On October 28, 2021, the Faculty of Engineering (FI) of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) celebrated the graduation of the 9th Master in Management of Road Safety (MANSER) Class, under the patronage and in the presence of Mr. Carlos Ghosn, who took part in a round table discussion about leadership, industrial robotization, infrastructure development, and road safety during the ceremony.
This event took place on the 50th Anniversary of the School of Engineering in Beirut (ESIB). Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., Rector of USJ, Mr. Director General of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) represented by Colonel Joseph Moussallem, Head of the ISF Public Relations Department, R.P. Salah Abou Jaoudé s.j., Vice-Rector of the University, the Dean of FI, Prof. Wassim Raphael, Vice Rectors, Deans, Directors, Teachers, ESIB Alumni, and ESIB students.
Prof. Wassim Raphael declared that USJ is honored and proud to receive Mr. Carlos Ghosn after a welcome address by Ms. Tiffany Geara. According to him, the round table’s topics are designed to provide insight into the country’s economic development, infrastructural development, and promotion of inclusive and sustainable industrialization while stimulating innovation. “You believe it is impossible to become a corporate leader without being audacious, Mr. Ghosn,” pursued Raphael. “This round table discussion is an opportunity for us to be in your shoes, to understand how you view certain topics and how this vision is rooted in audacity and its limits, in resilience, in innovation and in performance.”
He said: “We stand firm by the principle of the sanctity of human life. Nowadays, traffic accidents are scourge, particularly in Lebanon. Road safety statistics are worrisome. This is why, in September 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/74/299 “Improving Global Road Safety”, proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. True to its mission to serve society, USJ is helping save lives through this master’s program. Despite all challenges, we will continue to strive for this noble cause, thanks to Mr. Ghosn’s support. This academic year and for the tenth consecutive year, the master’s program is recruiting several students of various Arab nationalities, as well as two ISF officers.”
At the end of his speech, Raphael stated: “ESIB’s programs are based on personal growth, humanism, the development of a sense of belonging in young people, and a quality education infused with great human values. They follow a credit system that combines the strengths of the American system with those of the French European system. ESIB will remain a reference in the education of the best engineers in the country and in the region. We will continue to fight with courage and perseverance until we realize our full potential and become even more resilient, since our determination will enable us to strive for excellence and to go above and beyond.”
In his speech, Prof. Salim Daccache acknowledged the presence of “a family member”. He explained: “I use the word family because it means that this person loved and still loves his family, his home, and he made sure we all know it. He was a member of the Strategic Council for decades, and he was generous with his advice and contributions to USJ. He did not hesitate to lend a financial hand to the University that was struggling after 2006. Mr. Ambassador Khalil Karam, who was Vice-rector at the time, is a good testimony to Mr. Carlos Ghosn’s moral and tangible support.”
“Your name is always in plain sight at the Campus of Innovation and Sport on Damascus Street,” Daccache continues, addressing Mr. Ghosn. “Similarly, as Chairman and CEO of Renault, you have launched, in October 2011, the Chair of Road Safety Management and the Master in Road Safety Management, alongside late Rector René Chamussy s.j.. For the past 10 years, the Chair, the master’s and PhD programs have been training specialists in road safety. These Alumni have served Lebanon and the Arab world, from Tunisia to Jordan, Egypt, and even Yemen.”
“You have returned as sponsor of this Chair, whose academic work has been vital to MENA countries. I can only express my gratitude for accepting to carry the torch of support and guidance. The graduation of the new class provides us with an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to being present and maintaining our scientific and social mission in this field.”
“The round table around today’s and tomorrow’s engineering professions can only involve us, and the elites, on the path of our cause, excellence,” Daccache says.
Four students led the discussion with Mr. Ghosn:
- Leila Azzam, a fourth-year Civil Engineering student,
- Youssef Tohmé, a fifth-year Electrical Engineering student,
- Jad Jarade, a fifth-year student in Computer and Communication Engineering,
- and Maria Saroufim, a fifth-year Electrical Engineering student.
Mr. Carlos Ghosn answered the students’ questions on topics of engineering and leadership, solutions to the Lebanese financial crisis, industrial robotization, the importance of infrastructure in economic development, and road safety in the decade 2021-2030.
Following the round table, the diplomas were delivered to 9th Master in Management of Road Safety Class.
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Lire plus : Table ronde autour de Carlos Ghosn et remise de diplômes aux étudiants en Master en management de la sécurité routière