On April 11 and 12, students and staff of Middle East University presented the Easter musical Bow the Knee with excellence and passion. Set against the backdrop of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, the production tells the story of a Roman centurion torn between loyalty to Caesar and the life-changing love of Christ. The performance was marked by outstanding music and acting, drawing an audience of around 400 people over two nights at the newly renovated Arise Beirut venue in Achrafieh. Congratulations to every participant for their dedication and superb work.
This semester, MEU is in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan to guide our growth over the coming years. A key part of this process involves listening to our stakeholders through surveys and focus groups. Participants included prospective students, current seniors, alumni, industry leaders, and partner institutions. I had the privilege of personally conducting a focus group with alumni and industry professionals. The discussion emphasized high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence and digital marketing, highlighted employer concerns about graduates’ practical experience and soft skills, and pointed to the importance of aligning academic programs with labor market needs. Suggestions included implementing mentorship programs and mandatory internships. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed insights—your input is instrumental in shaping MEU’s future.
In April, we also launched our new marketing campaign, “Study Now, Pay Later.” This campaign spans 107 billboards across Beirut and a dynamic online presence via social media and Google Ads. At its core is the “Honor Loan Program”, an innovative initiative funded by the Cesan Family Scholarship Fund. This program provides qualified students with up to 80% tuition support, with the understanding that graduates will “pay it forward” to benefit future MEU students. Additionally, we’ve signed agreements with 15 feeder schools, offering preferential scholarships and streamlined admissions. Together, these efforts are designed to increase awareness, spark interest, and drive student enrollment.
In the final two weeks of April, MEU Dean of Student Life Farid Khoury and I had the pleasure of visiting alumni and friends in California. The goals of our trip were to share updates from MEU, strengthen existing relationships, build new ones, and raise funds for key initiatives. Through a series of individual and group meetings, we connected with around 100 people and received donations and pledges totaling over $1 million. Thanks to this remarkable generosity, students will continue to benefit from the Worthy Student Scholarship Fund, and the long-awaited Student Center project is moving closer to realization.
Thank you for walking with us during this exciting season of progress and transformation. Together, we are shaping servant leaders who will uplift communities across the region and beyond.
