STEPHANE ATTALI

GOOD CONNECTIONS

ESA is managed according to the norms of the best business schools in France and Europe. Since it is managed by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP), and being an associate center of ESCP Europe, ESA benefits from their expertise, their educational resources, and know-how.

HUMAN CAPITAL

One of Lebanon’s major assets is its human capital. There is a very important gap between the level you find here in terms of education and the level you find in the rest of the region. Families invest in education in a very big way right from the beginning.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

We look to distinguish ourselves in the market through innovation, international recognition, accreditation, rankings, and the quality level of the faculty. But the most important differentiation is our teaching techniques.

RENE CHAMUSSY

IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning Saint Joseph was a school of theology, and soon after it became more related to an Islamic way of thinking and relations between Islam and the West. With the help of France and the University of Lyon, schools of law, medicine, engineering, and so on were established.

RESEARCH

Ten years ago the university began research in Lebanon and decided to dedicate 2% of tuition fees toward such projects. This has allowed us to do a lot of research.

A UNIVERSITY OF FIRSTS

We were the first university in the Middle East to have a Confucius institute, and we have very good relations with universities in China and Japan. We also have very good relations with institutions in Canada and the US, and we think that all of these create very good opportunities for us.

PROF. DR. AMR GALAL EL-ADAWI

RICH HISTORY

Beirut Arab University (BAU) was established in 1960. It was started with the support of the Egyptian government. At that time there was no better institution than BAU, and it attracted people from all over the Middle East. We started with two, then four faculties. Now there are 10, covering most of the main educational domains.

NO PROBLEM THERE

There are a lot of Lebanese graduates. It is good that they have opportunities to work abroad. I have no fears of a brain drain. When a Lebanese graduate works abroad, it means he or she will bring back foreign currency to the country. The Lebanese have strong links to their country and family, so the money will always come back.

DIRECTION OF CHANGE

I would like to see an upgrading of education regulations, as they are mostly relics from the past. We need to produce people with quality. Lebanon must review its education laws, and monitor the performance of universities. If universities are not up to standard, action should be taken.

© The Business Year