The University of Balamand (UOB), in collaboration with the Strategic Development Consortium (SDC), hosted journalist Ricardo Karam and former MP Misbah El-Ahdab on March 18, 2025, at the university’s campus in Koura. The seminar was attended by Dr. Elias Warrak, President of UOB, Dr. Elie Karam, Dean of the Issam Fares Faculty of Technology, along with several faculty members and staff and a large number of students.
The seminar aimed to strengthen academic cooperation between educational institutions and explore strategic solutions to the challenges facing the North Governorate. The discussion emphasized the importance of combining academic expertise with active student participation and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure sustainable outcomes. It also highlighted the need for joint efforts in developing practical solutions that support the region’s economic and social development.
In his speech, Mr. Misbah El-Ahdab highlighted the positive role of seminars in academic institutions, noting that such events help identify the challenges and difficulties facing society and contribute to finding the necessary plans and mechanisms to address them.
Journalist Ricardo Karam shared his personal experience, highlighting Lebanon’s unique qualities, particularly the freedom of expression, and stressed the need to preserve it. He also advised students, stating, “We must stay engaged in our country and actively connected to everything happening around us. We need to be part of this nation, especially in light of the rapid digital transformation we are experiencing.”
Dr. Elias Warrak emphasized the importance of family ties in Lebanon, affirming that these connections are an essential part of the Lebanese community’s identity. He also stressed the role of universities as leading institutions in shaping society, helping to safeguard youth from corruption and instilling the values of integrity and transparency.
This seminar marks an important step toward driving positive change in Northern Lebanon as part of an SDC-led project aimed at strengthening cooperation between academic institutions and the local community.