Saint Joseph University Dubai celebrated the graduation of a new batch of students who have obtained the Bachelor of Law degree offered by the University in Dubai since 2008, a degree that has obtained an academic accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates.
The ceremony was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Dubai, in the presence of His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors & Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA), His Excellency Sami Al Numair, the Consul-General of Lebanon, and Professor Salim Daccache, the Rector of Saint Joseph University, Professor Léna Gannagé, the Dean of the School of Law, Professor Fayez Hage-Chahine the Honorary Dean, Dr Nisrine Abiad, the Director of the Dubai Branch, senior judges and advisors in the UAE and Lebanon Courts, and the attachés of the Arab embassies in the country as well as the professors residing in the United Arab Emirates, and the students' families.
In his speech on this occasion, His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami referred to the ancient history of Saint Joseph University and its advanced position, while he considered the occasion an opportunity to speak with his daughters and sons, the graduate students.
His Excellency spoke about the importance of education, the challenges facing the region, and the idea of supporting the education sector in the United Arab Emirates. He called on students to face challenges and work constantly to develop themselves and increase their knowledge because science is continuous and never ends. He also recommended them to possess the tools of the age and the future, and those related to the principles and ethics of the profession.
His Excellency stressed that science is the main tool for empowerment, in addition to being the basic and original weapon in the past, present and future. In the past, and without education and knowledge, humanity would not have civilizations or progress, as there was no trace of arts, literature, industrial revolutions, and astonishing rapid development we are currently witnessing in technologies, communication networks and artificial intelligence.
His Excellency mentioned that the prosperity in the United Arab Emirates was based on the cornerstone of the flag, which was laid by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, "may God have mercy on him," upon the establishment of the state, and it is the same approach followed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, "may God protect him", and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, "may God protect him", and their Highnesses, members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
His Excellency reviewed a set of tools and methods through which students can overcome all challenges, whether on the scientific or professional and practical levels, pointing to the need for people to learn and benefit from successful experiences.
Dr. Nisrine Abiad had started the ceremony with a speech in which she welcomed the attendees, especially the graduate students and their families, and the attendees notably the rectorat of the university, the deans, and members of the educational body. She also thanked the Emirate of Dubai and the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his support of this academic project to build leaders in the legal field throughout the country.
For her part, Dean Léna Gannagé congratulated the new graduates on the success, citing the symbolism of celebrating the graduation of an elite group of students from a branch of the most prestigious universities in Lebanon, specifically from a college that has more than 138 years of experience in the academic and legal field, which provided the students affiliated with it with paths of success, progress, scientific and knowledge excellence, in line with the aspirations of the Emirate of Dubai and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Gannagé advised the new jurists not to trade in the law and called on them to defend “the widow and the orphan” as well as defend the interests of the major companies that they trust.
The Rector of the University, Professor Daccache, considered that the joy is great because it culminates in a partnership that brought together nine years, Saint Joseph University and the Government of Dubai. On this historic occasion, he revived the history of this partnership from its birth until today, starting with the Saint Joseph University’s call to establish a branch in Dubai entrusted with preparing the legal elite in the country, until the completion of the mission and graduating distinguished students whose role in the labor market has resulted in distinct success stories. On the identity of the university and the solidity of its program, and urging students to work hard in order to return to the homeland what it gave them, and for this government to give the investment that it invested in them. One of the most prominent success stories that resulted from the Bachelor of Law program in Dubai is the appointment of a graduate judge in the DIFC Courts, another consultant in the Petroleum Company, ENOC, and legal advisors and researchers in federal government agencies such as the Ministry of Education and local, such as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), and the Supreme Legislation Committee and others.
Then, certificates were distributed to the recent graduates who gave speeches thanking the college and their professors, and a dinner party was held to celebrate the occasion.
