Warm smiles, heartfelt reunions, and shared pride marked The Great ETIB Reunion (Les Grandes Retrouvailles de l’ETIB), held on Tuesday, December 16, at the Abou Khater Auditorium on the Humanities Campus of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ).
The event brought together alumni, faculty, students, and friends of the School of Translators and Interpreters of Beirut (ETIB) in a vibrant celebration of community, achievement, and the evolving world of language professions. More than 270 participants attended in person, with another 50 joining online, some reconnecting after just a few years, others after several decades. A shared passion united them: a deep pride in their alma mater and a collective belief that translation and interpretation are not fading professions but ones continuously transforming and reinventing themselves. ETIB Director Prof. Mary Yazbeck emphasized the versatility of ETIB graduates and the School’s ability to anticipate the shifting demands of the profession. The atmosphere was joyful, sincere, and marked by the unique camaraderie that only shared academic journeys can foster.
Three Highlights of the Reunion:
The event marked the relaunch of the ETIB Alumni Association (AAETIB), a milestone in strengthening intergenerational bonds and alumni engagement. Gaby Assaker, elected President of the Association, outlined plans to expand the alumni network and enhance its role in ETIB’s life and visibility.
The Joseph Zaarour Prize honored outstanding young translators from across Lebanon.
The National First Prize for Grade 11 was awarded to Karma Mardirian (Sagesse High School – Beirut), and the First Prize for Grade 12 went to Chloé Akoury (Collège de la Sainte Famille Française – Jounieh). Second Prizes were awarded to Rami Fadlallah (Al-Kawthar Secondary School) and Macha Kafrouny (Collège des Soeurs des Saints‑Coeurs – Kfarhbab).
Winners received financial awards and vouchers for language courses at the Faculty’s Center for Modern Languages. Now in its 19th edition, the competition welcomed 213 students from Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, and Zahle, with 12 finalists advancing to the final round. Judging was conducted anonymously by a jury of ETIB instructors, administrators, and students, upholding the academic rigor for which the School is known.
The competition paid a poignant tribute to Mrs. Therese Salame Zaarour, widow of Joseph Zaarour, whose generosity founded the translation competition.
Another highlight was the awarding of the Joseph Zaarour Medal of Distinction to Ahyaf Sinno and Chawki Rayess, honoring their exemplary careers and significant contributions to languages, translation, and interpretation. Their achievements reflect a legacy of excellence and service that inspires the next generation of language professionals.
Looking Ahead: Innovation in Language Education
Looking toward the future, Prof. Yazbeck announced a new initiative: starting March 2026, ETIB will launch a University Diploma in Linguistic Engineering. Designed to update and expand the skill sets of language professionals, the program results from a collaboration with the USJ Center for Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (CINIA) and instructors-researchers from the Faculties of Science, Engineering (ESIB), and ETIB. This interdisciplinary diploma aims to prepare graduates to navigate emerging frontiers in language professions.
Memory, achievement, and creativity marked the evening, reflecting ETIB’s commitment to honoring its history, embracing the present, and confidently moving toward the future.
Read also: Les grandes retrouvailles de l’ETIB
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