A new academic year brings new opportunities to connect, participate, build friendships, and create meaningful memories together.

Middle East University officially introduced its new Student Association (SA) team, inviting students to become active participants in building a welcoming, vibrant, and united campus community throughout the academic year.

Even before the program began, students received a special surprise from the Chaplaincy Department. The chaplain distributed sweets accompanied by personal messages of appreciation written by MEU faculty and staff especially for the students.

Students were also reminded that they are an important part of the MEU community and that every morning, faculty and staff pray for them, their studies, their lives, and their future.

The official program began with the Lebanese National Anthem, followed by prayer and a moment recognizing and congratulating students who had recently distinguished themselves.

Growing Together as a Community

In his remarks, Mr. Farid Khoury encouraged students to support the new Student Association and actively participate in university life.

His message emphasized that the success of campus activities depends on everyone working together. By supporting one another and participating in university programs, students can help create an environment where everyone has opportunities to grow, enjoy their university experience, and feel that they belong.

The goal is to continue developing MEU as more than simply a place to attend classes, but as a friendly and family-like community characterized by unity, friendship, participation, and mutual support.

The Importance of Our Choices

During the program, the MEU chaplain also shared a short message about choices and decision-making.

Students were encouraged to recognize that many of the outcomes they experience in life are connected to the decisions they make along the way. Learning how to make good choices—in friendships, studies, priorities, character, and everyday life—can have an important impact on both their university experience and their future.

Meet the New Student Association

The new Student Association leadership team was then officially introduced.

Malak Awed, who will serve as the SA sponsor this year, presented the team and shared her commitment to supporting its members with guidance, encouragement, and advice as they work on behalf of the student body.

The presentation also gave the members of the Student Association leadership the opportunity to share their vision for the year and how they hope to contribute to student life at MEU.

Activities Created for Students

Darius Marwan Laflouf, President of the Student Association, introduced students to the purpose of the SA and explained that one of its primary goals is to organize activities and experiences especially for MEU students.

He highlighted several of the activities students can look forward to throughout the year, including Snow Time, the Christmas Banquet, Beach Day, cultural activities, social gatherings, recreational programs, and other opportunities for students to spend time together outside the classroom.

The Student Association hopes not only to organize events, but also to help create an active campus environment where students can connect with one another, develop friendships, discover new experiences, and enjoy their time at MEU.

The message was clear: the Student Association exists to serve the students, and student involvement will be essential to making its initiatives successful.

Creating Memories and Friendships at MEU

Karen Firas Hnaini, Vice President of Social Activities, spoke about university life as an opportunity not only to receive an education, but also to build friendships and create memories that can last long after graduation.

Drawing from her own experiences, Karen shared her desire to help organize creative and enjoyable activities for the student community.

Among the possibilities presented were ideas such as Olympic-style competitions, movie nights, themed events, pajama parties, and many other social and recreational experiences.

Most importantly, she emphasized that the Student Association wants to listen to the students.

Rather than simply deciding what activities students should attend, the SA hopes to hear their ideas, understand what they enjoy, and work together as a team to create activities that are meaningful, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

Turning Ideas Into Reality

Abanoub Sedrak Eid Saweras, Vice President of Finance, reminded students that good ideas also need involvement and support from the community to become reality.

He encouraged students to help the Student Association transform its projects and plans into actual experiences that the entire student body can enjoy.

Participation, collaboration, ideas, and support from students will therefore be an essential part of the work of the new SA team throughout the year.

His message reinforced an important principle of the Student Association: these activities are not being created only for students, but should also be built together with students.

Friendship, Faith, and Community

Eli, Vice President of Spiritual Activities, expressed his commitment to supporting and praying for the student community throughout the academic year.

He shared the hope that this will be a wonderful year filled with friendship, meaningful activities, spiritual growth, and memorable experiences.

Students were also invited to participate in a weekly gathering held every Monday at 11:00 a.m., where they can spend time together through board games, snacks, conversations, and friendship.

The gathering provides another opportunity to slow down during the week, meet new people, strengthen friendships, and enjoy being part of the MEU community.

Making This Year Memorable

Rinhard Gouda Merzek Gad, Dorm Students Representative, also shared his desire to contribute to making this academic year a memorable experience for all MEU students.

His message reflected the Student Association's broader vision of creating an environment where students can feel connected to the university community and have opportunities to participate, build friendships, and enjoy meaningful experiences together.

For students living in the dorms, campus life becomes an especially important part of their university experience. The SA hopes to help make the residential experience more welcoming and engaging, while also connecting dorm students with the wider MEU community.

Rinhard emphasized his desire to help students enjoy their time at MEU and to contribute to an atmosphere of friendship, belonging, participation, and lasting memories.

A Student Association Built Around Students

Throughout the presentations, one message appeared repeatedly: the Student Association needs the students themselves to be part of what happens this year.

Darius Marwan Laflouf, as President, helps lead and coordinate the Student Association and its initiatives.

Karen Firas Hnaini, Vice President of Social Activities, focuses on creating opportunities for interaction, recreation, friendship, and memorable experiences.

Abanoub Sedrak Eid Saweras, Vice President of Finance, helps support the planning and implementation of projects and activities.

Eli, Vice President of Spiritual Activities, contributes to the spiritual life of the student community and encourages an atmosphere of prayer, care, friendship, and mutual support.

Rinhard Gouda Merzek Gad, Dorm Students Representative, helps represent students living on campus and contributes to making dorm and campus life more engaging, welcoming, and memorable.

Together, the new team hopes to work with students rather than simply organize activities for them.

A Year We Build Together

The presentation concluded with official photos of the new Student Association team, followed by pizza and refreshments for the students.

More than introducing names and positions, the event represented an invitation.

The Student Association can organize activities and create opportunities, but the experience of university life is ultimately something the entire community builds together.

This year, MEU students are encouraged to participate, share their ideas, support one another, make new friends, and take advantage of the opportunities available on campus.

Because some of the most important things students take from university are not only what they learn in the classroom, but also the friendships they build, the memories they create, and the experiences they share along the way.