Maroun N. Chammas Scholarship Funds

To encourage the entrepreneurship spirit among young people who want to live in and innovate their country against all odds.

It was during an emotional meeting, and in a familiar and fraternal atmosphere, that the signing of the protocol for the "Maroun N. Chammas" scholarship fund took place, on Friday, December 20, 2019.

In fact, Maroun Chamas, President and Executive Director of Berytech, made sure to hold this ceremony with his “three” families: his close family, more precisely his children, the Berytech team, which he considers as his second family, and the big USJ family.

In his speech laced with emotions, Maroun Chammas explained the reasons that led him to the establishment of this Fund intended for the students of the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Management and Administration, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Engineering and the “Ecole libanaise de formation sociale”.

This Fund will allow USJ to grant scholarships to students with entrepreneurial projects that address a societal issue.

Because, for Maroun Chammas, entrepreneurship is in his blood, and he wanted to pass on this passion to as many young people as possible through the competition for the Maroun N. Chammas scholarship. According to Mrs. Carmel Ghafari Wakim, the General Secretary of “Fondation USJ”, this scholarship fund, as well as the project "Maroun Chammas recognition award", launched by Mr. Chammas, are "projects that bring hope to young people who believe in our dear Lebanon", and are a sign of gratitude and encouragement to those young people who want to live in and innovate their country against all odds.

During the ceremony, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., rector of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), addressed Mr. Chammas and said that the name of Maroun Chammas, who is associated with several industrial, commercial and economic activities, "can only be linked to Berytech, which I consider to be the flagship of your multiple achievements."

The rector also added: “Through your commitment to Berytech, you are at the service of creativity and innovation among young people, of their rooting in Lebanon, and of the wealth they carry in them through education, which is our most important asset. Through Berytech, you are working to further anchor faith in our country, and to promote solidarity by multiplying initiatives with banks, embassies, and international organizations. I believe that you will double your efforts in the midst of these difficult times, to preserve the mission of this institution."

"Berytech also embodies resistance through resilience! What this national jolt we are experiencing has taught us is to be clear-sighted and to have strong ideas for our actions. Today, you are taking action by creating this fund, and you are presenting a new sign of attachment to the values of the University, which is celebrating its 145th anniversary, and which continues its mission by relying on its friends and partners, to better serve and be closer to our young people," concludes the Rector of USJ.

Chammas specified that he wanted "this ceremony to be a family reunion: mine and USJ's!”. “It is important today,” he added, "to give hope to people, not only to the poor but to everyone. Berytech has proven that it is an essential structure for entrepreneurship in Lebanon. The countries that advance us money are all ruled by serious governance; so even though I consider Berytech my own company, I ask the University Council to revoke my appointment as director if I risk failing in my obligations, because there is an ecosystem at Berytech that is delivering results, in Lebanon and elsewhere, thanks to a talented team."   

After the signing of the protocol, Prof. Daccache presented Mr. Chammas with the "Portrait of USJ" which he autographed for him, and the ceremony ended with a cocktail.