On Friday, November 15, 2024, the Rector of the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, the Dean of the Faculty of Science (FS), Prof. Maher Abboud, and the Chair of the Department of Mathematics (DM), Associate Prof. Gihane Mansour Abou Jaoudeh, had the great pleasure and honor of welcoming to the Rectorate the President of the Association des Compagnies d’Assurance au Liban (ACAL), Mr. Assaad Mirza, and its Secretary-General, Mr. Jamil Harb, for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Vice-Rectors for Academic Affairs and Research, honorary deans of FS, Prof. Toufic Rizk and Prof. Richard Maroun, and the Vice-Rector for Administration, Prof. Fadi Geara were also present

This collaboration aims to further strengthen the fruitful partnership between the professional insurance sector and the academic world, particularly the Department of Mathematics. It seeks to advance research in actuarial and financial sciences and risk modeling while also facilitating internships and employment opportunities for students enrolled in the DM’s Actuarial Science program.

In his welcome address, Prof. Maher Abboud emphasized the longstanding and productive relationship between ACAL and FS, particularly through the Master in Actuarial and Financial Sciences offered by the Department of Mathematics. He highlighted ongoing research collaborations between the DM and several insurance companies, expressing optimism for the success of the MoU under the leadership of its coordinators, Associate Prof. Gihane Mansour Abou Jaoudeh and Mr. Jamil Harb.

Associate Prof. Gihane Mansour Abou Jaoudeh expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Rector, the honorary deans of FS, and the Dean of FS for their unwavering support of the Department of Mathematics. She shared her pleasure in collaborating with President Mirza and Mr. Harb, whom she thanked warmly. She reflected on the fruitful partnership with insurance companies dating back to 2005, the year the Master’s program was launched as a dual-degree offering with the Institute of Financial Science and Insurance (ISFA) at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University in France. She also highlighted two international actuarial conferences co-organized by the DM and insurance companies and ongoing research efforts with the professional sector.

President Mirza underscored the strong and multifaceted connections with Prof. Daccache, SJ, and USJ, which he takes great pride in. He expressed his commitment to deepening these ties and reaffirmed ACAL’s commitment to supporting USJ students in their professional careers. He extended his gratitude to the MoU coordinators, Associate Prof. Mansour Abou Jaoudeh and Mr. Harb, for their dedication.

Mr. Harb emphasized the significant potential of the MoU’s initiatives for practicing actuaries in Lebanon, students in training, and insurance companies. He highlighted prospective projects and pioneering studies in actuarial sciences enabled by this collaboration. He also expressed gratitude for USJ and, in particular, for the strategic partnership championed by Associate Prof. Mansour Abou Jaoudeh.

As for Prof. Rizk, he applauded the efforts involved in establishing the MoU, while Prof. Maroun expressed confidence in the collaboration’s ability to yield fruitful research between the DM and the insurance sector in actuarial science and risk modeling. Prof. Geara wished the partnership great success.

In his turn, Prof. Daccache, SJ, expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Mirza and ACAL, acknowledging their contribution to USJ’s mission of delivering quality education, fostering societal development, and advancing Lebanon. He commended FS, especially the DM, for their exceptional work and encouraged Associate Prof. Gihane Mansour Abou Jaoudeh to continue her impactful efforts. He concluded by extending his best wishes to the two coordinators for the successful implementation of the MoU.

Read also: Signature d’un Mémorandum d'entente (MoU) entre la FS-USJ et ACAL
 توقيع مذكرة تفاهم بين كليّة العلوم في اليسوعيّة وجمعية شركات الضمان في لبنان

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