Events

The Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Student Services Office was inaugurated in an official dedication ceremony on Tuesday, August 29. The ceremony included a plaque revealing followed by speeches. The event was attended by generous donor and prominent alumnus​ Khaled Sinno, his family, as well as President Fadlo Khuri, FAFS Dean Nahla Hwalla, AUB officials, guests, and friends.

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) Student Services Office was named after Raji and Fawzieh Sinno in recognition of a generous donation supporting FAFS student services in perpetuity. This section includes student services, IT and career services offices, as well as a welcoming reception area.

Earlier this year, AUB also announced the establishment of the Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Scholarships and the Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Promising Leader in Agriculture Awards. The Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Scholarships in Agriculture will fund ten full scholarships for students over a period of five years. Two new sophomore students from North Lebanon who are in high financial need and are academically talented will be selected for the scholarship each year. The scholarship will cover all fees, ranging from tuition, to dorms, books, and a monthly stipend. The Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Promising Leader in Agriculture Award will be granted to three high school students who have designed the best projects that aim to improve agricultural practices in Lebanon.

Dean of FAFS Nahla Hwalla highlighted in her speech the importance of such an office, as well as the newly established scholarships and awards.

“The Raji and Fawzieh Sinno Student Services Office is the first destination for all our students, and [Sinno’s] contribution will touch all of them,” said Hwalla. “It improves the experience by consolidating student services in one location and presenting academic, IT, and career support services.”

Addressing Sinno, she added: “Mr. Sinno, I am confident that these highly valued donations are forward looking steps that will shape the future of agriculture in Lebanon and enrich the sector with new talents. You are giving hope to those who need it and this will surely lift FAFS and AUB names to higher levels.”
In his turn, President Khuri spoke of the importance of supporting the communities that need it most. He praised Sinno for giving back not exclusively to the faculty from which he graduated, nor to the community to which he belongs, but rather to a sector that needs enriching and could use plenty of support.

“Our whole diverse community is a role model for a fairer and more equitable society that strives to advance knowledge to serve the wider societies. Mr. Khaled Sinno is another fine example of a role model who, after graduating from AUB’s Business School, went on to establish Karma Lebanon and is now determined to use the power of education through our magnificent Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences to raise the quality of life in this country, especially in underrepresented communities,” said President Khuri.

Khaled Sinno shared with the audience some of his reasons behind supporting the region of North Lebanon, where he has been doing business for decades.

“There is a visible contrast between the state of Beirut and Tripoli. Beirut is approximately 40 years more advanced. Tripoli is considered the poorest city on the Mediterranean,” said Sinno. “Through agriculture, I have come to know the area in the north of Lebanon. Our goal is to give hope to people who need it most, so that they could get an excellent education at AUB and provoke change in their communities.”

Khaled Sinno graduated from AUB in 1986 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. He is the owner, chairman, and general manager of Karma Lebanon, wholesalers and exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts. He is also currently serving on the FAFS External Advisory Board.

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