After the national anthem, there was a welcome from our colleague Majid Bouhadir, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, Protocol, and Media Relations at the university, saying: “Today we did not wake up to the sound of a rooster crowing, nor to the ringing of an alarm clock, but to the sound of an Israeli Hermes 45 drone, which, along with the noise of other enemy planes, were about to prevent us from meeting today, and with it this plane comes today so that you can feel that there is a people who do not care.” Due to difficulty or pressure, a creative and creative private sector, no one can lower the banner of their faith in this country, a public sector that is also struggling under the weight, but confronts, endures, motivates and encourages, and refuses to be present, represented today by a Minister of Industry who is distinguished by his solidity, vision, transparency, frankness and more, working to preserve a sector through which he is confident that it works miracles.”
For his part, Dr. Najeeb Al-Matni, Vice President for Development of the University, pointed out that, “Despite the ongoing challenges in Lebanon, we are proud today of a scene that brings together students, graduates, and employers in this meeting, where they are able to communicate, explore various fields, and learn about job opportunities in various sectors.” He also pointed out that the presence of more than a hundred companies on campus is clear evidence of the steadfastness and strong will of Lebanese society, especially the Notre Dame University family.
He pointed out that “the Office of Alumni Affairs also organizes the ‘Alumni Insights’ initiative, which provides the opportunity to communicate with graduates of Notre Dame University and benefit from valuable guidance and direction in various sectors.”
Matni also thanked the university’s Career Center, which works hard throughout the year to connect students with employers, praising the efforts of the center’s director, Ms. Carla Sfeir, and the career center team, in appreciation of their dedication and constant commitment to the success of these initiatives.
Then there was a speech by Father Dr. Bechara El-Khoury, President of Notre Dame University, in which he said: “Despite the challenges that the country is going through, we place our full confidence in the young generation, as they are the ones who create the future.”
He stressed that “no one has the right to say: What can we do? Here the university is a leader in the world of successes, and we see the goals that have been achieved through its graduates.”
“Our investment in youth is an essential choice, and no one can impose our choices on us. With the help of its youth, Lebanon continues and endures, and companies also have an important role in supporting and strengthening this path.”
He added: “Nation building can only take place through partnership between educational institutions and productive sectors, where science meets practical experience to create real opportunities, stressing the need to open horizons for young energies and enable them to be creative and innovative in various fields.”
He also called for enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit among students and encouraging them to engage in professional experiences with confidence and responsibility, indicating that the university will remain an incubator for talents and accompany them on their journey towards the labor market.
Minister Issa Al-Khoury
After Father Al-Khoury’s speech, Minister Issa Al-Khoury delivered a speech in which he said: “This exhibition is more than just a meeting platform between employers and students. It is a bridge of convergence between education and the economy, between knowledge and experience, between ambition and opportunities. Today, Lebanon needs more than ever before strong and established relationships between universities and productive sectors.”
He stressed that the role of universities is fundamental and pivotal, and that Notre Dame University not only prepares young women and men to find job opportunities, but also works to prepare them to face challenges and to be innovative professionals and responsible citizens who can be relied upon to play a leadership role in the future. The Lebanese industrial sector needs graduates who are prepared to actually engage in the labor market, by working in factories, entering laboratories, and participating in production workshops, in addition to performing their duties in offices with high efficiency, commitment, and seriousness.
He continued: “Universities need constant dialogue between them and institutions. Curricula must be constantly renewed and remain linked to market needs. Students need training, participation in applied projects, guidance, and exposure to real challenges. Therefore, companies must communicate with universities in a sustainable way to guide and contribute to refining the skills of the younger generation. This partnership between the university and the private sector is not a luxury. It is a binding necessity.”
He concluded: “At the Ministry of Industry, our vision is clear: the industrial sector is an essential pillar for Lebanon’s recovery. Industry provides job opportunities, stabilizes people on their land, turns ideas into products, opens export markets, and guarantees employee dignity.”
He also addressed the students, saying: “Make the most of this event. Do not just visit the pavilions and distribute CVs. Ask questions. Listen carefully. Explore what the labor market is looking for in order to find what you seek. Lebanon needs a generation that dares to overcome difficulties, a generation that is open to the world, but committed to its country.”
After that, a constructive interactive dialogue took place between representatives of companies, students, and the Minister of Industry, which discussed the most prominent challenges and opportunities related to the labor market and ways to enhance cooperation between various sectors.
A video was shown about the achievements of the employment office and testimonials from university veterans.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a souvenir by the university president to the Minister of Industry, as a token of appreciation and thanks, before the audience went on a tour around the exhibition.
