WAAAUB Inaugurates New Premises

Makkawi (5th from left) welcomes alumni to new locale on Abdel-Aziz Street, near campus

The Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB) inaugurated its new premises on April 17, located nearby on Abdul Aziz Street. Attending the ceremony were the members of the board of directors of the association's newly elected executive committee, as well as dozens of alumni and friends of AUB.

"Few universities in the world can boast as wide an international presence as our alma mater," said former ambassador Khalil Makkawi, the president of the executive committee of the board, as he welcomed those attending the event. "Our organization was established in order to tap into the wealth of talent in our alumni, for the benefit of our beloved AUB."

Included among the guests were MPs Pierre Dakkash and Bassem al-Shaab; former ministers Beshara Merhej and Saeb Jaroudi; press federation president Mohammed Baalbaki; former ambassador Abdullah Bou Habib; engineer Nazih Taleb, who heads the Dar Al-Handasah consultancy firm; Mohammed Baasari, who is known for his work at the Special Investigation Commission; Habib Frem of the Syriac League; TV talk show host and producer Ricardo Karam; and Fady Saab, chairman of Trans-Mediterranean Airways.

"We believe that the life and blood of this association are its alumni chapters-the home away from home, which will continue to maintain its autonomy while participating in WAAAUB activities," said Makkawi. "We are really excited that, in the short time since WAAAUB was founded, we are on our way to establishing a strong and dynamic association-one that will serve our university and its alumni well."

Makkawi reported that the WAAAUB Outreach Committee has been contacting alumni through alumni chapters, informal social networks, and AUB publications, in order to expand the alumni base. He also highlighted the work being done by the various other alumni committees to attract young alumni and encourage the establishment of new chapters.

The Beirut-based WAAAUB, which was established by AUB's Board of Trustees in 2006, is the only international alumni association acknowledged by AUB and includes all alumni chapters in Lebanon, North America, and the rest of the world. In addition to its fifteen-member board of directors, the association includes an international alumni council of more than 130 members, who represent the entire AUB alumni network.