The ‘Institut Technique René Moawad’ held the graduation event for its 4th batch of students. The event took place at the Antonin University venue in Mejdlaya. It was attended by former Minister Nayla Moawad; the director of the Maronite Social Fund, Father Nader Nader; the president of the Salam Zgharta Club, Father Estephan Frangieh; the financial inspector Georges Al Aam; the representative of the ‘Tayyar’ (FPM), Paul Makkari; the representative of the ‘Future Movement’, lawyer Mustafa Al Awaik; the representative of the ‘Lebanese Forces’, Ibrahim Jabbour; doctor Georges Dahdah representing the Mayor of Zgharta Cesar Bassim; the head of the Lebanese Red Cross section in Zgharta-Zawiyat, Josephine Harfouch, the president of Caritas Zgharta, Dora Akila Abdallah; the president of the Zgharta traders, Joud Souto; the president of the Women Cultural Committee in Zgharta-Zawiyat, Amal Tadros; the president of the Education and Culture Association in Zgharta-Zawiyat, Akar Jabbour; the director of the René Moawad Foundation, Sheikh Nabil Moawad; directors of banks; principals of schools, institutes and representatives of educational institutions; representatives of clubs and social associations; members of the ‘Independence Movement’; in addition to the parents of the students, the teachers and the staff members of the Institut Technique René Moawad, and a gathering of local people.
The event started with the National Anthem, followed by a speech by the social committee of the institute, delivered by Miss Rabab Al Tulani.
Miss Tulani said: “We wanted the family that our institute represents to be an example for a righteous community. It is the message that our social committee carried from the beginning and still is, by working in an effective way to enhance friendship links, in a spirit of mutual respect.”
She added: “Together, as one family, we always cared to keep the team spirit alive at the institute. Our goal was and still is to spread the light of good citizenship around us, and throughout our country.”
And she concluded: “Wishes of happiness to our students who are graduating today. May the seeds of giving and of distinguished success remain alive in their hearts, in their consciousness and in their conscience.”
This was followed by a speech by Mr. Sami El Hajj representing the institute’s teachers. Mr. El Hajj said: “Today, a new batch of our students is making a step towards the future that they have drawn, the future that they have planned for. They have been prepared to face this new phase by carrying all the knowledge that they received, allowing them to succeed in the professions that they have chosen. All this knowledge and preparation is nothing but the first provisions at the start of their journey. Our graduates will need to get provision refills from the practical experiences that they will gather along their life paths.”
He added: “The true human wealth is the combination of efforts and perseverance on one side, and the treasures of knowledge on the other. Both can be attained by one who seeks them.”
And he concluded: “Your joy is immense today, as you move towards the future that you dreamt of. From the teachers who followed you on parts of your journey, please receive the warmest congratulations. We are full of faith that you will hold the flame of knowledge, and that no darkness will block your way. We are full of faith that you will hold values as the criteria to go by, so that the servilities of life never enter your spirits.”
The institute’s director
Next was the speech of the institute’s director, Mr Toni Al Aam: “It is special to stand at the end of a pathway, as we are about to enter a new one. And it is nice to be able to put away our working tools for a moment, in order to celebrate what we have achieved so far and to get ready for what is coming next.
“Today, with our graduates, we are concluding a phase and starting a new one. Life is a chain that moves and never stops. Every ending is also a new beginning. And with each beginning, there is a new hope and new aspirations that push us to keep moving forward.
“This is the norm of life for those who hold optimism and faith. We have grown up with optimism and faith. We have raised generations with these virtues, and will keep doing the same with the new generations that we will be put in charge of.
“We look ahead towards the future. Looking ahead is the way towards the future. Looking back is only history. We are proud with the successes of the past and we learn from its lessons and failures, but we move forward.”
He continued: “We dream, and later we materialize these dreams with achievements, and we curb reality with the power of faith and with proper vision. Five years ago, we dreamt of a distinguished institute that would be looked at as an example in its specialities. Today, that dream has become a reality, shining like the Sun of Truth – a sun that never gets blocked by jealousy or hatred. Nothing can stop us from staying on the path, from moving ahead towards our destiny. Our caravan is moving from station to station, towards a horizon that never ends, but keeps shaping itself anew with each step.”
He added:
“Five years ago we had a dream and made a promise to Sitt Nayla (Mrs. Nayla Moawad). And we kept that promise. Our promise was that we will graduate 500 students and set them out in the work markets across the country. Today, we have crossed the number of 500 graduates, and this, after only four batches of students. Yes indeed, towards our dream we keep moving and beyond. With faith, patience, perseverance and determination no obstacles can stop us, and nothing is impossible.
“On this day of great joy, which we share with our graduates, I would like to give a word of thanks to all those who have contributed to make this celebration fit the occasion.
“Thank you to the Antonin University for hosting us today in its premises for the 3rd year in a row; an institution that is providing care for the people of the region, and is ever present through efficient services in our community.
“Thank you to the administration and the students of the ‘Higher National Institute of Music’, the Conservatoire – Zgharta branch. They have added to our celebration class and talent. My thanks go in particular to Father Estephan Frangieh who through his hard work has enriched our region with an exceptional cultural addition.
“I also thank all those who have contributed financially and materially to allow us to hold this quality celebration, in particular the ‘Banque Libano-Française’ and Mr. Joud Souto.
“I thank the ‘unknown soldiers’ for their efforts. I mean the staff and teachers of our institute, in particular the members of the social committee. Their caring for details has added quality to the event. I thank with sincerity the friends and guests who through their pleasant presence and participation have brought beauty to the celebration. I thank our friends from the Media who are always covering the activities and programs of the institute.
“I also thank the parents of the students for their faith in the education and administration departments of our institute. You have put your trust in us, and today we offer you back the successful results of our work.
“No need to thank the members of our institute’s family, but on this occasion I would like to renew my respect and gratitude towards the one who believed, allowing the institute to get established (Mrs Nayla Moawad). She persevered, and the institute grew and flourished. She supported us, and the institute never faced unfairness or abuse. Sitt Nayla, the steadiness of our steps comes from the steadiness of your vision. Your support is the rock on which we can lean, so we can dream, make achievements, and reach success.”
He continued: “I don’t know whose joy is the biggest today: our students who are the stars of this celebration, their parents and caretakers, or their instructors and teachers? But what I am sure about is that this joy is common, and this shared joy makes it of a bigger value to all.
“Dear students, you are the stars of the celebration today, and you are the ones exhibiting the biggest happiness. Like for a father giving his children provisions before they start on a journey, there is so much in my mind that I wish to ask you to carry and preserve. But I won’t talk long. I summarize what I ask you to keep with you with the following: ‘Keep your faith alive. Keep trust and hope always lit in your hearts, so it can light your way in times of darkness. Don’t put limits for gaining more and more knowledge. Knowledge is vast. It is available for those who seek it. Work with joy, and be joyful with all that you do. Give your community and don’t hold back. By giving, blessings and goodness increase. May your conscience be your reference, your judge and your guide. Keep it alive. Don’t allow deception and wrongdoing to affect it or silence it.”
He concluded: “Go out, keep moving forward and don’t be scared. You are immune through the blessings of your parents. The good wishes of your teachers and colleagues will protect you. Look after your country. Be a support for it. Be its pride. The future of our country lies on your shoulders. The good that you give it, is the good that you will get back from it. You are the future. You represent the hope. May you be at the level of all the expectations and hopes.”
The event ended with the distribution of the certificates to the graduates, and a cocktail reception.
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