1 July 2016. On Friday evening His Holiness Aram I presided over the special celebration organized by the Association of Armenian University Alumni Association, to celebrate the graduates of 2015-2016 from Universities in Lebanon. The celebration was held at the hall of “Cilicia Museum” in the presence of Samuel Mkertician, Ambassador of Armenia, representatives of Armenian Community organizations, parents and around fifty graduates.
Mr Hagop Handian, Chairman of the Association welcomed the guests and the graduates and invited them to join the Association and contribute to its activities. Varanta Yacoubian and Vahé Seferian spoke on behalf of the graduates, thanked His Holiness Aram I and the Association for organizing the evening and promised to bring their positive contribution to the Armenian and Lebanese communities.
Following a brief cultural interlude, Catholicos Aram I was invited to transmit his message. After congratulating the graduates and their parents, His Holiness spoke of brain drain and encouraged the young adults remain and revitalize the community instead of emigrating. Addressing Armenian business owners, he urged them to hire the young graduates with fair pay instead of try to save by seeking to hire persons with lower pay. In his final words, he told the graduates that their diplomas were the beginning of a new learning process that started with their active participation in the church, the community and wider society. He then blessed and gave them souvenirs to mark the event.