Safa Jafari Safa, Office of Communications, communications@aub.edu.lb
AUB welcomed nine new faculty members in a virtual new faculty orientation on September 2, 2020. Joined by AUB President Fadlo Khuri, Interim Provost Zaher Dawy, deans, and administration, the new faculty were briefed and presented with an opportunity to speak about their backgrounds and fields of research.
“It is really a delight every year, particularly this year, to see the faces of distinguished academics that have joined AUB's wonderful faculty body," said President Khuri. "I take this opportunity to salute not just you but all AUB faculty members for having once more proved their relevance and dedication to AUB and to Lebanon at this extraordinary time."
Seven academics joined AUB's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS): Joseph Bahout, who is the new Director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI), also joining the Political Studies and Public Administration (PSPA) Department as associate professor of practice; Rania Jaber, who is joining the Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies (CAMES) as a post-doctoral fellow, working across anthropology and art history methods; Ilham Khuri-Makdisi, who is joining as an associate professor in the Department of History and Archaeology; Sina Moukaled who joined the Department of Arabic and Near Eastern Languages in September 2019; Nadine Panayot, the Archaeological Museum Curator and an associate professor of practice at the Department of History and Archaeology; Saeed Raheel, who is joining the Computer Science Department on full-time basis after having served as a lecturer on part-time basis for the past two years; and Natalie Tayim, a clinical psychologist who is joining the Department of Psychology as a full-time lecturer.
Raghida Abdallah Yassine is joining the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) as a visiting assistant professor in MME track and an HRD and HRM researcher and educator exploring the role of technology in enhancing student and employee learning and development. As for Salem Hannoun, he is joining the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) as an assistant professor and will serve as coordinator of the Medical Imaging Sciences Program.
Interim Provost Dawy welcomed the new faculty and introduced AUB, its mission, and goals; adding that the virtual orientation is a sign that no matter what, AUB is there to stay and continue to grow, serve the people, and make a positive impact. During his presentation, Dawy explained previous experience and the transformation in teaching and learning during the current circumstances for a more effective student experience, and an experiential education.
“We are fully prepared. It is an exceptional time in terms of adaptation and being proactive and reactive over the coming weeks, and in terms of delivery and sharing content and experiences with your students," he told the faculty. “It is not easy and it is not like traditional teaching in the classroom, but it brings lots of opportunities and added value."
During the event, which included 30 attendees, Dean of FAS Nadia El Cheikh, Interim Dean of OSB Yusuf Sidani, and Interim Dean of FHS Abla Sibai welcomed their new faculty and briefed them on their faculties' directions. Following that were presentations by heads of the various departments at AUB introducing their department services and procedures.
“In these turbulent times, and against all odds, once again, AUB successfully rises to meet the challenge of onboarding nine distinguished new faculty members in its first virtual orientation," said New Faculty Facilitator Rima Iskandarani.
“Your trust in this institution is met with our trust not only in your expertise but also in your values and your ability to fit right in at AUB and embrace all that it stands for," said President Khuri. “You represent different streams of excellence and a genuine commitment to diversity and multidisciplinarity that we believe embodies the AUB education and AUB experience…Your presence here today is testimony in one of the most difficult times in Lebanon to your belief in AUB and its embodiment of its constant mission to educate, to serve, and to create a better tomorrow for all."