Physical and Life Sciences Alumni Return to Where It all Began

On June 16, the LAU Riyad Nassar Library at the Beirut campus transformed from a repository of books into a living network where physical and life sciences alumni from the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) converged to reconnect, reflect on their academic journeys, and explore new avenues for possible collaboration.

The reunion brought together graduates from various cohorts across decades, all united by their shared foundation in nutrition, biology, chemistry and physics, and further underscored the university’s ongoing commitment to sustaining long-term partnership with its graduates.

In his opening remarks, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Abdallah El Khal highlighted the value of the alumni’s engagement with their university. “It’s an affirmation of the lifelong ties that bind you to your university and one another,” he said, “and we hope these ties continue to grow stronger with time.”

As alumni caught up with their former instructors and professional peers, the conversations served as a valuable opportunity for everyone to reflect on how far they have come. For faculty members, it was also a chance to see how the education they provided had shaped their students’ careers and real-world experiences.

This, in turn, allows them to leverage such feedback to strengthen programs.

SoAS Dean Haidar Harmanani spoke on the importance of these interactions. “Our alumni’s successes and challenges inform how we evolve our programs to stay relevant, practical and forward-thinking,” he said.

Dr. Harmanani also reflected on the evolution of the school’s academic offerings throughout the years. With the expansion of many of the school’s programs, he emphasized the need to stay attuned to industry developments and demands.

“When we hear from alumni about where they are now and what they needed to get there, it helps us rethink how we teach and what we offer,” he said.

Among the returning alumni was Hiam Sinno (BS ‘66), who majored in chemistry and was taught by none other than Dr. Riyad Nassar himself. With over 40 years of service at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), Sinno expressed heartfelt gratitude to her alma mater for equipping her with the foundation required to overcome every challenge in her career.

“My education here stayed long enough with me that I felt the need to pass it on to my children and grandchildren, both of whom pursued their studies at LAU,” she said. “The discipline I developed at the university lived on with me as a parent and grandparent. It’s a legacy I’m proud of.”

Biology alumna Maya Abdel Khalek Madad (BS’ 72) shared this sentiment. Being back on LAU grounds felt like “coming back home, which I never left, because I’ve taken it everywhere with me,” she said.

To her, the university offered a sense of community unlike anything she had experienced elsewhere. “At LAU, I found the freedom to grow intellectually and personally,” Madad said, “surrounded by peers and mentors who encouraged curiosity and, most importantly, independence.”

Building on the success of the reunion, SoAS plans to make it an annual tradition in order to foster meaningful dialogue among its members, strengthen the alumni network, and create opportunities for collaboration in both academic and professional spheres.