The American University of Beirut (AUB) marked the 125th anniversary of its business school—the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB)—with a celebratory event attended by AUB and OSB leadership, faculty, alumni, students, and public figures.
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president, who highlighted the history of AUB’s business school and its role in setting the standard for business education in the region. Dr. Khuri emphasized the school’s dedication to excellence despite the challenges faced in its surrounding environment. “This history is shaped not necessarily by following trends, but by setting new standards in excellence, adaptability, and impact,” Khuri said.
Following the president’s address, Dr. Yusuf Sidani, OSB dean, further reinforced the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. He reflected on how the institution’s past serves as a foundation for its future, emphasizing that learning from history is not about dwelling on the past but about using it as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and forward-thinking strategies. Sidani highlighted how OSB continues to evolve, embracing change while staying true to its mission of shaping the next generation of business leaders. “Our history is our future – Innovative. Entrepreneurial. Forward-Looking,” said Sidani.
During the event, the audience was introduced to the OSB 125 project, which aims to honor the school’s legacy and its vision for the future. Attendees watched a specially curated video showcasing the founding years of OSB, providing insight into the visionaries who laid its foundation. This was followed by an informative presentation by the OSB history team, led by Dr. Makram Rabah, assistant professor in AUB’s History Department at the Faculty of Arts and Science, who is heading the project; Researcher Charles Al-Hayek, who is managing the project; along with a team of three AUB students. The presentation showcased a variety of historical artifacts tracing the school’s origins. The presentation delved into the first recorded mention of the school, the contributions of its founding fathers, and the pivotal moments that shaped its evolution over the last 125 years.
After the presentation, a trivia game was held to test participating students’ knowledge of the business school’s history. Participants competed in a lively and educational challenge, with the winners receiving gift cards as a token of appreciation.
This event marked the beginning of a year-long campaign that will feature a series of initiatives dedicated to celebrating the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business milestone anniversary. To stay updated with the latest 125th anniversary news and upcoming activities, visit this link.
About AUB
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching-centered research university, AUB has more than 750 full-time faculty members and a student body of over 8000 students. AUB currently offers more than 140 programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, MD, and PhD degrees. It provides medical education and training to students from throughout the region at its Medical Center that includes a full-service 365-bed hospital.
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