Safa Jafari, Office of Communications, communications@aub.edu.lb
In its annual ceremony that underscores excellence in education, the American University of Beirut (AUB) honored two of its pioneers with the Saouma Boujaoude Teaching Excellence Award. Professors Umayya Musharrafieh and Hagop Panossian were recognized for their commitment and sustained contributions to teaching, mentorship, and student learning.
“The finest teachers do not just impart knowledge; they ignite curiosity that continues to burn long after the lesson ends, turning learning into something self-propelling," said AUB President Fadlo Khuri at the ceremony. “We are proud to recognize two extraordinary educators who embody the highest ideals of our mission and understand that education is about enabling growth… Umayya and Hagop, your work embodies the finest of what our university strives to be."
Professor of medicine in the Department of Family Medicine,
Dr. Umayya Musharrafieh was recognized for her extensive contributions to medical education, particularly in curriculum development, assessment innovation, and faculty development, integrating clinical practice with contemporary approaches to health education.
She was commended for playing a central role in strengthening early clinical skills education, expanding simulation- and experience-based learning, and advancing assessment systems. Her contributions include involvement in the development and refinement of the objective structured clinical examination, support for the Simulation Center, and participation in establishing the family medicine fellowship program. She has also contributed to the integration of emerging educational technologies, including AI-supported tools for assessment and feedback.
In their testimonials, colleagues described her as “a distinguished educator and scholar in the field of medical education," highlighting her evidence-based workshops and sustained commitment to faculty mentorship in curriculum design, assessment practices, and learner-centered teaching.
Students underscored Dr. Musharrafieh's ability to transform clinical settings into meaningful learning environments, noting that “her feedback is always constructive, thoughtful, and educationally rich." They also highlighted her attentive, individualized approach and her ability to support learners across all stages of training.
“The greatest educators do not simply teach, they nurture; they believe; they care," said Dr. Musharrafieh upon receiving the award. “The role of the teacher is to create the environment where growth becomes inevitable… and long after we are gone, what we choose to nurture is what will remain."
Hagop Panossian, senior lecturer in strategic management at the AUB Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, was recognized for his leadership in experiential learning and his commitment to bridging theory with real-world application. Since joining AUB as a part-time instructor in 2001 and transitioning to a full-time role in 2012, he has developed a teaching philosophy grounded in applied learning and student engagement.
In 2016, with the establishment of AUB's International Business Case Competitions Program, he played a key role in transforming what began as a small initiative into a flagship experiential learning platform. Under his leadership, AUB teams have participated in more than 65 international competitions across multiple continents, earning global recognition.
Nominating colleagues and students highlighted his impact as both educator and coach, noting that he “singlehandedly launched the case competition program." They also praised his “tireless dedication" in training and mentoring students, adding that the many international wins reflect what was described as his “exceptional coaching abilities and commitment to student growth."
He was further described as “a master educator" who creates engaging, practice-oriented learning environments, and as “a life-changing mentor" deeply invested in student development toward international recognition.
“Teaching excellence is never an individual achievement, it is always a collective journey… I have had the privilege of working with some of the brightest students on campus. We challenged ourselves, continuously raised the bar, achieved excellence and internationally benchmarked it," said Panossian. “Thank you, AUB, for making my life meaningful—for giving me a lifelong opportunity to give to my students, and to give back to my community."
Established in 2002 by the Office of the Provost as the AUB Teaching Excellence Award, and renamed in 2024 to carry the name of Saouma Boujaoude to honor a legacy of excellence in mentorship and academic leadership, the award recognizes faculty members whose work reflects exceptional dedication to teaching. Selection is based on a comprehensive review of nomination dossiers, teaching philosophy statements, and evidence of impact. Particular emphasis is placed on pedagogical innovation, mentorship, service to the university, and continuous professional development.