.  | Mehanna, Rock-Antoine and Mohamed Kabir Hassan. 2008. “Readiness of the Gulf Monetary Union”, Economic Research Forum Working Paper, no. 441: pp. 1-20.

 page 24 |  issue 44 Ongoing Exhibition FAAD

FAAD Ongoing Exhibition Think Different, Think FAAD-Express yourself  | Roula Majdalani

FAAD now has on its premises an exhibition ongoing all year long, as promised in a prior article in NDU Spirit. The exhibition encompasses the best projects from both the Architecture and Design Departments to give a wider overview of the students’ creativity and to encourage their expression.

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The last exhibition, in April, mounted panels based on custom- A special free area was included to let was entitled Think different, made monograms, musical moods, students and instructors express think FAAD. Students portraits, arabesque, communication themselves on paper by a word, an expressed their individual between a knife and a fork, etc.. expression, a drawing, a caricature or creativity through a visual anything that might come to their language by showing the The exhibition highlighted students’ mind. design process of their work. work, to create with the viewers Digital conceptual projects artistic interaction and dialog through Hope to see you at our next exhibition! were organized thematically critical thinking by analyzing, to provide accessible points of interpreting and judging the items N.B. This item was received in July, entry to territory unfamiliar to displayed. just too late for the summer issue. the general public: wall- We are sorry for the delay. –Ed.

 page 26 |  issue 44 Workshop FAAD

Author Urban Workshop in Amman Noelle in Wadi Rum

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008, 6:30 a.m.: we all gathered at the NDU main campus, busy placing our luggage in the bus and eager to start our trip to Jordan. After a long day crossing the frontiers of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, we finally reached the ancient city of Jarash, where we were guided through its archaeological remains, the immense amphitheatre, spacious marketplace and intriguing palace. At the new Central Business District hotel in Amman, we unpacked and sat down for dinner together and refreshed of Amman. It has been ourselves before spending a free night, keeping in mind the prepared seminar conceived with a modern, schedule starting early the following day. The seminar had been jointly organized by concentrated core, bringing the Jordanian NGO Urban Workshop represented by Mrs. Nashwa Suboh into the capital of Jordan a (Architect-Urban Planner-Managing Director) and by Mr. Nicolas Gabriel, centre of high quality urban Instructor of ARP 562-Urbanism II, a major requirement of the Architecture community living. It is a program of FAAD-NDU. large-scale project, an architectural feat that will rise The seminar opened with a speech of business district of Amman. Mrs. in Amman in 2010. This first welcome by the General Manager of Nashwa Suboh introduced the projects urban regeneration project in Urban Workshop, Mr. Akram Bou and activities of Urban Workshop and the city will develop Hamdan. He expressed his readiness to the final schedule of the seminar. Mr. integrated links between extend further the collaboration Fadi Nassim, Associate Architect of business, culture, education, between his organization and the LACECO, consultant, presented the and leisure areas. The project Architecture Department of FAAD-NDU Abdali Project with all its relevant is destined to become a new by organizing other joint-ventures such phases. Participants were therefore landmark of construction, as workshops, seminars, and charettes. thoroughly exposed to the genesis of development and civilization. The main focus of the seminar was the the project and its prospects. The Al The planning, function and Abdali Project, the new central Abdali project is meant to become the design of the Abdali Project is the fruit of Arab creativity.

Enjoyable evening in Before the iconic Treasury, Petra Kan Zamman FAAD beauties!

Dead Sea mud! A nap in the Pullman

 page 27 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

The total built-up area of the and Engineer Thaer el Hajj delivered an organizers from including other site is 1,000,000 m2 consisting exhaustive presentation on the Saraya important presentations and lectures of of residential apartments, Project, where the latest planning tools interest for Architecture and Urbanism office premises, and and techniques are to be used. It students. In fact, we were lucky to commercial and retail outlets, involves creating an urban touristic have Dr. Khaled Jayyousi from the in addition to hotels, hospitals region having hotels, bungalows and University of Petra, Jordan. His and a central park. As for the most importantly an artificial lagoon presentation dealt with the “Chaotic financial and economic part of integrated inside the land. Since this Urban Development” in the Palestinian the project, a private lagoon will not be replenished by refugees camps and their surroundings. shareholding company was natural waves, a study has been made The Jordanian experience was enriching established in Jordan through on the process of flushing the dirty in this respect and may well be applied a partnership between water out of the lagoon. After being in similar situations. Moreover, Mr. Mawared, United Real Estate pumped from the sea to cool the Riko Sibbe from Foster and Partners Company, and Horizon, an technical parts in the compound, water presented the latest projects international construction is then sent through rivers back to the undertaken by his firm in the Arab conglomerate. lagoon. Protecting the environment world and internationally. It is worth and specifically the marine life in the stating that Foster and Partners is one Another main focus of the Red Sea have not been ignored, of the largest architectural firms in the seminar was the Saraya attention being given to the world and that three of NDU’s Project in Aqaba Southern regulations set down by ASEZA (Aqaba architecture department graduates Jordan on the eastern arm of Special Economic Zone Authority). The have been hired by them in the main the Red Sea. The Saraya presentation given on the second day office in London. Project is a resort of of the seminar was backed up by a site international scope that is visit that was organized especially for Last but not least, Urban Planner expected to be the jewel of us three days later. Kamal Jalouka from the Urban the Al Aqaba seashore. Mr. Workshop presented an insightful Shadi Al Majali (General The main focus of the seminar on Al lecture about the situation in Arab Manager of Saraya Project) Abdali and Saraya did not prevent the cities in the light of current

Noelle Homsy, author of the article, Lebanese-owned At Mount Nebo with Bedouins restaurant in Aqaba Debkeh at the Zarb dinner

Rita charming the Sheraton audience

 page 28 |  issue 44 Workshop FAAD

globalization. The seminar was closed the Jordan river, where Jesus Christ deep into the mountains, in a wrapping-up session during which was baptized. often concealing ancient rock Architecture students from NDU and drawings. This remarkable from Petra University exchanged email On arriving at the Dead Sea, we did not landscape is now a protected addresses and means of contact, waste a minute before having a dip in area covering 720 square hoping to meet next time in Lebanon. the very salty water famous for its kilometres, available for beneficial effect on the skin. A mud everyone to explore. The After enjoying a delicious lunch at the bath was not something we could miss mountains of Rum are home Sheraton Hotel, we headed to the while we all enjoyed an hour of to several Bedouin tribes, a construction site of the Abdali project, relaxation and fun. fact which allowed us to enjoy which amazed us with its huge scale. a hearty Bedouin dinner with Later in the evening, we all went out After waking up the following day in “zarb”, lamb roasted deep in to spend some time at Kan Zaman, a the city of Aqaba, we spent some time embers. series of old streets decorated with in its souk before going for an handcraft shops and local restaurants unforgettable trip in a glass-bottomed After a long drive to Petra, a which reminded us of Lebanon’s Zouk boat and enjoying the wonders of the clean and comfortable room Mikhael. Red Sea before visiting the at the hotel was the one thing construction site of the Saraya Project we needed. The ancient city The visit to Aqaba provided an as had been planned earlier. The there considered to be one of opportunity to visit Mount Nebo in afternoon was reserved for a jeep tour the Seven Wonders of the Madaba, famous as the mountain from in Wadi Rum, one of the world’s great World was indeed the most which Moses perceived the Promised deserts described as “vast and amazing work of architecture Land as mentioned in the Old echoing”. Sheer-sided mountains of and natural treasure I had Testament. This revealed to us the sandstone and granite emerged from ever seen. Famed as “the religious aspect of Jordan, which was open valleys to reach heights of over rose-red city half as old as further emphasized by our arriving at 1700 meters, and narrow canyons cut time” and carved into the

Mr. Akram Ms. Nashwa Sibbe Rikko, Tamer Akiki, who Hamdan, Urban Suboh, Co- Principal obtained the Workshop General organizer Architect at sponsorship The wrap-up session Manager Foster's

Urban Workshop Workshop at Headquarters, Amman Amman

 page 29 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

sheer rock face by the façade, 30m wide and 43m high, efforts in organizing this seminar Nabataeans, Petra is carved out of the sheer dusky-pink jointly with Urban Workshop and for considered the most glorious, rock-face and dwarfing everything his patience and sense of humour that valuable, and mysterious around it, was hewn out in the early made the trip even more enjoyable. treasure of Jordan. It is an 1st century as the tomb of an eternal monument to a lost important Nabatæan king and Finally, I would like to express my most civilization founded by people represents the engineering genius of earnest wish that this kind of activity who settled there more than these ancient people. may become a tradition, or even a 2,000 years ago, turning it requirement in the Architecture Program. into an important junction for Finally, after our journey had ended, the silk, spice and other trade we headed back to the Syrian frontier Participants in the Seminar: routes that linked China, India bringing back with us to Lebanon MELKI Habib, Acting Dean, FAAD; and Southern Arabia with memories of unforgettable experiences. GABRIEL Nicolas, FTM-FAAD (Initiator Egypt, Syria, Greece and and Organizer of the Seminar); Rome. Although much has Special thanks go to Mrs. Nashwa BECHARA André, FTM-FAAD; HAJJ been written about Petra, Suboh, Managing Director of Urban Gabriel. FTM-FAAD; DAGHFAL / nothing really prepares you for Workshop, for her hard work in making SHOUGHARI Graziella, FTM-FAAD; this amazing place. It has to the seminar one of the most beneficial SAMRA Christine. PTM-FAAD, DADOUR be seen to be believed. experiences we have ever enjoyed; to Stéphanie, PTM-FAAD; BTEICH Chadi, Entrance to the city is through Indevco Foundation for their generosity Co-Academic. the “Sig”, a narrow gorge over in partially covering the expenses of 1 kilometre in length, which is the trip; and to Mr. Suhail Matar, Students: flanked on either side by Director General of Public Relations ABI FARAH Georges, ACHAA Millie, soaring 80 metre-high cliffs. and Information at NDU, for AKIKI Tamer, CHAHINE Robert, CHEDID Just walking through the Siq facilitating the donation of Indevco Roy, HELAYEL Rita, HOMSI Noëlle, is an experience in itself. The Group; to Acting Dean Mr. Habib Melki KENDIRJIAN Saro, NASR Wassim, colours and formations of the and Chairperson Dr. Jean-Pierre Asmar NOUFAILY Dany, ROUHANA Rana, rocks are dazzling. Coming for their support and help in making YAZBECK Michel. upon Al-Khazneh (the this seminar come true; and to Treasury) is an awe-inspiring Instructor of the course Urbanism II  | Noelle Homsy experience. The massive Mr. Nicolas Gabriel for his time and Architecture Student

NDU and Jordan Jarash, panorama students

Zaha's Excavations of winning the Abdali design the Project Amman Opera In Wadi Rum

 page 30 |  issue 44 Robotics Challenge FE

ASME – Smart Robotics Challenge

The American Society of Mechanical teams represented AUB, three represented we are already planning next Engineers – NDU Student Section LAU and two represented NDU. year’s bigger and better organized its first inter-university student A jury formed of professors from all three challenge. We are also design competition. The competition’s universities examined the robots, and the determined to win next year’s idea was based on the 2005 ASME competition was launched at 10h45. The challenge. I would like to take international student design challenge. first running robots found the track the opportunity to thank the Teams from AUB, LAU and NDU were slippery, and had a hard time climbing ASME-NDU executive challenged to design a small robot the first bumps. The last robot to run committee and volunteers, our collector-transporter that could be was the only device that had no adviser Dr. Ghazi Asmar, the guided by one person and could deliver difficulty at all in climbing the stairs and competition’s coordinator Dr. moderate amounts of gravel over a pre- delivering the gravel. Thus, the winning Najib Metni, and the specified course. team was AUB’s team led by student Mechanical Engineering Fifteen teams from the three universities Hazem Khayat. Second and third places Department at NDU. Thank you registered for the competition, hoping to were won by LAU teams. However, it was for helping us set the standard, win the grand prize of $2000 offered by NDU’s own undergraduate, student again. Smart. However, on June 2nd, only 7 Charbel Khoury who won the Best Design  | Charles Haddad teams were able to make it to NDU’s award, for his conveyor belt collector. ASME NDU Student Section main campus with working robots. Two The competition was a huge success, and 2007-2008 Chair

NDU Student Charbel Khoury, winner of the AUB’s Best Design winning Award team

Abu Dhabi Professor visits Dr.Toufic Mezher talking to Engineering students about The NDU Engineering Masdar Initiative in Abu Dhabi.

On Friday October 17, 2008, the Faculty of Engineering hosted Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor at Masdar Institute of Technology in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Mezher gave a presentation about the Masdar Initiative, which is building the first zero- emissions city in the world, Masdar City. He also presented the newly established Masdar Institute of Technology (MIST), a graduate engineering school that focuses on research in sustainable energy. Dr. Mezher also encouraged NDU Engineering students to apply to MIST, which offers full financial support for its students. More information can be obtained from http://www.masdar.ac.ae/

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NDU at Byron Conference

NDU participation in Dear Naji: international conferences on As has been the case in previous years, the Notre Dame University presence enriched Romantic English Literature the International Student Byron Conference in academic, cultural, and social ways. I'll mainly address the first of these matters. Because the trio of papers by Professor was repeated this year when Oueijan and his two students comprised a well-calculated unity of approaches to the Prof. Naji Oueijan conference theme of "Byron's Other Selves", all three were grouped together in an accompanied three of his academic session that went very well indeed. Sandra Bechara's "Lord Byron's Sublime Literature students, Ms. Self" was a fine example of solid research in primary sources and clear, jargon-free Sandra Bechara, Ms. Marina expression. Ambitiously drawing upon Edmund Burke and other romantic theorists of Mansour, and Ms. Celine Bou the sublime, Sandra found concrete expressions of the philosophers' abstract ideas in poetic texts by Byron. Her close readings of those texts nicely illustrated principles of Chedid to the 6th. sublimity at work in human situations. Marina Mansour's approach in "Lord Byron's International Student Oriental Narrative Self" was a good complement by dint of foregrounding critical and Conference organized by the narratological principles in her examination of Byron's The Giaour. Familiar as I am Messolonghi Research Byron with the Byron scholarship of Naji Oueijan, I was able to detect and appreciate Center in Messolonghi, Marina's mastery of some literary arguments he's laid out in published form and her Greece,18-25 May, 2008. The ability (remarkable for an undergraduate) to apply those arguments in well-focused discussion of a particular text--a very subtle one at that. Finally, Professor Oueijan's theme of the conference was more broadly conceived "Lord Byron's Universalism" supplied a highly desirable Byron's Other Selves. Ms. intellectual complement to the two previous presentations. Bechara made a presentation Both Sandra and Marina are such polished, fluent speakers of English that their skills entitled Byron’s Sublime Self, in using a language not their own proved almost invisible. One forgot that English and Ms. Mansour talked about isn't their first language, and that in itself is a high compliment to how well they've Byron’s Oriental Narrative Self. been taught by Professor Oueijan and others on the English faculty at Notre Dame. Both were exemplary in Along with their colleague Celine, they were friendly, courteous, welcome additions to an international group including students and professors from Greece, the United exposing the high educational States, Canada, the Czech Republic, Scotland, and England. As in previous years, standards of Notre Dame Professor Oueijan's students have brought real credit to their university--and their University. This is evident in success also reveals what a challenging, inspiring, and fatherly teacher he is. the commendation letter sent  | Peter W. Graham by Prof. Peter Graham, a well- Director of International Relations, known Byron scholar and Messolonghi Byron Research Center organizer of the academic and Professor of English, Virginia Tech” program of the conference For abstracts of the students’ presentations, see OPINION and CULTURE. (see Letter). Prof. Oueijan insists that such involvements of NDU students in international activities are most needed to promote NDU in the world and to encourage students to become more and more involved in research and genuine scholarship.

Professor Naji Oueijan on the podium.

 page 32 |  issue 44 Conference FH

NDU School Poetry Competition

The aims of the NDU Faculty of Humanities, First Secondary School Student Competitions in the fields of Poetry and Translation, were as follows:

 | To offer secondary school students interested in English Literature and in Translation the opportunity to reveal their linguistic and literary talents.

 | To create a platform where these students can compete and exhibit their skills.

 | To enable them to publish their works in university publications and journals.

 | To stress and make generally known the significance of the English and Translation majors on the professional and artistic levels, and

 | To financially reward the most skilled and talented among the students and so encourage them to pursue their dreams of proper university education

The number of contestants in the two Contests was 53. prize, Mr. Jerry Ghazal (NDL); and third prize, Ms. Serine They came from five distinguished schools, namely Adma Abi Rached (Jesus and Mary). International School, Antonine Sisters School, Jesus and Mary School, Notre Dame de Loueize, and La Sagesse The jury members for the Translation Contest were Dr. School, with one competitor coming from a public Jamil El-Doueihi, Mrs. Zeina Chalhoub, and Ms. Marly school in Ukraine. Nasr. The members of the jury for the Poetry Contest were Dr. Amal Malek, Dr. Edward Alam, and Dr. Naji The winners of the Translation Contest were as follows: Oueijan. Dr. Oueijan, who chaired the Organizing first Prize, Mr. Joseph Khoury (NDL); second prize, Ms. Committee of this activity, and its members Rev. Fr. Madeleine Farah (NDL); and third prize, Ms. Ellen Francis Boulos Wehbe, Dr. Amal Malek, Dr. Edward Alam, and (Jesus and Mary). Dr. Joe Ajami, were all impressed by the work of almost all the contestants. Students of Dr. Oueijan’s class The winners of the Poetry Contest were the following: (LIR 302-Introduction to Poetry) acted as masters first Prize, Ms. Clara Dabaghi (Antonine Sisters); second of ceremony and ushers.

Expectant students.

Dean of Humanities Dr. Naji Oueijan, Mr. Joseph Dr. Carol Kfoury Chairman of the Khoury, NDU, 1st presiding. Organizing Committee. prize Translation. For the winning poems see OPINION and CULTURE.

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A Panel Discussion Report

 | By Naji Oueijan

At the request of Prof. Assad Eid, VPSRD, to commemorate the EU Year of Cross- cultural and Inter-Cultural Dialogues, and to encourage research activities among NDU faculty members and students, a series of panel discussions entitled, “Common Platforms for Bridging World Cultures” were planned for Spring and Fall 2008.

The first panel discussion was held on Friday, May 30, 2008. Faculty members and students (graduate and undergraduate) from the several Faculties and research centers at NDU were represented on this occasion, which took place at NDU Friends’ Hall. Twenty-minute presentations were made over three sessions. All endeavored to provide answers to the following question: How and where do cultures meet (Integrate, Compete, and/or Conflict) in the fields of sciences, arts, humanities, business, and the professional fields? Prof. Naji Oueijan, Chair of the Organizing Committee, which included also Dr. Eugene Sensenig, Dr. Ramez Maalouf, and Dr. Hassan Hamadi, presided the Introductory Session, during which Prof. Assaad Eid, VPSRD, addressed the audience with emphasis on the significance of the event especially that the International Association of Universities have adopted this theme for their forthcoming conference at NDU. Prof. Ameen Rihani, VPAA and Keynote Speaker, gave a seminal presentation addressing the issue of multiculturalism and its significance amidst current affairs. The introductory session was followed by three during which twelve panelists from five faculties deliberated the main issue (program attached).

The activity was a successful one especially that six students were given the chance to present in public their research. The discussions were both stimulating and enriching and the attendance was better than expected.

 page 34 |  issue 44 FNAS 18-19/08/08

Analysis, Computational Mathematics and Statistics

September 18-19, 2008  | Dr. Elias Saleeby

Mathematics is a diverse discipline that Mathematics is an evolving field with for solving these models - as aims at revealing and describing many problems old and new. Many of most often this is necessary. hidden structures and patterns in all the new problems arise from the The models help in data phenomena that we encounter. developments and advances that are reduction, and often they Mathematics is more or less unique in taking place in the natural and social allow us to identify and the sense that it has a solid foundation sciences, such as physics, biology, describe the laws and based on logic and set theory, and genetics, economics, finance, computer mechanisms generating this therefore, old theories are almost never science, etc. It is not hard to see that data. The solutions are out of date. One may consider that the reverse is also true - these sciences indispensible for making mathematics is essentially made up of develop themselves under the influence predictions. three main branches: algebra, geometry of mathematical applications. With the and analysis. For over three centuries, advent of computers, the bringing In general, conferences in the it has been well known that many together of theory and applications has mathematical sciences tend to mathematical theories and problems become much more possible and more be focused on a particular involve aspects from all three branches. fruitful. It is perhaps safe to say that in area or a particular topic. This understanding, motivated to a most of these applications, the Experts in the area are invited large extent by extensions to higher "analysis branch", which is largely the to speak, and almost all other dimensions, led to a rapid synthesis study of function theory and operators, participants are specialists or during the twentieth century between has the most to offer, as among its students in that area. these three apparently different applications are differential equations, Conferences of this sort branches revealing further the unity of probability theory, statistics, and require a decent size budget the subject. Indeed, this synthesis has numerical analysis - to mention a few. to organize, and are certainly led to the development of many new The main goal in all these applications not of the best type for a powerful methods and tools and to the is to identify and build all sorts of country like Lebanon where solution of many difficult problems. models, and then to develop methods the number of active

 page 35 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

specialists in any one area is rather Saporta has been a president of the small, and, moreover, budgets are French Statistical Association, and a meager. Considering these factors and Vice-president of the International the political situation that was present Statistical Association. Dr. Nabil Nassif, in the country early this year, it was who is a Professor of Mathematics at decided that it was best to organize a AUB, gave a lecture on Scaling and conference that was broad enough to Parallel Integration for Systems of appeal to a good number of Differential Equations. Professor Nassif mathematicians and statisticians in is a graduate of Harvard University, this country and in the neighboring and has taught at a number of countries. This explains the title of the prestigious European universities. He conference and the relatively large has played a significant role in number of topics that this establishing and improving a number encompassed. However, this is not of programs in mathematics and unusual, and it is not at all at odds statistics at a number of Lebanese with educating and training universities. Dr. Abdallah Lyzzaik, who mathematicians and statisticians. This is a professor at AUB, gave a lecture on conference was the first to be the Riemann Mapping Theorem for organized by the Mathematics and Harmonic Mappings. Professor Lyzzaik Statistics Department at NDU, and it is well known internationally as a was only the second conference specialist in the area of Geometric organized by FNAS. The conference was Function Theory and Harmonic Maps. organized with the help of Dr. Our scheduled fourth speaker, Professor Friedemann Brock, a professor of Vincenzo Ferone from the University of mathematics at AUB, and Dr. Wassim Napoli, Italy, who is a specialist on the Daher, who is now a professor of Theory of Elliptic Partial Differential mathematics at GUST in Kuwait. Equations, was unable to join us due to health reasons. There were a number of The conference had four invited other speakers and participants from keynote speakers. Dr. Gilbert Saporta, Jordan, Iran, Syria and some other who is Professor and Chair of Applied Lebanese Universities including NDU. Statistics & CEDRIC, Conservatoire The proceedings of the conference will National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, appear in print in the spring of 2009. gave the opening lecture on Linear Functional Data Analysis. Professor

 page 36 |  issue 44 FNAS

Dr. Chahine Ghais & IQEF

Dr. Chahine Ghais of the NDU Faculty of Political Science, Public Administration and Diplomacy received the following letter dated 5th October, 2008 from Jens Mueller of the International Quality Education Foundation (sic):

Dear Dean Dr. Chahine A. Ghais:

Thank you for your interest to work with IQEF as a reviewer of accreditation applicants. Please accept my apologies for taking so long to reply to you. We had more than 1,800 expressions of interest from academics around the world, and it took longer than expected to process those.

I am delighted to advise that IQEF has appointed you to the

IQEF Regional Review Board – Middle East

Where you will join another group of esteemed academics to review IQEF applicant schools as their application process develops.

We are progressing well with the creation of a global benchmarking system for institutions, and can I please ask your help to contribute to this benchmark?

If you could complete the IQEF Benchmark report at … (address given – Ed.) we will send you a comprehensive results report for your institution, and you will then also strengthen the IQEF benchmark date base. This report is confidential to your institution. I would be very grateful for this support. I would assume that the results will assist you with the positioning of your own institution and thus contributes value to as well.

I have also enclosed information on grant program which allows a few institutions a subsidy of up to 75% of IQEF membership fees, and is open to a limited number of applicants. If you could distribute this information to institutions that might be interested in a global accreditation, we would be greatly appreciative.

With warm regards,

 | Jens Mueller NDU Spirit joins the Administration in congratulating Dr. Ghais on his appointment.

 page 37 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

Parkour Group from USA

On Friday October 17, 2008, urban acrobatics. The performance of Parkour is the art of moving through NDU, with the collaboration of the troupe allowed the audience to your environment using only your body the US Embassy in Beirut, share the diversity of American dance. and the surroundings to propel hosted the “American Parkour yourself. It can include running, Group”, a group of nine The American Parkour dancers, based in jumping, climbing, even crawling, if dancers who presented a California, conducted several that is the most suitable movement for dynamic spectacle akin to workshops for Lebanese youth the situation. Parkour can best be combining skills-training with the grasped by imagining a race through group’s professional performances and an obstacle course; the goal is to highly charged demonstrations of overcome obstacles quickly and physical ability, agility and acrobatics. efficiently, without using extraneous The workshops were practical and safe, movement. teaching participants the basic moves (jumping, landing, rolling and vaulting) Parkour is a training to overcome in a padded environment. obstacles. The name itself is derived from the phrase parcours du The focus of those events is the combattant, meaning "obstacle demonstration of the diversity in the course”. Parkour’s philosophy involves United States entertainment field finding oneself in an environment and (dance) while improving the skills of discerning the path to take to achieve aspiring Lebanese. Young Lebanese a goal. The point is to find one’s own from different disciplines, who have path, see it and travel it. When a long endured conflict, are encouraged difficult situation surfaces in daily life, to interact with each other for the a traceur (Parkour practitioner) can purpose of experimenting with a new view this as any other obstacle to art form. This program will be a overcome quickly without disrupting message of support and the intended path. encouragement for them.

 page 38 |  issue 44 Parkour Group FPSPAD

STUDENT UNION 08-09

The Student Union Elections were held on November 7, 2008 in an amicable environment. They were preceded by a competitive campaign involving two lists, each grouping candidates from each of the seven faculties, since the new by-laws of the Student Union (previously called Student Cabinet) stipulated that representation was to be according to faculty, not class (sophomore, junior, or senior), as was previously the case.

The elections were for thirty members, comprising the new Student Union. The by-laws stipulate that each faculty should have at least two members in the Student Union and that each additional 150 students should have a representative. The elections took place at the SAO and at the Admissions Office, while life was going on as usual on campus. The day passed off without friction despite the normal campaigning fever. The results were officially announced by the SAO Director, Fr. Salim Rajji, on November 10 as follows:

 Raphael Elias  Louis Saghbini The new SU met on  Wassim Badr  Chris Nawfal November 17 and elected  Zeina Abi Ghanem  Sara Abou Zeid its Executive Board as  Elie Chaftari  Osheer Manoutian follows:  Rani Keyrouz  Abdo Sebaaly Elie Chaftari, President  Roy Haddad  GIlio Nemr Nasrat Abi Tayeh, VP  Salloum Dadhdaah  Ralph Janohan Rani Keyrouz, Treasurer  Richard Tannous  Cedric Breiss Richard Tannous, Secretary  Nasrat Abi Tahyeh  Ralph Maroun Fadi Barakat, Chair  Fadi Barakat  Akram Hajj Wassim Badr, Secretary, SU  Jad Ghosn  Rosiella Antoun Zeina Abi Ghanem, Advisor  Antranik Dochoyan  Robin Saghbini Salloum Dahdaah, Advisor  Guinista Aoun  Serge Boustany Roy Haddad, Chair  Patricia Tannouri  Rima Nehme  Rodrigue Harb  Lea Ghoussoub

This was followed by the SU being sworn in before NDU President Fr. Walid Moussa in the presence of the SAO Director, Fr. Salim Rajji and the SAO Associate Director, Fr. Boulos Wehbe. The ceremony opened with a prayer, followed by a word from the President. Fr. Moussa stressed the spirit of service of the SU towards all students without distinction, and the need to work together as students, faculty and staff for the betterment of NDU. The ceremony concluded with the traditional photo at the entrance of the Administration Building.

 | Fr. Boulos Wehbe Associate Director, SAO

 page 39 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

Sports Office News Sports Office Traditional Games in Korea

Students from Notre Dame University-Louaize took part in the 4th World Traditional Games, held at Busan in Korea from 26th September to 4th October. They were as follows: Ray Bassil, Rana Sebaaly, Rita al-Murr, Tony Samrani, Roderick Kassis, Edgar Ghanimeh and Paul Khoury, accompanied by Elie Boutros of the Sports Office.

Participants in the Games came from seventy-eight nations, bringing their various traditional games and dances. Prominent among these activities were the Lebanese debkeh and village contest presented by NDU. Students from NDU took part in all three previous Traditional Games, the Games being held every four years, the next time in 2012.

Our photographs show the NDU debkeh team in Lebanese costume and the NDU group led by Mr. Elie Butros.

 page 40 |  issue 44 Sports Office News 2008

2nd Asian University Games

The NDU basketball team, which represented the having lost in the final moments against Korea, which Lebanese universities, returned from the 2nd Asian won 74/72. George Badawi scored 21 points. University Games held in Taiwan 11th-16th October after having come fourth and having played six matches Iran beat Taiwan in the final 78/71, with Lebanese in seven days. The results were as follows: World Referee Fawzi Ashqouty in charge.

In the first match, NDU won 86/63 against Taiwan In fact most observers agreed that luck was out for the University, the latter team being formed from three Lebanese team, which suffered from partial refereeing, universities, the National and the Cultural, two as though it were the first time a private Lebanese categories. In the NDU team, the greatest number of university took part in this Asian sporting event. points was scored by Miguel Martinez with 12. At the closing ceremony, Father Beshara al-Khoury, head The second was played with the Korean Hanyang of the NDU participation, presented commemorative University, which won 73/69. The best score on the NDU shields to the Taiwan Minister of Sports, the Vice side was that of Marwan Ziadeh, 19 points. President of the Asian Federation and the Chairman of the Organising Committee. Our photograph shows the The third match opposed NDU to Gwandong University NDU basketball team. of China, the latter winning 82/70, and Marwan Ziadeh again scoring 19 points.

In the fourth game the Iranian University Selection beat the NDU team 78/67, with NDU player Rudy Farraj scoring 16 points.

NDU then beat Hong Kong University 95/67, with Marwan Ziadeh this time scoring 24 points. With this striking victory, NDU took the third and fourth places,

Social

Our photographer Mr. Abdo Bejjani desires to thank all those who showed their concern for him during and after his illness last summer. He wishes them all good health, happiness and joy during the Christmas festive season. Ed.

OBITUARY

The sad news of the untimely decease of NDU staff employee and former student Elias Kamal Akiki in July of 2008 came too late to be included in the summer issue of NDU Spirit. But we now extend our sympathy to his family and to his many friends. –Ed.

 page 41 |  issue 44  | Academic and Student Activities

Polish Cultural Contact

On Thursday November 6th, 2008, students of FAAD at North Lebanon Campus, with their instructors and the PR Office, took part in an art exhibition of Polish culture at the Safadi At the Safadi Foundation. Foundation. The Cultural Department of the Polish Embassy gave a brief outline of Polish culture.

Fr. Samir Ghsoub NOW at NLC

Following his appointment as Director of NDU North Lebanon, Father Samir Ghsoub paid a number of visits to prominent personalities in the region. He started with His Lordship Bishop George Abou Jaoudeh (Maronite), H.E. Mufti Malek El Shaar, and His Lordship Bishop Elias Korban (Orthodox). Our illustrations show Father Ghsoub and P.R. Director Edgard Harb at the Safadi Foundation and with Bishop Korban.

NLC Student Union

The Student Union election took place on Friday 14th November with the following results: Sophomore: Mr. George Chahda and Miss Stephanie Metri Junior: Mr. Antar el-Maarawi and Mr. Robert Antoun Senior: Mr. Semaan Frangieh and Mr. Andrew al-Bacha

They are seen in the accompanying photo. Fifteen NDU-NLC students took part in a workshop organized by UNESCO for North Lebanon University students entitled “Techniques for Sorting Out Differences Respecting the Opinions of Each Other” and held at St. Joseph’s North Campus. Our photo shows Mrs. Baasiri, UNESCO’s head manager, giving a certificate of participation to an NDU student.

 page 42 |  issue 44 GRE or GMAT A. Rihani

GRE or GMAT for MA/MS or MBA Admission?

 | Ameen A. Rihani NDU V.-P. for Academic Affairs

According to institutions  | Objective and philosophy The philosophy of GRE and GMAT is administering the Graduate More important than such comparisons based on knowledge challenge: how Record Examination (GRE), or is the standard both tests try to set for much the student knows, and how the Graduate Management students at the end of their substantial this knowledge is in Admission Test (GMAT), for undergraduate studies and at the vey comparison with the knowledge of students wishing to be beginning of their graduate programs. other students. This is the meaning of admitted respectively to Both GRE and GMAT tend to envisage the percentile in the score results MA/MS programs, or to MBA, the level of achievement expected in worldwide, and this is one of the the objective is to “predict graduate curricula. This is a tool to strong points of such exams. The success in graduate school.”1 examine the way of thinking students knowledge in this sense is directly The present debate centers on show at the beginning of the first year related to a self-explicit aptitude and the possible comparison of one of graduate studies. Yes, it demands problem-solving capability compared with the other, and eventual from students high skills of verbal with the aptitude and capability of substitution, since both have interpretation, measurable analysis, other competitors. similar objectives and both and critical written texts. include similar verbal  | Average scores and reasoning, quantitative What is each section all about? It is percentiles reasoning, and analytical significant to know, for example, that writing. Among the few the verbal reasoning requires students It is important to know the average technical differences is the to “analyze and evaluate written scores and percentages of these exams fact that GRE does not have a material and parts of sentence in order to better understand the total combined score for the structure, and to recognize accepted passing score. The average verbal and the quantitative relationships between words and score for verbal reasoning in the GRE is reasoning; they are used concepts.”2 For the quantitative 490; the average for quantitative separately for admission reasoning the student needs to solve reasoning is 680. If we want to purposes, whereas the GMAT problems in algebra and geometry in a combine both scores, as in the GMAT combined score is usually used quantitative setting. The analytical case, the predicted total score would for admission. writing requires from students the be 570. The percentage of students knowledge of how to “articulate scoring 570 is around 60%. This means complex ideas clearly and effectively that such an average is a barely with reasons and examples…and accepted score for admission. sustain a well-focused, coherent Universities with a history of high level discussion, in written English.”3 of achievement would consider this

 page 43 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

score as unacceptable. Universities beat it; or when a score of 630 falls at to develop the right attitude with a short history in GRE and GMAT the 84 percentile, it means that 16% the student may take the would consider a range of 550 to 575 of examinees may score better; or once following steps; this exam is a as the bare minimum for admission. a score of 570 falls at the 67 challenge. This means that percentile, it means that 33% of “learning how to match your A quick browsing around university examinees may score better; and when wits against the test makers websites would give the reader a clear a score of 500 falls at the 45 can be a very satisfying idea on the high level of accepted percentile, it means that 55% of experience, and the reading students, based on such scores, as an examinees may score better. and thinking skills you’ll admission requirement for graduate acquire will benefit you programs. It is interesting to know that  | Test Preparation in…your future career.”6 universities do not determine any more the accepted minimum score; they Usually the best time to prepare and sit Like a high GPA, the high rather move to the best results by for the SAT is during the last year of score in GRE or GMAT is the showing percentages of high scores of the high school. Similarly the best time student passport to graduate admitted applicants for graduate to prepare and sit for the GRE or GMAT studies. If this is a challenge it programs. is usually at the university senior year is worthwhile accepting it. If before graduation. The practice for it is an intellectual attitude it Examples of best universities in terms these tests usually starts at the junior is advisable to adhere to it. In of average GMAT scores: University of year when the student’s knowledge and both cases students engaged Chicago: 709; INSEAD: 685; Cornell: ability to grasp and comprehend is still in such exams will end up 670; Georgetown: 655; and the at its peak. The best plan for with a much more valuable University of Pittsburgh: 620. The completing this academic task is to graduate degree than those average GMAT score for class 2008 is prepare it in such a way as to get high without such educational 682. According to the Test Prep scores in one of these exams by the engagement. Institute “The prestigious business time a student graduates with the BA schools report that their students score or BS. A strong applicant for graduate 700 on the GMAT on average... State studies is the one who carries with him universities report an average GMAT a high GPA of 3/4 and above, together score of 550… In between those with a high GRE or GMAT score of extremes, scoring 650 on the GMAT 600/800 and above. 1. Educational Testing Services (ETS) will beat the average and make you a at: www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/ competitive candidate at most business The most effective way to practice the 2. Graduate Record Examination schools.”4 test is to use the computer-based (GRE) at: www.takethegre.com 3. Ibid. version. This practice is adaptive to the 4. GMAT Test Prep at: The percentile measure is a statistical student responses and interactive with www.testprep.about.com; and tool where a score, on a scale of one his abilities. In other words the Premium GMAT Preparation hundred, indicates whether a computerized test program “adjusts the Services at: www.800score.com 5. Martinson, Thomas H., GMAT CAT distribution of other scores is above or level of difficulty of questions until you (2003). New Jersey: Petersons below it. Examples: when a score of have provided all the answers…to Publishers, p. 5. 720 falls at the 97th percentile, it calculate your score.”5 These exams 6. Kaplan staff, GMAT 2004 (2003). New York, London: Simon & means that only three percent of require the student’s proper attitude Schuster, p. 225. students taking the same exam may and the appropriate approach. In order

 page 44 |  issue 44 Byron Sandra Bechara

Two papers at the Byron Conference (See under Academic and Student Activities, HUMANITIES)

 | Abstract by Sandra Bechara of her paper given at the Byron and the Sublime Self Byron Conference

This paper will discuss Lord Byron as a literary figure who two incidents are sea related: Byron’s sea storm experience experienced sublimity in his personal life only to share it and his swimming from Sestos to Abydos, both of which with his readers in his major works. Although Byron has a resonate with the drowning of Leila as they both outline noticeable penchant towards Schiller’s concept of the the fear of drowning and the fervent struggle to stay alive. sublime, traces of Longinus’s, Burke’s, and Kant’s theories As a conclusion, I will expose Byron’s sublime Self, which is are also noted in his works. To prove my point, I will both a creator and a seeker of the sublimity. Byron, I investigate four of Byron’s personal sublime experiences believe, is a unique personage of sublimity all by himself, a which correlate with sublime incidents in one of his personage representing the sublime Self. Oriental tales, The Giaour. I will refer to his true life experience of drinking from a skull and relate it to Hassan’s mortal demise. The second sublime experience comes from the potential attack of robbers while Byron was on his journey to Tepelene, when the dragoman fired off his Sandra Bechara pistols for fear of robbers and caused fear among the ones reading her accompanying him. This experience seems to resonate well paper. with the scene of the Giaour’s attack on Hassan. The final

 | Abstract by Byron’s Oriental Narrative Self Marina Mansour of her paper given at the Byron Conference

In his Oriental tales, Byron deviates tremendously from his paper, I claim that because Byron visited and participated Western poetic style to prove himself an Oriental writer. He in Eastern life in Greece and Turkey, he was capable of employs Eastern narrative forms, diction, and metaphor, all attaining a genuine vision of the East and of proving of which do not seem to be used just to be used; rather, himself to be an Eastern writer with an Oriental identity. they are used as properly and as normally as original I will discuss Byron’s Oriental narrative Self via an analysis Eastern writers do. This indicates clearly that Byron’s of his Eastern narrative style in the above-mentioned tales. Oriental narrative Self is best revealed in his Orient-related My purpose is not to disregard his Western British identity tales. His description of the Oriental settings and but to appreciate this part of his Self which is genuinely characters, the customs and costumes, and his use of Oriental. Eastern imagery are not only precise but also, in their minute details, convey to the Western reader the particular Oriental narrative skills that transport the reader to the real Orient. The Oriental frame-tale, metaphors, and phraseology which kept up with the original Eastern style provide the Eastern reader a feeling of Byron’s belonging to the East. This sense of belonging is clear in The Giaour, The Bride of Abydos, The Corsair, and The Siege of Corinth. In these tales, Byron feels at home though in a world different than his, because he not only understands the local colorings of Oriental life and culture but also enjoys exposing them to his Western audience. In this Marina Mansour reading her paper.

 page 45 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

Check Your English!

Stress: The verb stress takes a Convent: In French the word couvent is used for religious houses of men as well direct object, without as of women. In English the word convent is used only for communities of preposition. Only the noun is women. The most common word for a small monastery is priory, although friary followed by on. is also used for communities of Franciscans or Carmelites. The word nun is commonly used for members of all religious sisterhoods, not merely for Wrong: He stressed on the contemplatives, unlike the French word nonne. importance of hard work. Formal titles: For superiors of religious houses and canons (Latin Church), Very Correct: He stressed the Reverend Father… . For chorbishops and monsignori, Monsignor (Msgr. For short in importance of hard work. USA, Mgr. in UK, Commonwealth and European usage.) For bishops and abbots, His/Your Lordship, My Lord (as conversation continues, one usually says He laid stress on the Monsignor.) For Archbishops and Metropolitans, His/Your Grace. For cardinals, importance of hard work. His/Your Eminence. For patriarchs, His Beatitude. For the pope, His/Your Holiness.

Intervention: This word Closing comma for insertion: When one opens inverted commas or brackets, should not be used they must be closed. The same is true for commas in similar circumstances. indiscriminately to mean a speech or a talk. In this there Wrong: Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister has declared… is a difference between the English and the French usages. Correct: Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, has declared… It has the idea of some interruption or interference. Guilt: Popular perversions of Freudian psychology have made a bogey of guilt For example: as though it were man’s worst evil, a “complex” from which he should be freed. In fact guilt means responsibility for a sinful or criminal action. A The noisy demonstration in criminal is found guilty. But guilt is often confused with remorse, the feeling the street was broken up by of sorrow felt by an individual who realises the wrong he has done. the intervention of the riot When the Pope visited Australia recently, certain demonstrators seen on TV police. wore T-shirts bearing the slogan “No God, no guilt”. Obviously these people were atheists who thought that feelings of guilt were evil, so we had better The argument between the stop believing in God and his moral law and enjoy sexual freedom. But in this two speakers was brought to a world where acts of abominable cruelty are perpetrated, innocent victims stop by the intervention of the massacred as in former Yugoslavia and tortured in prisons, is there no guilt? chairman of the meeting, who Are the perpetrators free of all guilt? When sexual freedom means fatherless said political discussion was children out in the streets forming violent criminal gangs in the cities of the not allowed. West and when children are the victims of sexual deviants (perhaps themselves hapless victims of bad and irreligious upbringing) who torture and murder them, are the great religions wrong to insist on personal responsibility before God and Man?

 page 46 |  issue 44 Poetry Competition The poems are unedited, as received. – Ed.

NDU School Poetry Competition

Called to Life Wounds of a Patriot Heart  | Clara Dabaghi  | Jerry Ghazal Antonine Sisters School Notre Dame de Louaize

I was plunging into the deepest crevasses These are the words of a Lebanese boy Weighed down by my own filth Implanted in sadness, but masked by joy Wrenching terror twisting my shivering heart These are the words of an aching heart My soul atrophying, dissolving like smoke through wind Something so precious it must now depart… I was but a whisper through elusive screams It was a drab and gray morning, yet another heart- A quiet tear through raging streams breaking sky I was bloodless, faceless, voiceless, crying As I bitterly packed my suitcase, trying so hard not to Breathless, hopeless, strengthless, dying cry I was nothing to anyone, nothing at all I looked out from my window, images that will “Why hold on to anything? Let me just fall!” forever last A last glance at my childhood; a fleeting gaze at my I closed my eyes as I approached my doom past Preparing for my end that was coming soon And I stopped… It was time for me to go, to leave the places I held And everything stopped. dear As their endless memories faded away with my I felt myself hovering above the ground burning tear And I slowly descended till I got down A tear reflecting the words that were left unspoken: But what slowed me down? What saved me from "Why should every Lebanese boy live heartbroken?" myself? Who’s the One who loved me so much as to save me Will the distant happiness away from home be a lie? from Hell? And will I ever mean the true meaning of "goodbye"? Why can't big dreams come true in the land where I I looked around, in a vain attempt to see belong? I was surrounded by smoke, and a piercing light For the sting of the distance seems to be so strong! blinded me I cried questioningly, “Who are You? Why have You With a deceptive dream that our broken wings will set me free? heal Restore my sight. Show Yourself to me!” I wake up every morning to realize it's not real And as I get back to my reality, it seems Moments later, a finger softly caressed my sightless eyes That my perfect world exists only in my dreams And a voice answered: “I am the Father. Welcome home, my child.” I could feel the seconds race the beats of my heart With that, the past was gone, with all its anger, As the ending of an old chapter was beginning to faults, and lies start And I was free again, for He has heard my cries And as my hand liberated hers, I could feel her pain: "Take good care my son", she whispered again My Savior is burning fire on the wings of the wind A craving desire to Whom I praise and sing "Let them see what it means to be Lebanese I long to see His face; to rest in His mighty arms Let them see that our hearts hunger for peace Where He would hold me forever and protect me Show them how we consecrate what we believe from harm And give from our souls to reach and achieve From the domination of darkness into the light No distance or lapse of time will make you faraway From the weakness of the flesh to the Spirit’s might For the loved ones close to the heart will always That’s the point of redemption, that’s how I was set free stay", That’s the point of redemption, that’s meant for you Circumstances compelled me to leave my country and me But nothing could make my country leave me…

 page 47 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

Royal Misery  | Serine Abi Rached Jesus and Mary

Sleepless night full of hidden desires Forbidden dreams are what I aspire Death and murder love and lust Fame and fortune gained and lost Life of luxuries life of confusions Full of fantasies life of illusions Stuck in a whirlwind full of lies Prisoner of my own mind filled with cries Wrapped around these savaged things Once an angel now I’ve lost my wings Broken down torn apart Darkened shadows around my heart Weeping spirits troubled souls Fragile bridges broken walls Harsh pain buried so deep Seeking revenge is no longer sweet A whole lot of pleasure filled with guilt Feels like murder too well-built Pain and emptiness fill my heart Lethal wounds leaving me forever scarred Denial has finally found a way in my head Didn’t take time after all the tears I shed I am the girl with the missing soul The girl that can no longer feel I am the girl who has lost it all The girl in eternal sleep Never been so vulnerable never been so weak Never have I experienced a pain so deep Take me home where I belong Play full blast that depressing song My tears will fall, tears of regret All these things I try to forget Haunting me down they’re here to stay The life in me was taken away So hold me close and hold on tight Be the shadow that roams my night Look at me, look at my crown Look into my eyes and don’t look down My royal misery my royal pain My tears my poems they go in vain So take my hand and make me feel Be the only thing in my life that’s real

 page 48 |  issue 44 Soul, Animals and Man Dr. Alam See: Academic and Student Activities

Dr. Alam: The Soul, Animals and Man

The quest to know who we are the table; but here, too, even cannot be separated from the after the most enlightened quest to know who we were. and scientifically informed Not only is this true for the philosophers from both the human race as a whole, but empirical and rational also on the individual traditions have had their say, existential level. We all have a we are still dealing with what story of who we once were, will always be, perhaps, one of and the better we know and the greatest human mysteries: tell it, the more we can say the mystery of human origins. about who we are now. My But as great as the mystery is, personal past history and we are compelled to present identity form a unity, investigate it in the hope that (Google) which is necessarily related to we just might gain more the unity formed by the past insight into why, indeed, “we history and present identity of have become a question to the race as a whole. The ourselves,” and perhaps go on empirical narrative for the in this twenty-first century to latter is complex indeed, with live better lives than we did in paleontologists, the previous one. anthropologists, geologists, biologists and, most recently, The twentieth century, in fact, geneticists all in on the is a good place to begin the discussion. But no mere present investigation, since, in empirical narrative is able to addition to the two world capture all the depth of either wars, it will also be an individual life or of the life remembered for two great of the race as a whole. scientific revolutions, both of which are directly relevant to This is not to say that the the themes in this paper, rational accounts fare much namely the revolution in better. For more depth, physics that marks roughly the philosophers must be seated at first half of the century, and

 page 49 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

the revolution in genetics, Just as the revolution in physics however, and reflection deepens, the which marks roughly the immediately spawned superficial and tides are beginning to turn, and just as second half. Both have had hasty conclusions in philosophy, only with the revolution in physics, some of philosophical implications to be gradually overcome by more the really important insights began to ranging from the absurd and profound and thorough insights, such emerge, somewhat surprisingly, from the ugly to the profound and as the one that is reviving Aristotle’s the physicists themselves, and so too the beautiful. Not least among conception of matter as potency, the the deeper philosophical implications these implications with genetic revolution seems to be have begun to emerge from some of respect to the revolution in following a similar course. The the anthropologists themselves. Chief, physics, and weighing in on immediate and still dominant perhaps, among these bright the side of the profound and philosophical fallout usually revolves anthropological lights, comes the work the beautiful, is the new around one particular stunning fact, of René Girard, who brings to the insight into the nature of which was discovered in the early days discussion not only his expert matter. One crucial of the revolution, but confirmed and knowledge of Cultural Anthropology, philosophical result of this specified in an unprecedented way only but also his proficiency in the revolution is the revival of in 1997, namely, that 98.4 per cent of disciplines of Psychoanalysis, Literary Aristotle’s conception of the genetic material of chimpanzees is Criticism and Scriptural Exegesis. His matter as potency. And as no the same as the genetic material of transdisciplinary approach to the Aristotelian doctrine of matter human beings. We are genetically so mystery of human origins produces a can be accepted without also close, in fact, that some taxonomists rich and sophisticated linguistic appropriating, to some degree, justifiably speak of humans and apparatus that sheds light on, among his doctrine of form, the age- chimps, along with gorillas, as sibling other things, traditional Aristotelian old question of the soul is species. One superficial conclusion was accounts of the soul. In the light of the again back on the table—with predictable enough, as scientists and work of anthropologists such as Girard, only a few brave even philosophers hastily and and while mustering up support from anthropologists willing to take categorically excluded once and for all, philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein, it up. Thus enter the second so they thought, any talk of a human the present reflections probe the scientific revolution, which soul, or of any soul for that matter. Of nature of the new anthropological culminated towards the end of course, the attempt to preclude serious insights generated by the genetic the century when scientists discussions of soul and form from revolution and specify how these new specified the entire DNA philosophy has antecedents, going as scientific insights may be able to sequence for the virus phiX far back as the thirteenth century, with sustain a revival of Aristotelian 174 in 1980 and, of course, William of Ockham’s Nominalism; but accounts of form—analogous to the with teams of molecular armed with the new genetic facts, way the revolution in physics has so far biologists from the U.S. and some philosophers today, following sustained a revival of Aristotle’s Europe completing the first certain outspoken anthropologists, account of matter.” map of the entire human claim they now have hard evidence genome some twenty years that any discussion of soul or form is later. simply unscientific. As time passes,

 page 50 |  issue 44 Consumer... L. Hobeika

The Consumer: Society’s Top Priority  | By Professor Louis Hobeika

In the economics and business articles based on their preferences and rational for exclusive high-quality in the press and in academia, there behaviour. goods. After all, the consumer tends to be much more worry about is king and therefore Walmart business interests and needs than Contrary to what many people think, should either upgrade its about consumer rights and wants. The consumption is the most important services or it will have to financial element is important but element of GDP. After all, the business leave Japan. We all know the should never overshadow the greater community is also a consumer challenges that Carlos Ghosn role played by consumption in any community and therefore joins the faced when he tried to modern society. Clearly, business rank and file of the consumer society. introduce imported reforms in success is critical to any society’s We learned and then teach in business Nissan. He succeeded when he progress and development. Business schools that the consumer is king and really understood the society’s success is measured by value and therefore business energy and efforts interests, structures and profitability, which are needed for should be directed to satisfy his needs preferences and modified his continuity, expansion and development. and wants as the late J.K. Galbraith reform plan accordingly. A Business cannot however succeed if it said few decades ago. Henry Ford said business cannot succeed if it does not respect consumer rights and a century ago, “I love consumer rights doesn’t understand and satisfy preferences. as long as they buy a black Ford.” consumer needs, interests and Today, as the Ford motor company culture. Business models Through its financial means, the understood many decades ago, cannot always be imported or business sector tends to have a consumers deserve far more attention exported successfully. tremendous influence over any and respect. society’s choices. Advertising and Consumer lawyer Ralph Nader promotions are very important to the Businesses which are successful in one of Lebanese descent success of any modern press country may not prosper in other ones understood a few decades ago publication or information vehicle. because of the different consumer that no business can ignore Therefore, politicians and the media tastes and needs. For example, consumer rights. He legally tend sometimes to forget the Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, and publicly fought the giant “unknown soldier” or the average spent over one billion dollars in Japan General Motors when no body consumer who constitutes the basis of but its stores there are incapable of dared to criticize it. He any modern society. In Lebanon and overcoming consumer apathy and changed business mentality the Arab region, we tend unfortunately employee distrust. The Walmart model and forced it, through new to place more emphasis on business does not seem to work in Japan, where legislation introduced by US interests than on consumers’ choices consumers are willing to pay top prices Congress, to take care of

 page 51 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

consumer needs and rights. In the Arab institutions worldwide were able to region, we still need to introduce what reach 92 million clients as they applied America did over 40 years ago. We for their first loan. The spread of need to understand that the consumer microfinance enabled developing is king and therefore society’s countries to enlarge their consumption prosperity depends on the extent base and therefore contribute more to business respects the consumer. In the society’s prosperity. Microfinance Arab region, we need to create our remains without influence in Arab own Ralph Nader. economies especially in non-oil economies where poverty remains Respecting consumer rights is part of overwhelming. Microfinance enables respecting citizen’s rights and choices. the citizen to be independent, aware, To reach the stage of modern respect open and free, and therefore to request for consumers, we need to reform our everybody to respect his rights and electoral laws, allowing for the citizen wants. to speak up and choose. We need to develop consumer laws in Arab N.B. –Ed.: Doctor Hobeika keeps the societies to allow the consumer to sue name of NDU in the international business when it cheats the consumer media. The Business pages of The in quality, price, service or otherwise. International Herald Tribune carried We need to develop the consumer an article by Alistair Lyon (Reuters) culture which pushes the individual to titled “Harsh reminder for Mideast defend his own rights and force investors”, from which we quote the business to respect them. It is well following: – understood that no one will give consumers what they should have. It is “The Arab region is not yet fully up to them to request what they globalized,” said Louis Hobeika, an deserve from politicians, legislators and economics professor at Notre Dame business. It is no surprise that no University in Lebanon. “It represents no effective consumer groups have been more than 2.5 percent of the world formed in the Arab region. What we economy, from which it is still need first is public awareness and 0disconnected, except for oil.” strong lobbies to reach the desired rightful objectives. That disconnect might provide some protection from global upheaval, he Finally, microfinance was created by added. Mohammad Younes, Peace Nobel laureate, to allow citizens to enter the “However, during a period of recovery, official economy in producing and then we lose a lot because we don’t grow consuming. Democracy promotes with the rest of the world,” Hobeika liberty and therefore free choice in any said. society. Over 3000 microcredit

 page 52 |  issue 44 le Dollar... L. Hobeika

Qu’est ce qui fait bouger le Dollar?  | Par le Professeur Louis Hobeika

Les monnaies internationales ont été marchés financiers internationaux ainsi L’économie américaine souffre dernièrement très volatiles. La variation que pour toutes les économies aussi depuis plusieurs des taux de change entre le Dollar dollarisées comme celle du Liban. trimestres d’une croissance américain d’un côté et les autres lente spécialement dangereuse monnaies principales d’un autre côté Pourquoi le Dollar a-t-il chuté ces dans une année d’élection est suivie à tout instant par les agents dernières années, par exemple de la présidentielle. Pour faire face économiques, investisseurs et parité avec l’Euro à un taux de change à cette situation, le consommateurs. C’est un climat d’à peu près 1,6 Dollar pour un Euro ? gouvernement a rendu des général international non favorable à Les réponses sont bien liées à l’état de impôts aux citoyens dans l’investissement. La chute des santé de l’économie américaine, qui l’espoir qu’ils soient dépensés négociations commerciales appartenant souffre toujours d’un déficit double du pour stimuler l’économie. La au cycle de Doha de l’OMC a fortement budget et de la balance courante. Le Banque centrale indépendante contribué à ce climat d’incertitude. Si nouveau budget américain présente un a baissé les taux d’intérêt on y ajoute les conflits militaires et déficit de 485 milliards de Dollars, en jusqu'à l’ordre de 2%. Les politiques régionaux qui continuent à excluant les dépenses prévues sur l’Irak. Américains encaissant les nuire à la stabilité politique mondiale, Le déficit de la balance courante impôts ont décidé de les on comprend les éléments majeurs demeure de l’ordre de 6% du PIB, et il épargner ou de rembourser derrière les évolutions monétaires. est principalement dû au déficit des dettes antérieures, commercial. La baisse du dollar a rendant cette politique fiscale Le Dollar a fortement chuté ces stimulé les exportations américaines, sans effet. La politique dernières années pour reprendre un peu mais d’une manière insuffisante. Les monétaire favorable à la de souffle depuis des semaines. Qu’est Américains ont déjà acquis le goût des croissance a contribué à ce qui a changé pour que le Dollar produits importés, et la machine alimenter l’inflation et surtout s’améliore? Les raisons sont-elles industrielle américaine n’a pas su à pousser le Dollar vers une fondamentales ou simplement des s’adapter aux changements requis plus grande chute dans les corrections techniques ? Voit-on des surtout dans les domaines de marchés. changements permanents ou l’environnement et de la consommation temporaires dans les taux de change? pétrolière. C’est la raison pour laquelle L’Europe a été gênée par la Quelles sont les relations entre le l’industrie automobile connaît des politique monétaire Dollar et les prix des matières difficultés financières majeures malgré américaine aboutissant premières, surtout le pétrole ? Des la compétitivité supérieure des voitures indirectement à la hausse de questions importantes pour les provenant de Detroit. l’Euro et donc affectant

 page 53 |  issue 44  | Opinion and Culture

négativement les exportations et la résumer, la hausse du Dollar est croissance. Le Président Sarkozy s’est indirecte car elle est due à la faiblesse déclaré plusieurs fois insatisfait de la récente et nouvelle des autres politique du Gouverneur Jean Claude économies, y compris celle du Japon. Trichet. La Banque centrale européenne indépendante est restée passive quant A notre avis, le Dollar continuera à à l’évolution de l’Euro en espérant que s’améliorer pour les raisons indirectes l’économie américaine se redresse. La citées ci-dessus. Le prix du pétrole Banque centrale européenne n’a pas baissera à court terme mais reprendra fait bouger ces taux d’intérêt car elle sa hausse une fois l’économie ne savait pas quoi faire. En fait, une américaine reprendrait sa croissance hausse des taux aurait crée une vers la fin de 2008. Pour les économies récession et aurait renforcé l’Euro, et dollarisées, cette hausse du dollar une baisse aurait alimenté l’inflation améliore le pouvoir d’achat des qu’il est mandaté de combattre. Il est consommateurs mais pourrait nuire normal de penser qu’une baisse des aux exportations. Pour le Liban, qui a taux sur l’Euro aurait été souhaitée une économie principalement pour faire baisser l’Euro et ainsi importatrice, cette hausse modérée du empêcher l’influence négative des taux Dollar est une bonne nouvelle surtout de change sur les exportations. si elle dure. Finalement, la dernière évolution du Dollar permettrait aux La réalité est que l’économie investisseurs en titres dollarisés de américaine ne s’est pas redressée, mais garder leurs actifs et de ne pas s’en elle a montré d’un autre côté une débarrasser comme il s’est produit résistance formidable aux chocs durant les dernières années. L’économie extérieurs négatifs. Quant à l’Europe, mondiale converge maintenant, en fait, les économies principales qui souffrent vers l’équilibre qu’on espère continu et sont surtout celles de la France, de durable. l’Allemagne et de l’Espagne. La croissance économique britannique est Article écrit en fin d’été 2008. négative, expliquant ainsi la baisse du –Ed. – Google Sterling par rapport au Dollar. Pour

 page 54 |  issue 44 Bubbles W. Assaf

Bubbles

 | Dr. Walid Assaf

Mechanical engineers are very making water a more effective to add. Lots of bubbles give concerned with water use. The detergent. Regular Lebanese village the impression that a cleaner consumption of this very valuable home-made soap can work well. Like wash is in the making. resource can be a very costly affair. For any soap, it has a two-ended molecule. example: water-cooled air-conditioning One end attaches itself to the But bubbles are hard to get equipment is often replaced by air- undesired dish grease and the other rid of. Adding an cooled machines in arid regions at the remains soluble in water. Mechanical inappropriately large dose of cost of over sizing such machines by agitation enhances mixing of soap, soap to the wash will oblige 20% or more, thus increasing electrical grease and water molecules. The you to spend unnecessary time consumption. resulting miscible mixture of oil and trying to purge the soap from water is then carried away by rinsing. machine and floor. Water treatment, water transport and storage are an expensive business. Shortage in supplies of animal fats and Some people object to the use oils that were used in soap-making of “local” home-made, olive A faucet supplying rinsing water with caused their replacement by chemicals oil-based soap. Yes, it can abandon costs a lot more than first from the hydrocarbon industry. cause undesirable deposits of meets the eye. bath water rings especially in Effective advertising for all kinds of areas where the water Is the marvelous automatic dishwasher surfactants promoted large markets for contains too many minerals the means for conservation of water these detergents. Manufacturers (hard water). Some claim that and energy? Probably it is not. increased the addition of extra sudzing it is rough on bare hands. But and bubbling agents. Wash basins these objections have easy No one is suggesting a return to stone- became filled with froth. This became a solutions too numerous to list age methods in domestic use of water. sign of “product superiority and here. However, judicious use of soap and excellence”. water is unavoidable. Bubbles can be avoided too. It is not unusual to watch the user add Lower the temperature of the Any liquid including water is a a generous amount of a detergent to a wash if you don’t mind cold detergent that can carry away clothes washer or kitchen sink. Bubbles hands and use less detergent! undesired dirt and grime. The trick is in are now a measure of how much soap

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Yoga and Martial Arts  | K.J. Mortimer 3rd Dan Judo, 2nd Dan Japan Karate Federation (and 4th Dan Honorary, from Yotaka Yaguchi, 9th Dan)

The true martial arts are forms Ueshiba Merihei, founder of Aikido, Council Vatican II declared: of physical, mental, most refined and subtle of the martial psychological and moral arts, was a nature mystic who declared “Religions, however, that are bound up education based on the arts of that Aikido was a way of love. M. with an advanced culture have war. Unfortunately, since Judo Nakayama, who made Shotokan Karate struggled to answer the same entered the Olympic Games, known worldwide, wrote, “If Karate is questions by means of more refined they have largely degenerated practised solely as a fighting technique, concepts and more developed in the West into simple this is cause for regret. The language. Thus in Hinduism, men competitive sports, the aim fundamental techniques have been contemplate the divine mystery and being to overcome all developed and perfected through long express it through an inexhaustible opponents and win gold years of study and practice, but to abundance of myths and through medals. This is in clear make any effective use of these searching philosophical inquiry. They opposition to the teaching of techniques, the spiritual aspects of this seek freedom from the anguish of our all the great Japanese masters, art of self-defence must be recognised human condition either through who insist on conquest of and play the predominant role... ascetical practices or profound oneself, not of others. Dr. Deciding who is the winner and who is meditation or a flight to God with love Jigoro Kano, intellectual and the loser is not the ultimate objective... and trust. Again, Buddhism, in its educationalist who played a Karate-do? is a martial art for the various forms, realizes the insufficiency leading role in the foundation development of character through of this changeable world; it teaches a of the modern Japanese training...” (Best Karate, M. Nakayama, way by which men, in a devout and university system, adapted the Kodansha International). confident spirit, may be able either to old Jujitsu to create Judo, the acquire the state of perfect liberation, most widely practised of the Understanding of the martial arts or attain, either by their own efforts or martial arts. Shortly before his comes only with practice, and elderly through higher help, supreme death he wrote his famous Japanese who have devoted a lifetime illumination.” Last Testament: “Judo is the to any one of them still consider way to use most efficiently themselves to be learning. However, It is of interest to follow the evolution one’s mental and physical some idea of their background may of the Eastern disciplines particularly strength. By training, one interest anyone who considers because Western spirituality has never should discipline and cultivate embarking on such a Way. There is used psycho-physiological means as a one’s body and spirit through even a religious point that one may groundwork for spiritual progress, practice of the techniques of consider. Obviously a person who has a beyond perhaps the used of breathing offence and defence, thereby strong, well-balanced character, with in the Hesychast asceticism of St. to master the essence of this power of self-control, who can better Gregory Palamas, the Prayer of Jesus. Way. And, by dint of these clear his mind of distraction, will be We must start in Ancient India, before means, it is the ultimate goal able to lead a deeper spiritual life. Far even the Aryan invasions of the mid- of Judo to build oneself up to from condemning the traditional second millennium B.C.. Yoga is a very perfection and to serve the Eastern forms of spirituality and wide general term to describe Indian world.” asceticism, in NOSTRA AETATE the schools of wisdom and may include

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such practices as Bakhti Yoga, the inflated. As any swimmer will know, provided no answer, but he Yoga of piety and prayer, and even the effort comes with breathing out. In finally concluded that the Tantric Yoga with its dubious magic. this way, one remains relaxed when cause of suffering was desire. Here we use it in the more usual engaged in physical activity such as Out of compassion for limited sense of Hatha Yoga, fighting, the effort coming only at the mankind he then set out on a techniques of control of self, now used decisive moment of a punch, kick or life of itinerant preaching, everywhere scientifically and medically, throw. Fatigue is avoided. Yoga teaching that desire must be for example by Russian cosmonauts. techniques can easily be practised at cast aside, and founding an home, even while studying or praying. order of monks to put this aim From the Indus to Japan, the The cross-legged Lotus position cuts into practice. Note that underlying idea of the training is the off blood to the lower parts of the Buddhism can hardly be unity of body and soul. This of course is body the better to irrigate the brain, so considered a religion in the also basic to the philosophy of Aristotle helping concentration. The relaxing usual sense as it makes no and of the medieval scholastic techniques before sleep are of great reference to God; Christian theologians such as St. Thomas help against insomnia. In bed one may Humphreys, Old Bailey judge Aquinas and is implicit in St. Paul’s also concentrate one’s attention on and the leading British teaching of Christ’s resurrection as a one’s feet, one’s knees, and so on up to authority on Buddhism, paints promise of our own bodily resurrection. the brain, the parts left behind seeming an atheist picture of Without going into detail, we point out to no longer exist. Then one wakes up Buddhism in his classic but two basic elements of Yoga. The next morning! rather uncritical book various positions taken in succession Buddhism (Penguin stretch opposing muscles to induce a Five centuries before Christ there lived Publications), and insisted on state of physical relaxation in Northern India the prince Siddhartha this atheism in a personal immediately followed on the principle Gotama, also known as Sakyamuni, and letter to me after I had raised of body-soul unity by mental later as the Buddha or Enlightened. His the question. relaxation. Secondly, one breathes in father tried to confine him in the by relaxing the muscles of the palace to lead an idyllic life of Buddhist monks used to be abdominal wall so that the intestines pleasure, not allowing him to know derided in the West, but this fall by their own weight. This drags about the sorrows of mankind. But one is no longer the case. The down the diaphragm and with it the day he escaped, only to be shocked by Dalai Lama and his retinue lungs, so they are filled to their depths the sight of a decrepit old man, a sick have made a deep impression, by new air. One sees the error of man and a dead man. After receiving even in Vatican circles. The people who contract their abdomen an explanation from his servant famous Cistercian spiritual when asked to breathe deeply, as companion, he decided to find how to writer Thomas Merton stayed though a balloon were smaller when end suffering. Extreme asceticism and studied with monks of the Theraveda school in Thailand, where incidentally he was accidentally electrocuted Yutaka Yaguchi, Vice-Chief while trying to mend a fitting Instructor ISKF/JKA and author K.J. Mortimer in one of the monasteries. In between Japanese Embassy Way of Zen, page 185, Tenshin Second Secretaries Daisuke Fletcher and David Scott Okabayashi (Cultural mention Jesuit priests who Attaché) and Hidehiko Asai, at closing dinner after the have studied with Zen masters 2008 Training Seminar. and even become certified

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teachers themselves. search for Enlightenment demanded. are obvious and down-to-earth if only These also served as a form of defence one can strip one’s mind of The way that desire can be an for his peregrinating disciples on the conventional ways of thinking. The Zen obstacle to the achievement roads. Through this strangely violent master Chao-chou reached Awakening of its own aims may be seen ascetic, Buddhism came into contact or Enlightenment after a conversation in simple examples. It is the with the Chinese philosophy of the Tao. with Nan-ch’uan in which the effort to go to sleep that Lao-tsu had reacted against the following exchange took place: prevents one falling asleep. It ceremonial formalism of Confucius, is the effort to be holy that intended to provide a stable and Chao-chou: “What is the Tao?” prevents many “pious” but humanitarian society, by affirming that neurotic people, including actions were good only if their source Nan-ch’uan: “Your ordinary (i.e. monks and nuns, from were pure. He insisted on harmony natural) mind is the Tao.” becoming holy, as holiness with Nature and with one’s own means forgetting oneself, not particular nature, according to which The most impressive example of Zen- thinking about oneself. But one should act spontaneously. Perhaps inspired culture in China is perhaps the there is a contradiction to be surprisingly, this Way of the Tao painting of the early medieval Sung unravelled. How can one lose produced men capable of facing dynasty. After long communion with desire without having the sadistic rulers and upbraiding them for Nature, using supple brushes on wet intention to lose desire? their cruelty – and walking out alive! silk, the artist would in only a few However, there is an answer. The conjunction of the new Buddhist minutes give a vivid rendering of reeds Way and the Tao resulted in the in the wind by a lake or of some bird About five hundred A.D. a practice known as Zen, where and animal, with a wonderful quality semi-legendary Indian Enlightenment came with the discovery of life. But it is through Japan that the Buddhist monk known as of one’s true nature. Zen culture is best known, through Bodhidharma crossed the buildings, gardens and even cooking for Himalayas into China, where This Way of self-discovery excluded all example, always with extreme Buddhism had found little appeal to spirits and supernatural simplicity giving the most exquisite fertile soil as the forces, even if it sometimes used the and refined effect. Above all it is best contemplative tradition of religious and cultural vocabulary of the known through the martial arts, among India accorded ill with the ambient civilisation, much as Roman them Kendo (Way of the Sword), Kyudo Chinese work ethic. He gods and goddesses were used in (Way of the Bow, Archery) and the despised intellectual Western Christian society even at its “empty-handed” arts such as Judo, speculation and developed most religious. Confusion is caused in Karate-do and Aikido. physical exercises to the West by talk of the “mysteries” of strengthen his body for the the East, particularly by fraudulent In old feudal Japan, the samurai intense effort that his form of promoters of supposedly oriental cults. warrior had to kill with one stroke or But demystification is precisely one of be killed. He had to face instant death the aims of Zen, particularly of its with calm composure. So Zen as a form famous koan or riddles, whose answers of mental training based on direct experience rather than speculation Zen painting appealed to the military elite. Their life captures life in a few shaded lines. Google was beautiful but short, like the cherry blossom. In 1600 the victory of the Tokugawa clan, destined to produce a Zen garden with line of shoguns lasting until the Meiji water and fish, source of inspiration. Google restoration in 1860, brought internal peace. With the end of constant

 page 58 |  issue 44 Yoga K.J. Mortimer feuding, it was thought that the The strength of water lies in its of an hour. samurai should be versed not only in potentiality. So it is that in sparring or the arts of war but also in those of in contest in Judo or Karate one should Aikido was founded by Master peace, such as literature, history, be like water, calm, supple, relaxed and Ueshiba Morihei, born in poetry and painting. This tradition with peripheral – not concentrated – 1883. Deeply versed in the continues in the martial arts. The vision, so that one can be aware of martial arts and the Japanese masters are men of culture attack coming from any angle before traditional philosophy, he and refinement. For example, Teryuki giving way and then closing in. If one found that perfection of mind Okasaki, 9th Dan, chief instructor of the is upright one can move in any and body and harmony with International Shotokan Karate direction, make any counter. This Nature were to be sought by Federation of the Japan Karate applies the principle of medieval training and practice. Aikido Association, my own examiner for the Thomist philosophy, the less the act has swift flowing movements black belts, is a master calligrapher, the greater the potentiality (one that end in arm- or wrist- calligrapher being a supreme art in thousand million years ago, a one- locks for control and enforcing Chinese and Japanese culture. celled primitive organism had the submission, with decisive potentiality to evolve into a giraffe or a blows or atemi possible in The Zen spirit came to be developed sparrow; but once evolved into a cases of real danger from particularly in the art of the sword, giraffe it could no long become a aggressors. But Aikido still refined by the introduction of sparrow.) excludes competition as composite bamboo swords for training incompatible with its aim of purposes. It was realised that the This explains why Doctor Jigaro Kano cultivating love and despite samurai should know no hate, and called his art adapted from the old this veto it is rapidly gaining never search for a quarrel or occasion Jujitsu techniques of unarmed combat ground in Lebanon. to kill. In the case of enforced conflict Judo, the Supple Way. Its popularity one should be at peace with oneself, came from its use of sporting We hope to have removed any knowing only love (some of the bravest competition. Unfortunately, instead of misconceptions about Yoga samurai were converts of the Jesuit being above all a test of mental and the martial arts that may missionaries), then one is the mirror of strength, Judo competition, once exist in the reader’s mind. For the opponent’s thoughts like the calm practised mainly as tsuginamishiai, has further reading we suggest waters of a lake, which give way and evolved into an Olympic championship The Way of Zen, Alan W. close in behind a blow. How wrong is sport, dominating what was intended Watts (a scholar not himself the common perception of the martial as a means of character formation for engaged), Penguin Books; arts as provoking violence and everybody. This explains why Koizumi particularly Way of Zen by aggression! As illustration, in Karate in London, first to found a club outside Tenshin Fletcher and David every series of movements in a kata Japan, committed suicide. It was only Scott, Vega publishers, begins with a defensive parry, never with extreme reluctance that Gichin London; The Spirit of Aikido, with a punch or a kick. Funakoshi, founder of the Japan Karate Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son of Association, came to accept the founder), Kodansha competition, and in Aikido and Kempo International; Karate (final Meditating in a Zen temple garden. Google it does not exist at all. Although there chapters), R. Habersetzer, Éd. is now competition, the instructors of Marabout (French); Palma, the J.K.A. insist first and foremost on Issue 3, Vol. 2, 1 – 1994, NDU discipline and character, so at a class Publications, The Ascending or a demonstration one may see a line Way, K.J. Mortimer. of Lebanese children as young as six years old seated on their heels without moving or saying a word for a quarter

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G.K. Chesterton, 1874-1936  | K.J. Mortimer

The second half of the 19th The æsthetic movement had passed becoming a Liberal Party Member of century saw public education under a cloud when the portals of Parliament. All were certainly anti- in Britain and a new class of Reading Gaol closed on Oscar Wilde, its Establishment and enjoyed poking fun readers ready to absorb the most colourful exponent. Unfortunately at convention. Chesterton suffered work of a new set of writers he had failed to draw a line between public opprobrium and was accused of ready to provide them with a witty aphorisms and real life, putting lack of patriotism for his opposition to literature no longer intended into practice his remark that the only the war against the Boers in South only for the upper levels of way to end temptation was to give Africa. But he saw imperialism as society. Certainly the most way to it. But popular writing still bore precisely the opposite of patriotism or lovable of these authors was the imprint of good style and of nationalism. Gilbert Keith Chesterton, born concise wit. Chesterton wrote some in the Camden Hill suburb of outstanding literary criticism, for “The annexation of the Transvaal was a London. His literary talent example of Robert Browning and crime committed against the European appeared when still in his Charles Dickens, which according to his virtue of patriotism. For a man has early ‘teens he launched and own principles was, as it should be, clearly no more right to say that his edited a school magazine. itself fine literary art. British patriotism obliges him to destroy However he was also gifted the Boer nation than he has to say that for drawing, so his parents The American-born painter Whistler his sense of the sanctity of marriage sent him to study at the Slade had learnt from Degas in France the makes him run away with his School of Art, while he also habit of cruel wit and introduced it neighbour’s wife.” And: “A thing like the studied Literature at London into British society. Chesterton was British Empire, which contains University. In fact he supremely witty but never cruel. In Dutchmen and Negroes and Chinamen illustrated some of his own controversy he cut deep but was in Hong Kong, may be a perfectly novels and some of those of always kind. Wilde’s paradoxes were legitimate object of a certain kind of Hilaire Belloc. intentionally shocking but shallow; intellectual esteem, but it is ludicrous to Chesterton, the real master of paradox, call it patriotism or invoke the ancient In 1901, Chesterton married used it to reveal truth, truth that had deities of the hearth and the river and Frances Blogg, a devoted wife often been so taken for granted that the hill.” (Lea, pp. 78, 79, see footnote who despairing of making his nobody was prepared to answer its 2) This was indeed prophetic at a time genial bulk look smart in top attackers. when nobody could imagine the hat and tails found for him an transformation of the colonies into attire that added to the Chesterton and his associates were independent nations. romance of his personality. Liberals, Hilaire Belloc for example

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(Google)

Chesterton stood for patriotism on the patriotism appear in a fantastic form in age, he saw capitalism as the small human scale. Treaties about the his novel The Napoleon of Notting Hill. enemy, not the defender, of zones of influence of great powers For Chesterton, the advantage of private property, because it so received some of his sharpest having a king was that a king was an easily developed into comment. “We have reached in the ordinary person, brought to his position monopoly. He saw the modern world a condition of such by chance of birth and not by blind contradictions of capitalism as appalling unreality that everything is and unscrupulous political ambition, in clearly as any Marxist. While done on paper. Men know the destiny of fact kingship could be truly democratic. wanting to keep the wages of countries when they have never met a So in this book he imagines a king his workers as low as possible, native, and profess love and hatred for chosen at random out of a directory, the capitalist was thereby men whom, if they saw them in the but in this particular case the choice depriving them of the power street, they could not tell from Poles or falling on one with a mad sense of to purchase his goods. Portuguese ... we must at all costs get humour. This leads to all the suburbs of back to smaller political entities, London no longer parts of a vast, grey, Throughout his earlier career, because we must at all costs get back monotonous city sprawl but suddenly Chesterton was moving to reality. We must get nearer and resplendent each with its medieval towards Catholicism, being nearer again to love and hate and chivalry, heraldry and pompous titles formally received into the mother-wit, to personal judgements and finally at war with its neighbour Church in 1922 by Father and the truth in the faces of men.” (Lea, for reasons of local pride. O’Connor, the model for the pp. 79, 80) If Chesterton had been alive detective priest in The today his remarks about globalisation But to accuse Chesterton of blind love Innocence of Father Brown. In would certainly have been scathing. of the Middle Ages was unfair. He Heresies he saw various But he would no doubt have knew their faults but considered their aberrant doctrines as over- thoroughly sympathised with such re- faults to be human ones, which would stressing just one aspect of emerging nationalisms, safeguarded by have allowed for the development of orthodox Christianity in a the European Union, as Scottish, something better. Like Belloc, Sir search for over-simplification. Welsh, Breton and Catalan. Arnold Lunn and Eric Gill, founder of a Old-fashioned Protestantism community of Christian artists, his had excessively spiritualised His stand in the Boer War did not political philosophy was Distributism, Christianity, condemning the mean he was a pacifist and his love of which meant small-scale ownership as material world as totally his own country made him support the far as was possible of the means of corrupted by sin and 1914 war against what he saw as production and marketing. Against the promoting the Puritan attitude Prussian militarism. His ideals of local doctrine of the industrialising Victorian to sex, despite St. Paul’s

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teaching on the spiritual popular philosophers such as H.G. exist outside the mind, or in the meaning of marriage. It was Wells. But Chesterton had in fact a absence of the mind ... Note how this of course reaction to this powerful and penetrating intellect, and attitude avoids both pitfalls; the attitude, and to Victorian it is unfortunate that the penetrating alternative abysses of impotence. The severity towards children, that humour that made his output mind is not merely receptive, in the lead to the popular and often enjoyable and his thought clearly sense that it absorbs sensations like so vitriolic atheism of writers understandable was the very element much blotting paper; on that sort of such as H.G. Wells. Puritanism that prevented many from taking him softness has been based all that was scourged by the “Chester- seriously. He once explained why two cowardly materialism which conceives Belloc” company, lovers of of his most famous books were man as wholly servile to his good food, good beer and biographies of Francis of Assisi and environment. On the other hand, the good wine, with hearty, Thomas Aquinas, not of St. Francis and mind is not purely creative, in the sense boisterous, good-natured the other contemporary founder of an that it paints pictures on the windows Chesterton outstanding order of mendicant friars, St. Dominic. and mistakes them for the landscape among them: He saw in both these men a vision of outside. But the mind is active, and its the sanctity and inseparability of both activity consists in following, so far as Wherever the Catholic sun the spiritual and the material in this the will chooses to follow, the light doth shine, world. Following Aristotle, St. Thomas outside that does really shine upon real There’s always laughter and saw that sensations such as colour and landscapes ... In other words, the good red wine. sound are things created in the image- essence of the Thomist common sense is At least I’ve always found it forming brain under the influence of that that two agencies are at work; so, external impulses such as light and reality and the recognition of reality; Benedicamus Domino!1 vibration, and that from them the mind and their meeting is a sort of marriage. forms its ideas of the outside world. (Lea, pp. 13,14) In Orthodoxy, Chesterton They do not exist as such in the object, reveals that in Christian to be transferred mechanically to the One feels that Chesterton’s rational orthodoxy and traditional brain. Chesterton’s time was one of objection to philosophies that made common sense there is great contradictory philosophies, some being the external world a product of one’s adventure. They are not purely materialist and others own mind and imagination was a repositories of staid, stodgy considering the world as an illusion of matter of real emotional concern to and outdated thinking. the mind. Thomas Aquinas had struck him. In fact in his autobiography he Chesterton saw in Christian the correct balance. talks of a “mood of unreality and orthodoxy as represented by sterile isolation” that affected him the Catholic Church a balance “According to Aquinas the object under the influence of those nihilist between complementary becomes a part of the mind; nay, philosophies. Gabriel Gale in The Poet elements. It considered neither according to Aquinas the mind actually and the Lunatics says, “I also dreamed matter nor the mind as the becomes the object. But, as one that I had dreamed of the whole sole reality. It was easy to commentator acutely puts it, it only creation. I had given myself the stars for poke fun at the childish becomes the object and does not create a gift; I had handed myself the sun and attacks against Christianity of the object; it (the object) can and does moon. I had been behind and at the

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beginning of all things; and without me extinction as an end, a nihilist commonplace individuals nothing was made that was made. philosophy of despair. It seems that he having names such as Bernard Anybody who has been in that centre of did not realise that Buddhism was as Shaw and H.G. Wells. the cosmos knows that it is to be in vast and varied as the whole of hell.”2 (Lea, p. 12) Western thought and that its Time has somewhat deflated vocabulary must be understood not in the reputation of H.G. Wells. It The invitation to wonder with a sense translation but in its native context. In would be hard to find anyone of adventure at real and ordinary his time, Eastern thought was still too who believes in Bernard things appears again in the discussion exotic, occult and surrounded with Shaw’s Life Force – between poets in the opening chapter mystery. of The Man Who Was Thursday, perhaps The Life Force afflicted with the most weird, mystical and deeply Chesterton was outstanding in a time doubt religious novel ever written. In the of great and witty controversialists and As to what it was bringing descriptions of the commonplaces of debaters but despite their opposition about London under the vivid effect of street there existed among them a certain Cried, “Alas, I am blind, lamps and moonlight one feels that camaraderie, particularly when they But I’m making a mind, rationality does not suffice to conquer came up against the Establishment. Which may possibly puzzle it the fear of unreality. For anyone Chesterton, who despite his work as out.” brought up in the foggy gloom of old editor and his literary outpouring was industrial England, and not by sunny by no means well off, was once sued in But Chesterton still reassures Mediterranean shores, it is easy to court for damages by a man with the us of the value of Christianity, understand this mood of doubt warring same quite common name as a minor orthodoxy and common sense with reason. character in one of Chesterton’s while intriguing us with stories. The court decided in favour of mystery and making us laugh. Here perhaps lies Chesterton’s dislike the plaintiff. Chesterton then obtained of Buddhism, which was understood by permission from his famous adversary him to treat the world as illusion and friends to publish a story abounding to offer no more than personal with doorkeepers and other

1. In 1937 I spent a holiday on a farm just inside the Welsh border. In those days Wales was still strongly Noncomformist, that is to say most people belonged to strict Protestant groups independent of the Anglican Church. On Sunday nights I saw large groups of local Welsh country people trekking miles on foot to the English side of the border, where pubs were allowed to sell beer on Sundays. K.J.M. 2. For the citations in italics I have drawn on The Wild Knight of Battersea by F.A. Lea, series Modern Christian Revolutionaries, James Clarke & Co. Ltd., London EC4.

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Astronomy Club

 | Joe Chamma, NDU Astronomy Club November 2008

Inspired by Dr Roger Hajjar, the Ten years have now passed since then on the Moon, the polar caps on the NDU Astronomy Club was and the club has grown among its planet Mars and the clouds and formed back in November community. Many events have taken satellites on the planet Jupiter, as well 1998. As one of the first place and many members joined in and as the wonderful rings of the planet members to join the club, I was had their share of the fun. Seeing the Saturn, the changing angles of which eager and enthusiastic about club develop through time, and gaining are clearly noticeable if followed from the future events and activities strength each year, gave the members year to year. These are just a few of of the club. When I met Dr a huge boost of confidence. Most of the brilliant features of our Solar Hajjar while recruiting in the our Star Parties are done in Oyoun El System. Members and the public alike club, he told me not to get Simane and in Faraya. We usually visit enjoy the wonderful sights and confused between Astronomy other locations to change positions remember the moments for years to and Astrology. I replied and locally. come. said that I knew the difference between them and that I Jogging down memory lane, our major Various events have been followed by wouldn't have joined if it was event that I remember and probably club members, such as total lunar Astrology! the most unforgettable was our trip for eclipses, meteor showers and transits the August 11, 1999 Total Solar of planets Mercury and Venus, as well Eclipse. The experience of the event as the progress of the planets from was simply breathtaking. The NDU night to night across the sky. Not long group was the only group from ago, the NDU Astronomy Club joined Lebanon to visit a neighbouring forces with various Astronomy Clubs country for the amazing spectacle. We from universities across the country. had a great time preparing for the This group was called 'Lebanese event and evaluating the phenomenon. Astronomy Group (LAG)'. This group has The only drawback was the lack of since been forming up for several proper information given by the media public events, notably during to the Lebanese people, which resulted International Astronomy Days. in many thinking themselves forced to stay indoors for the event. The NDU Astronomy Club has a tradition during summer of spending a Observing celestial objects in the night weekend in Jezzine. This is usually done sky opens one’s eyes to the universe. before the new academic year. Old and Many people, including even new new members in the club always enjoy members, still get amazed when the trip to Jezzine because it is observing the craters and mountains considered as an agreeable vacation

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after a busy year of University enthusiasts join the club and expand Astronomy Club postpones the activities and events. NDU Astronomy their ideas to develop the image of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Club has also hosted several club. Old alumni students and members our next scheduled 'Astronomy Summer Schools' on are usually present to help out the new Anniversary will be held in campus. members. Many previous members are 2013, when the club will now abroad and still have certain celebrate 15 years. Astronomy at NDU has gone a step contacts with the club. further. With NDU'S new Meade All in all, I see the future for telescope, it has given us an We the members are supposed to be the NDU Astronomy Club is opportunity to observe the night sky preparing and organizing a 10th bright as long as the members using a spectrograph for scientific Anniversary Gala but things are not stay motivated. As NDU is the research. Groups of amateurs come and going to plan. With so many events for center point for spreading help out with the research. As a result the club in minds, the members have astronomy over the country, it of observations involving spectroscopy, put the celebrations on hold due to the is of great interest to the amateurs have gained experience International Year of Astronomy taking introduce the wonders of the with advanced astronomy. Who would place in 2009. Further, we have our night sky to the public and to have thought that the NDU Astronomy continuous observational evenings in maintain future relations with club would reach this far? spectroscopy, as well as several Site International Astronomy Clubs Testing Camps to be set up in various across the world and to The future of the NDU Astronomy Club, locations across Lebanon to find a improve relations with our and even of astronomy in Lebanon, more suitable location to build a local surroundings. looks promising as each year Observatory. Provided that the NDU

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Summer Camp 2007 in Chabrouh  | Joe Chamma

When I was first asked to help introduction to the work of the week During the week, each volunteer had to in a camp for handicapped ahead, and met each other for the first be near his/her Boy. During breakfast, people, I had mixed feelings time, each volunteer was assigned a lunch and dinner, those that were about it. I didn’t know what to boy to look after and entertain unable to feed themselves were fed by expect or how I could handle throughout the week. The volunteers the volunteers. Those that were able to the situations that would were now waiting for the boys’ arrival feed themselves had the option of arise. In the end, I found my at Chabrouh. The Germans referred to being aided by the volunteer. In fears were groundless. The all the handicapped simply as Boys. between meals, we the volunteers did work turned out to be easier our best to create games and than I had thought and more The Handicapped Boys come from Deir entertainment for the Boys so that fun. El Salib. When people hear the word they would not be bored and could Deir El Salib, they start getting have a great time. We had two camps in different ideas about what to expect, Chabrouh in August 2007, especially those doing it for the first I had to leave the camp for a few days each a week long. For me the time. Upon arrival, all the volunteers due to work, but returned to Chabrouh first week was more of an were cheering and hugging the Boys. I later in the week. Some volunteers had introduction. I met a happy wondered, was it that easy? Apparently to stay up late for night duty with the and joyful German team. That they were quite a pleasant bunch and Boys. That was when we made that gave me a little confidence. It were really looking forward to their sure the Boys were asleep and didn’t was my first experience in a outing in Chabrouh. wake up making a noise while everyone camp with handicapped was asleep and disturb the other Boys. individuals. I was nervous at The Boy I was to be caring for came the start, thinking of how I out of the bus last because he used a As the week drew to an end, and the would be seeing new faces wheelchair and couldn’t walk on his Boys got ready to return to Deir El and making new friends, both own, so he needed driving around. My Salib, so the volunteers tried to make a normal and handicapped. Boy liked to smoke and had a special special celebration for the Boys. On spot in Chabrouh where he liked to their last night, we all gathered The German team were from stay the whole day, alone around the around, volunteers and Boys, to make a the Order of Malta. The first trees that grew nearby. The hardest campfire and sing songs. Some Boys time I heard of the Order, I thing about my Boy was taking him to knew that whenever there was a grew interested in discovering the toilet. He needed help for taking a campfire they would soon be returning more about the organization. shower and for everything else! home. When the Boys leave, it is usual After we had all got a brief for many volunteers and Boys to get

 page 66 |  issue 44 Summer Camp Joe Chamma

emotional. So some boys wanted to 5 p.m.. The volunteers also attended previous two weeks. The next refuse to go back to Deir El Salib, but morning and evening Masses daily day, we all went swimming in in the end they had no choice. during the week. Daily meals were the South of Lebanon, and usually breakfast, lunch and dinner. had an enjoyable time at a After the Boy’s departure, the Games and entertainment were friend’s Pub the same evening volunteers cleaned up the place before arranged during the day. Each day had in downtown Beirut. the arrival of new Boys for the second its own programme for the Boys to be week. But at least the volunteers got a fully occupied. All in all, my first few days’ rest before the second week. acquaintance with the During the rest period of about two As the second week came to an end, Germans and especially the days, the volunteers were taken out to the volunteers made a campfire for the handicapped was a wonderful dinner at a huge mansion. The Boys, and sang songs while sitting experience. We all had our fun following day, we all went for a swim around the blaze. The Boys’ departure together with the Boys. I and had a great day relaxing. for Deir El Salib was as usual emotional learnt a lot more from the for both, the Boys and some volunteers. handicapped Boys, than the I wasn’t present at the start of the Some Boys refused to get on the bus, volunteers. I discovered that second week when Boys came for but were finally persuaded and were on the gift of love for a another week because of wedding their way home. After the Boys left, it handicapped individual was so invitations from friends and relatives. was cleaning time again. This time it precious that it was When I returned the Boy I had to take was hard work because a group of something they needed care of this time was a quieter Germans and some volunteers would desperately, and that giving individual. The only problem was be taking the Boys for another trip to them that gift would mean so understanding him whenever he Jordan. much to them. I was glad to needed something because he couldn’t have had this opportunity to talk. I had been told that my Boy The next few days were more of a give the work a try, as I had sometimes became aggressive and had relaxing moment for the Germans and really enjoyed myself among a crisis. I was lucky enough to be able the volunteers. We were invited out to the Boys. I will surely do it to control him and not to be faced dinner at a restaurant. The next day, again. I’m sure 2008 in with his anger. we went for a swim at a friend’s chalet Chabrouh with the Boys will in SoleMar. The next day was more of a be even better. I look forward The week in Chabrouh with the new Thank You occasion to express to it. (We regret that this Boys followed the same routine as the appreciation for the efforts done by the article had to be held over first week. The main Mass was daily at Germans and the volunteers during the from the summer issue.- Ed.).

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Are Organic Foods Healthier?  | Wassim Beaineh Major: CCE

Organic foods are produced all fungicides (mold killers), and 30% of water resources. Organic farming reduces according to certain production all insecticides (insect killers) as toxic farming runoff and pollutants that standards, meaning that they potentially causes of cancer. Organic contaminate our water, soil and air. Soil are grown without the use of farming keeps harmful chemicals and is the foundation of the food chain and conventional pesticides, artificial pesticides out of the food we eat and the primary focus of organic farming. We fertilizers, human waste, or beverages we drink. It also prohibits the are facing the worst topsoil erosion in sewage sludge, and that they use of antibiotics in animal feed, which history due to our current agricultural are processed without ionizing are routinely used in conventional practice of chemical, intensive, mono- radiation or food additives. farming and are known to create crop farming (Evans, 2002, p. 22). Livestock are reared without the dangerous antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Organic agriculture respects the balance routine use of antibiotics and Organic farms also benefit the farm demanded of a healthy ecosystem; without the use of growth workers who otherwise risk high exposure wildlife is an essential part of a total hormones. In most countries, to chemicals and synthetic pesticides farm and is encouraged by including organic produce must not be (Henry, 1996, p. 147). Organically grown forage crops in rotation and by retaining genetically modified. Organic foods contain more cancer-fighting fence rows, wetlands, and other natural food production is legally chemicals than do conventionally grown areas. Organic farmers have led the way, regulated. Currently, the United foods. Fruits and vegetables grown largely at their own expense, with States, the European Union, organically show significantly higher innovative on-farm research aimed at Japan and many other countries levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants reducing pesticide use and minimizing require producers to obtain than conventionally grown foods, the impact of agriculture on the organic certification in order to according to a new study of corn, environment. Organic farming is better market food as organic (Henry, strawberries and mulberries. The research for the environment, better for business, 1996, p. 72). But an important suggests that pesticides and herbicides and more energy-efficient; it produces issue remains: shall we consider actually thwart the production of fruit that is better-tasting than do organic food to be healthier? I phenolics, chemicals that act as a plant's conventional methods and most wish to show that organic foods natural defense and also happen to be integrated production systems, according have advantages both for good for our health. Fertilizers, however, to the research conducted at Washington human health and for the seem to boost the levels of anti-cancer State University. The loss of a large environment. compounds. Thus it is preferable to eat variety of species (biodiversity) is one of It is widely known that Organic organic foods in order to reduce our our most pressing environmental production reduces health risks. vulnerability to health risks and diseases concerns. The good news is that many Many pesticides approved by (Edelman, 1997, p. 3). organic farmers and gardeners have been the Environmental Protection Another reason why organic foods may collecting and preserving seeds, and Agency (EPA) were registered be considered as being better for health growing unusual varieties for decades. long before extensive research and having other advantages is that they The USDA once predicted that by the linked these chemicals to cancer are environmentally friendly. The year 2000 half of U.S. farm production and other diseases. Now, the elimination of polluting chemicals and would be coming from 1% of farms. EPA considers 60% of all nitrogen leaching, done in combination Organic farming may be one of the few herbicides (weed killers), 90% of with soil building, protects and conserves survival tactics left for the family farm

 page 68 |  issue 44 Organic Food W. Beaineh

and the rural community. Now every change from what it used to be and content to acidity, an indication food category has an organic alternative. become just another mass produced of sweetness, was higher among And non-food agricultural products are brand which will over time be replaced organic apples as well. These being grown organically – even cotton, by another emerging sector (Walters, results were then confirmed by which most experts felt could not be 2005, p4). consumer taste tests (De Haas, grown organically (Evans, 2002, p. 48). One of the most important reasons why I 2004, p. 7). While organic foods give many benefits, personally find myself a supporter of Finally, it is obvious that it must be conceded that from a business organic foods is the fact that organic organic foods are healthier and point of view, they are expensive. It is products meet stringent standards. more nutritious. Organic crops understood that we have to pay more for Organic certification is the public’s tend to have a higher nutrient organic produce because there are more assurance that products have been grown content, and organic feed crop failures due to the fact that the and handled according to strict improves the general health and farmers cannot use pesticides, but that is procedures without persistent toxic disease resistance of humans an acceptable percentage and one that chemical inputs. When a product has and farm animals. Some people varies from product to product. Should been Certified Organic by QAI (Quality buy organic food for organic fish be 10 percent more Assurance International), the public is environmental reasons. Organic expensive than non-organic fish and assured that the product, its ingredients farming practices are designed vegetables 20 per cent, etc.? If we have and the manufacturer have been to benefit the environment by to pay more for crop failures how does submitted to a thorough investigation reducing pollution and this work with processed food that uses (Henry, 1996, p. 322). Also, certified conserving water and soil. Sales less fresh ingredients and higher organic food tastes great because well- of organic products are growing volumes? Should we still have to pay a balanced soils produce strong healthy at rates that are three to eight premium or are proponents just jumping plants that taste great. Try an organic times faster than conventional on the organic band-wagon and making orange or vine-ripened tomato for sweet products, according to the us pay higher prices? At the moment and juicy flavor. In a study done by Organic Trade Association. One most organic items are too highly priced Washington State University in Pullman, is in something of a dilemma to be affordable for most people. Organic published in the April 19, 2001 issue of when standing in front of the food began as a small movement decades the journal Nature, researchers measured produce section of the local ago with gardeners and farmers rejecting the effects of an organic, a conventional supermarket. In one hand, you the use of conventional non-organic and an integrated apple production are holding a conventionally practices. With the growth of the Organic system on the sustainability indicators of grown apple. In your other food market now dominating much of horticultural performance, soil quality, hand, you have one that has the food industry many major companies orchard profitability, environmental been organically grown. Both have moved into this market. Among quality and energy efficiency. Taste was apples are firm, shiny and these are some multi-national companies, measured three ways. Results from green. Which one is better? and with the creation of a legal mechanical analysis of fruit firmness at Safer? More nutritious? My certification framework such as that of harvest and after six months storage answer to you will be definitely the Soil Association, there is worry that were higher for organic produce than for the organically grown apple. the very definition of organic food will its two competitors. The ratio of sugar

References 1. De Haas, N. (2004). Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious? Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http: // www.ingenta.com 2. Edelman, S. (1997). Conventional vs. organic farming. Retrieved May 4, 2008 from http: // www.jstor.com 3. Evans, P. (2002). Organic Food and Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2008 from http: // www.proquest.umi.com 4. Henry, J. (1996). Organic or not?. Wyman publishers (USA). Mariam & Youssef Library.Notre Dame University- Zouk Campus, Lebanon 5. Walters, R. (2005, March 18). Organic food Safe? The Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2008 from http: /// www.ingenta.com/FoodSafety/Organicfoods

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Marriage between relatives  | Wassim Beaineh Major: CCE

At the creation of man, Adam are discouraged. Such regulation is often genetics have children. Therefore, the and Eve’s sons and daughters applied on a society-wide level and drive to reproduce with individuals married siblings. God approved assists in defining group boundaries. It is genetically different from oneself may this at that time for the purpose sometimes applied to sub-components derive from an innate drive to seek the of populating the earth. People within a larger society, often to reinforce healthiest combination of DNA possible in that age were of a more their ability to maintain restrictive access for one's offspring by out-breeding.. stable genetic construction, and to property, power, and position That is why marriage between relatives is breeding between siblings did (Howard, p.4). Although marriage not biologically encouraged (Kolodinsky, not adversely affect the children between close biological relatives is very p.26). of such a union. Even up till common in much of Asia and Africa, and Claude Levi-Strauss introduced the the time of Moses, marriage to a lesser degree in South America, "Alliance Theory" of exogamy, that is, between a man and his half- representative prevalence data are poor that small groups must force their sister or aunt was allowed. or non-existent for almost seventy members to marry outside so as to build Upon giving the civil laws to percent of the world's population. As a alliances with other groups. According to Moses and the Israelites, God conservative estimate, some 900 million this theory, groups that engaged in forbade marriage between those people live in countries where more than exogamy would flourish, while those that who were closely related. This fifty percent of marriages are contracted didn't would die out, either literally or was to avoid the degeneration between spouses related as second because they lacked ties for cultural and of offspring. In modern times, cousins or closer. In many scientific economic exchange, leaving them at a marriage between first cousins studies, marriage between those who are disadvantage (Fox, p.7). The exchange of is strictly illegal in most relatively less related genetically, out- men and women therefore would serve countries. There is a high risk breeding as opposed to inbreeding, is as a uniting force between groups. A that marriage and breeding seen to benefit the offspring by avoiding community where marriage between between close relatives may the likelihood of the offspring inheriting close relatives is allowed finds its result in mentally and physically two copies of a defective gene and also numerical growth is limited and may disabled offspring, and should by increasing the genetic diversity of the remain a small minority. not be practiced. In this offspring, improving the chances that Another issue that also can be raised is context, scientific and more of the offspring will have the that the refusal to intermarry as well as philosophical proofs should be required adaptations to survive. To be to accept converts can reduce the described in relation with the specific, there should be a drive in prospects of getting suitable brides and different teachings of the humans to engage in out-breeding; this bridegrooms. A community that remains Church and of other religions to is because procreating with individuals a minority will not contribute to show the consequences of who are more closely related means any sustainable development and to marriage between close children will be more likely to suffer from economic growth. For example, it is relatives. genetic defects caused by inbreeding. known that the Appalachian region in Individuals who breed with more While societies have rules about the Eastern Unites States is full of distantly related or unrelated partners which relatives one is forbidden poverty and uneven economic and thereby avoid incestuous to marry, some also have those development, because of the separate relationships will have healthier offspring of endogamy, which require status group, according to the sociologist due to the benefits of out-breeding that marriages be solely or Max Weber’s. More than sixty-five (Kolodinsky, p.16). There are many preferentially contracted within percent of Appalachia’s residents are conditions that are more likely where particular ranges or married with a relative. Criteria are inbreeding takes place, one example relationships. Such practices tradition, endogamy, an emphasis on being cystic fibrosis when a couple of help to highlight community intimate interaction and isolation from primarily European genetics have identity, uniqueness, and status outsiders, monopolization of economic children, another being sickle-cell anemia in opposition to neighbouring opportunities, and ownership of certain when a couple of primarily African groups with whom marriages commodities rather than others.

 page 70 |  issue 44 Marriage... W. Beaineh

Furthermore, mainstream deliver this man to Satan for the Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Parsi of Americans tend to see destruction of the flesh...." Incest India (a non-Hindu minority in India). Appalachia as a separate corrupts family relationships and marks a Marriage between close relatives can play subculture of low status. Based regression toward animality (Greider, p.6). an important role in social stratification on these facts, it is reasonable How does Islam view such marriages? (Howard, p.9). to say that Appalachia does Islam permits marriage between first Finally, speaking in general, marriage and constitute a separate status cousins. The Qur'anic verses which breeding between close relatives should group (Fox, p.11). enumerate women to whom a Muslim not be practiced because it results in Marriage between close relatives cannot be married do not include mentally and physically disabled is forbidden by Churches as well cousins. Therefore, such a marriage is offspring. Also it has negative impacts on as by other religions such as permissible. The Islamic view is that while the economy and the diversity of Judaism and Islam. The Russian marriage between cousins is permissible, societies. Sexual contact and marriage Orthodox Church did not allow it is certainly preferable to choose a between relatives themselves violates marriages of blood relatives, marriage partner from outside one's socio-cultural, religious norms and laws. including cousins; the cousins family. We have to distinguish between Marriages between relatives lead to more of the next generation could what is permitted and what is advocated congenital defects and contribute to marry by special permission. (Roush, p.5). By permitting such higher infant mortality. That is why the Marriage was also not allowed marriages Islam does not encourage percentage of marriages between blood between near civil relatives (for them. It advocates marriage outside the relatives should be reduced as soon as example with the sister of a extended family, not only for the reasons possible. Also, groups that engaged in brother’s wife, mother of the outlined above, but also for the such marriages do not flourish but tend wife of brother’s son etc.), nor cementing of social relations through either to die out or to be absorbed they between the so-called marriages between totally unrelated lack ties for cultural and economic ecclesiastic relatives - the families. The Prophet once told one of exchange. godfather could not marry the his companions to choose a wife from a godson’s/goddaughter’s mother tribe different to his, and then to choose – and the analogous rule for his son a wife from a third tribe, and existed for the godmother. to seek for his second son a girl from yet Marriage between adopters and another tribe. Preferring this course of References adoptees was possible if they action, Islam nevertheless permits 1. Fox, B. (2002). Endogamy and Exogamy. were not blood-relatives. The marriage between cousins because it Infotrac Library. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from Evangelical Lutherans and the meets a social need (Roush, p.8). http://www.infotrac.net/ 2. Greider,W. (2003, November). What does the Catholic Church prohibit only Admittedly, marriage between close Bible say regarding marriage between marriage between the nearest relatives can have some advantages. It relatives, with permission relatives?. Academic Research Library encourages group affiliation and Database. Retrieved May 24, 2008 from needed for first cousins. bonding. It is a common practice among http:// www.proquest.umi.com/ The word incest designates transplanted cultures attempting to make 3. Howard, B. (2003, October). Marriages of intimate relations between roots in new countries as it encourages relatives. Academic Research Library relatives or in-laws within a group solidarity and ensures greater Database. Retrieved December 18, 2004 from degree that prohibits marriage control over group resources. It helps http:// www.proquest.umi.com/ between them. St. Paul minorities to survive over a long time in 4. Kolodinsky, S. (2002) Is consanguinity safe? stigmatizes this especially grave societies with other practices and beliefs. Infotrac Library. Retrieved May 26, 2008 from offense: "It is actually reported Famous examples of strictly endogamous http:// www.infotrac.net/ 5. Roush, R. (2004). Islam and Endogamy. that there is immorality among religious groups are the Yazidi in Infotrac Library. Retrieved May 27, 2008 from you . . . for a man is living with Northern Iraq (surrounded by a Islamic http://www.proquest.umi.com/ his father's wife.... In the name majority), the Armenian-Iranians, of the Lord Jesus ... you are to Orthodox Jews, Old Order Amish,

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Interpreters … indispensable!

 | Leila Rahme Hokayem The world as a global village brings people from different races, nationalities and, Part-time lecturer, NDU most importantly, languages together. To communicate, these people with different backgrounds need to understand each other, but not all of them do. This is where conference interpreters play a role, an indispensable one.

As an NDU graduate with a BA in interpretation, I was able to immediately enter the Lebanese market upon graduation because there was a desperate demand at the time for simultaneous translation into English. Since all the other private universities in Lebanon with a Translation-Interpretation degree focus on the French language, NDU graduates are easily integrated. We were, and still are, at an advantage since the market demand is mostly into English. The most important feature in our training is the constant practicing translation into the English language from Arabic and French. In addition, we graduate fluent in all the needed technical terms, thus able to confidently and successfully translate at any local, regional or international conference.

In June 2008, through NDU contacts, Rana Bou Raad, an NDU graduate, and I went to the Vatican to simultaneously translate at an interfaith conference. The experience was personally and professionally very rewarding and the feedback received by Dr. Carol Kfoury, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, was very positive. Both Rana and I returned to the Vatican in November to work at another interfaith conference. It was as rewarding as the first one. We were asked to return in December for a third interfaith conference.

Our profession is not a 20th or a 21st century development. It did not come about with the establishment of the United Nations Organization, nor was it created in the aftermath of international political, financial, economic and business meetings. It is rather a necessity whenever two or more people of different language backgrounds meet for any purpose.

The author and Rana Bour Raad meet His Holiness the Pope.

 page 72 |  issue 44 Something for your grey matter

Crossword

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29

30 31 32 33 34

35 36 37

38 39 40 41

42 43 44

45 46

47

Across: Down: 1. Balanced relationship of animals and plants 2. 1. January feast 2. Yield, give way 3. Old dialect of Strike, eat grains, with beak 9. Irritate 11. Card for southern France 4. Firmament 5. Fill, satiate 6. Lake recognition 12. Himalayan monster 15. Thick cord (noun), simple (adjective) 7. Extremity 10. Peruse 13. 17. Animal in home 19. Masculine, Feminine or neuter For example (abbrev.) 14. Coloured liquids 18. 21. Concerning 22. Stunned (in boxing) 23. Unrefined syrup 20. Female deer 24. Nothing 26. Termination 25. Big primate 27.He did not win 30. Small round vegetable 27. Character 28. Alternatively Smarter 32. Greasy 35. Pleasure boat 36. Stalk 38. 29. Fish eggs 31. Lateral digits 33. Mischievous spirit Stringed instrument 39. Glass in window 42. Motif, 34. Over there (poetic) 37. Small urban conglomeration subject 43. Be indebted 45. Muscular 46. Poem 47. 40. Shakespeare’s Stratford-on- …. (old Saxon name for Industrious insects a river) 41. Female sheep 42. Affixed piece of cloth or paper 43. Possess 44.Visual organ

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