Outlook
V . XLI, 5. 418, 2012 W ednesday vol ol XlIvN,, oAn.pril o VTol . XLIV, No. 19 1, 2011 ueSday , november
The IndependenT STudenT publIcaTIon SInce 1949
اوﺗﻠﻮك اوﺗﻠﻮك First AUB PhD graduate in Cell and Molecular Biology Lojine Kamel Editor-in-Chief
Known as one of the most prestigious institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the American University of Beirut (AUB) has recently crossed another milestone with the introduction of a PhD program in Cell and Molecular Biology. Their very first graduate, Dr. Akram Ghantous, completed his PhD only this year, much to the excitement of the Biology Department and AUB as a whole. Biology professor Dr. Nadine Darwiche served as his thesis advisor, and was “a great support throughout my PhD” insisted Ghantous. He also always felt “fortunate” to having Drs. Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Heikki Vuorela, Marwan ElSabban, Najat Saliba, and Rabih Talhouk as his PhD committee members. Add to this that he strongly acknowledges the Germany embassy in Lebanon, the German government, and
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the laboratory of Dr. Regine Schneider-Stock (Friedrich-Alexander University of ErlangenNuremberg, Germany) for supporting his PhD research. As the first PhD graduate in the entire Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) since the Civil War, over 30 years ago,, Ghantous was subject to several new policies and regulations. “I often felt like a guinea pig,” relayed Ghantous, speaking of the newly developed PhD program. He spoke of the immense pressure he experienced during his last semester, including tight schedules, having PhD committee members from Lebanon and abroad, research duties, academics, graduating demands, and even proctoring, not to mention the demands of being a family man. Continued on page 4
Investigation: What have the SRC’s been up to this year? Sarah Khalil Staff Writer The Student Representative Committee usually gets the most attention at the start of every academic year at AUB during the busy election season. After candidates campaign to their hearts’ content, the votes are cast. For the remainder of the year most of us forget about what’s going on behind the scenes and we take for granted that each committee in every faculty is working hard to improve some aspect of student life. Seeing as the year is just about drawing to a close, Outlook decided to check up on them. Each SRC president was asked questions regarding three simple topics. 1. What have the faculty’s SRC’s plans for this Academic year been so far? 2. What has been accomplished? 3. What obstacles have you been facing in
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The 4th annual Civic and Volunteering Fair
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accomplishing your goals? Unfortunately, there was no response from the Faculty of Medicine SRC, but all others answered graciously. See what your faculty has been up to: Karl Hilal, president of the FAFS SRC, was satisfied with how things have turned out, describing the plans as having been “well prepared and successful.” The main events have been Christmas and Easter parties, in collaboration with the Nutrition, Food sciences, and Agribusiness societies at AUB. Currently, the SRC is working on an AREC Day, a sports even in the Bekaa that all members of the AUB community will be invited to attend, and the annual Gala dinner for this year’s graduates.. Lack of time, according to FEA SRC president Wissam Bechara, is the biggest obstacle for his
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Lebanese media targeted by Syrian fire
plans, which is extremely evident in all that’s been going on. Of its original plans of a FEA ski trip, charity mission, the annual AUB rally paper, sports tournaments, and myriad faculty improvements, two have been accomplished – the ski trip and charity event, the latter of which was facilitated by a successful stand-up comedy show. Meanwhile, sports events are in the works, with one basketball tournament being planned for the end of the month, and the rally paper gathering sponsors. Other improvements to the faculty, which are confidential at the moment, are slated to take place during the summer session, so FEA students can expect to see any number of noticeable changes at the start of the Fall 2012-13 semester. Continued on page 4
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