In a joyful ceremony held at the Middle East Airlines Training and Conference Center in Beirut, the American University of Cyprus (AUCY), in cooperation with the Global Health Team of Experts (GHTE), celebrated the graduation of the first batch of the “Public Health Pioneer” certificate program.
The celebration was held on February 16, 2026, under the patronage and presence of His Excellency the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Rakan Nasser Al-Din, and His Excellency the Minister of Social Affairs, Ms. Haneen Al-Sayed. The occasion witnessed the presence of distinguished figures, including His Excellency the former Minister of Public Health, Professor Muhammad Jawad Khalifa, as a guest of honour, the Chief of Staff of the Lebanese Army, Major General Hassan Odeh, and Dr. Tariq Sadiq, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Cyprus, in addition to the presence of a number of representatives, religious, economic and educational figures, professionals from the health sector, and representatives of the authorities concerned with public health.
The ceremony began with the playing of the Lebanese national anthem.
Master of Ceremony’s speech:
The journalist, Mr. Yazbek Wehbe, the emcee of the ceremony, welcomed the distinguished attendees and their Excellencies, expressing his gratitude for their presence and support. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Rakan Nasser Al-Din, the Minister of Social Affairs, Ms. Hanin Al-Sayyid, the former Minister of Public Health, Professor Muhammad Jawad Khalifa, and the Chief of Staff of the Lebanese Army, Major General Hassan Odeh, in addition to representatives, religious leaders, and representatives of the health and social sectors, were particularly saluted.
The Journey of the American University in Cyprus:
Mr. Farid Heikal, Director of Admissions and Marketing at the American University of Cyprus, reviewed the university’s history since its founding, pointing out its development from a nascent institution to a distinguished university in the region. He stressed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, international standards, and enhancing its role in community service.
He also highlighted the university’s scholarship initiatives to support Lebanese students, stressing the university’s belief that education is a powerful tool for empowerment and nation-building.
President of the American University of Cyprus – Dr. Marc Antoine Zabal:
In his speech, Dr. Marc-Antoine Zabal praised workers in the health sector in Lebanon, praising their steadfastness and dedication, especially under difficult circumstances.
He renewed the university’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese health sector through specialized training programs aimed at developing human competencies and supporting health care strategies based on prevention. He stressed that investing in capacity building is the cornerstone of developing health systems capable of facing challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Former Minister of Public Health – Professor Muhammad Jawad Khalifa:
Professor Khalifa stressed that this graduation represents a national milestone that goes beyond the academic aspect, noting that investment in public health is an investment in national stability and societal security.
He praised the launch of an accredited program designed specifically for workers in primary health care centers, noting its compatibility with the Ministry’s strategic direction towards moving from curative care to prevention and health promotion.
He also stressed the importance of providing health teams with practical skills in the areas of epidemiological surveillance, awareness campaigns, crisis response, and risk management, especially in light of the recent regional and global health challenges.
Minister of Social Affairs – Her Excellency Mrs. Haneen Al-Sayed:
Minister Al-Sayed emphasized that graduating “Public Health Leaders” is more than just an academic achievement, but rather a practical step towards strengthening the health and social protection system in Lebanon.
She highlighted the increasing coordination between the Ministries of Social Affairs and Public Health, especially in linking the “Aman” social support program with primary health care services, supporting people with disabilities, and responding to the needs of displaced people in southern Lebanon.
She explained that the Ministry is working to modernize social development centers and strengthen case management systems within a comprehensive framework that integrates health care, social protection, and economic inclusion.
In her speech to the graduates, she called on them to transform knowledge into tangible impact through policies and community initiatives.
Minister of Public Health – His Excellency Dr. Rakan Nasser Al-Din:
Minister Nasser Al-Din congratulated the graduates in his speech, stressing that primary health care is the foundation of any sustainable health system.
He pointed out that the historical excessive focus on hospital care led to high health care costs, especially in light of inflation, stressing that prevention and early detection are the most effective and most economically feasible investment.
The Minister also reviewed the recent reforms adopted by the Ministry of Public Health, including setting a financial ceiling for primary health care centers after approving the general budget, to enable these centers to operate without financial obstacles and to pave the way for concluding contracts similar to those signed with hospitals, based on the number of beneficiaries and services provided.
He also stressed the complete institutional harmony between the Ministries of Public Health and Social Affairs, describing the cooperation between them as complementary and data-based, especially in the areas of social support and health service provision.
Minister Nasser Al-Din concluded his speech by emphasizing that strengthening primary health care remains a national priority, thanking the American University of Cyprus and its partners for their contribution to building capacity in Lebanon.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates to graduates in a festive atmosphere, in an important step towards strengthening leadership in primary health care and supporting the human cadre of public health in Lebanon.
