A Graduation ceremony was held on Friday the 21st of October 2016 at the Higher Institute of Banking Studies (ISEB) of Saint Joseph University (USJ) and the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) on the campus of Social Sciences at USJ.
This ceremony was held under the patronage of ISEB Management Council presented by its president Professor Salim Daccache, Dr. Francois Bassil, Mr. Ghassan Assaf, Dr. Makram Sader, and the Director of the Institute Professor Camille Assaf, in the presence of many Lebanese banks and business representatives as well as the parents of the graduated students.
78 graduates divided as follow:
1. Bachelor in Banking Studies: 19 graduates
2. Master in Banking Studies: 35 graduates
3. Higher Diploma in Banking Studies: 24 graduates
The ceremony began with the Lebanese anthem, followed by:
1. Welcome speech delivered by Professor Camille Assaf, Director of ISEB: After welcoming all the attendees he said that this evening is a very special one because we celebrate together the first graduation for ISEB students in the presence of such a large number of banks representatives and family members of graduated students. We are proud of this event that represents the results of forty-nine years of continuous work and solid cooperation between USJ and ABL.
Since the founding of the institute in 1967, which was formerly known as the Centre of Banking Studies (CEB) and later became known as the Higher Institute of Banking Studies, ISEB still on the right path of development, progress and success.
Prof. Assaf conclude that “As you can see, you are here, we are all here to celebrate that special event and hopefully next year we will celebrate, together, the fiftieth anniversary of our ISEB.
2. Word of Professor Salim Daccache S.J., Rector of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut
“It is always a joy for me as President of USJ, to share, with you graduates, this time of excitement and pride when students are there in their last moments of the academic curriculum preparing to receive their diploma. This is an amplified joy to see you ready, dear graduates of the year 2015/2016, to receive your diploma from the Higher Institute of Banking Studies, heir to the great CEB, the Centre of banking Studies that became since 2013 an Institute that offers bachelor and master degrees and later a PHD. You will receive a diploma from an institute that is building its education and academic program on the intervention of the best academic and banking professionals instructors and lecturers.
It is by virtue of Decree No. 9749, published in the No. 4 Official Journal of 27 January 2013, the Higher Institute of Banking Studies (ISEB) was established jointly by the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) and Saint Joseph University (USJ). This has been and is a true asset to the profession, asset which resides in the academic partnership of USJ and professional ABL. USJ guarantees a high quality of education that is highly known nationally, regionally and in an international level, and the ABL’s banks members that allows ISEB to benefit from their experience.
Dear friends, dear graduates, if I have something to say, as an academic observers, about the economic realities, I would say first that banks, especially Lebanese banks, are among the largest employers of the Lebanese private market and recruit hundreds of new employees every year, providing opportunities for a fascinating local and international career. Second, You made the right choice to embark on studies, to obtain a BA or a Master in banking studies, so you can position yourself adequately for a reference position in a bank or in a financial institution. Still to say that these banks are facing economic and financial problems, fluctuations and regulations that require them to have the best professionals for the management of their varied heritage. Similarly, they need the best professionals in order to promote customer loyalty, particularly through a strong commercial development of their network. Thus, the role of professional bank is moving towards consulting business with higher added value, and sales. I'm sure you've received well, if not, the best academic technical training in a special academic environment, here in your institute, for you to be able to meet your own challenges and those of the institutions to which you belong or in which you will have to operate. You, the Graduates of an institution like ISEB and an Association like the Association of Banks in Lebanon, You have the task that consists on the respect for ethical rules and the respect for the more rigorous government regulations of the bank. A large French banker said recently: “in each of us remains a Jerome Kerviel that has become a symbol of breach of trust, forgery and use of forgery and suspicious transactions”.
Dear friends, you will have a professional role and an official responsibility regarding the rules of banking ethics and of corporate social enterprise principles. I sometimes receive reports of some Lebanese banks on what they achieve, on the level of social responsibility, from the career management environment, to their employees, through the aid to youth, to continuous training time and to the help for regional development. This part of the life of the bank, today, will hold strong attention from your institute to adapt its programs and to provide more training to its students that are complete as possible.
Someone said: "The global economy remains an abstract concept as long as it does not have a bank account." This means: be of good help to many people, and especially young people who are engaged in life and who will need your advice. This diploma that you wanted, for which you worked hard and seriously you've earned. Congratulations to each and every one of you, always be good ambassadors of ISEB and USJ. We are proud of you as engagement models for service and excellence for better Lebanon prosperity and success.
3. Speech of Dr. François Bassil President of Byblos Bank Group: Dear President of USJ father and dear friend Professor Salim Daccache, Dear Prof. Camille Assaf Director of the ISEB, and all other members of the educational and administrative team.
Dear Guests, The banking sector operates years ago in a state of uncertainty and instability prevailing political, security, economic and social conditions in several parts of the world, especially in the surrounding region. As Lebanese banking sector we are completely open to the outside, and are completely involved in regional and international markets. These difficult conditions imposed by the international challenges, include: First, strict adherence to the exact global banking industry standards and the strict application of transparency and disclosure rules and the fight against money laundering and financial crimes and tax evasion, in order to keep Lebanon within the international financial system. Second, keep pace with the development of banking technologies and with the adoption of modern technology and methods of work in the banking sector applications. Third: the diversification of banking services and products to meet the different needs of customers, individuals and institutions, which needs diverge and are constantly increasing with the requirements of contemporary life, in both consumption and investment. Fourth: the growing anticipation for the various types of risks, and adequate provisioning and monitoring necessary for a snack of emergency in some markets and countries negative fluctuations. Fifth: raising the level of human resources and increase the degree of their eligibility and efficiency, both theoretically and practically, as the efficiency of human capital is one of the Lebanese banking sector differential advantages for decades. The best proof of this is that university graduates are now representing 76% of total employees in this sector. This is one of the highest ratios in the world, what makes us honored and proud.
We are proud today, specifically, by the role of the Higher Institute of Banking Studies, that was established by USJ and ABL in Lebanon in 2013, after the close cooperation and partnership between the two successful throughout the 46 years through the Centre for Banking Studies.
We express our satisfaction today for the good improvement of the quick launch taking place in the Institute, which is increasing the number of students and participants to academic programs of ISEB. In my testimony, in reference to what happened lately, the adoption of ISEB by the monetary and supervisory authorities (BDL) as an Academic Institute qualified for the preparation of bank employees to a number of advanced and specialized certifications like LFR and Credits. There is no doubt that these two indicators reflect the confidence of the management of the Institute and the level of academic achievement provided for its students, whether they are from within the banking family or from outside, which is derived confident in the end of the prestigious place occupied by USJ between Lebanon and the region's universities, which, it is a big role played for nearly a half century in terms of preparing generations of leaders and cadres outstanding and prominent in various economic, social and national sectors and in different areas of public and private life. While we applaud the President Father Professor Salim Daccache for the sponsorship of this young Institute and his tireless efforts to support its objectives to reach the highest goals that are established for it, we would like to applaud as well the great support of the Board of Directors and the representatives of the banking family in which, in particular the give the institute an adequate attention and support the valuable efforts to enable it to perform his role as the best in the service of Lebanon, its people and its economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, my colleagues, bankers, and the members of the Board of ISEB, I wish all the graduates my sincere congratulations coupled with best wishes for more success and advancement in their careers, and to a better tomorrow. Thank you.
4. Speech of the President of ADISEB the Alumni of ISEB M. Fouad Touma: After welcoming the audience, He added that “He is very happy for standing today in front of all of you to receive ISEB’s third batch of graduates in Bachelor and first in Master, Who will join the veterans of the CEB to work together and make it a successful association by the blessing of Professor Salim Daccache, with the help of the director of the Institute Professor Camille Assaf. This association will be an integral part of the Union of Veterans USJ Alumni. We wish the graduate success, progress and the pride of belonging to the ADISEB, the Association of the graduates of the higher Institute for Banking Studies.
5. Speech of the graduates’ representative Mr. Tony Yaghi: After welcoming everyone, He added that he is happy to be designated to represent his fellow graduates. What can be said on this valuable occasion for our success to get the diplomas or for the opportunity given to us to study and learn in a high-level of academic environment, or for belonging to ADISEB?
Dear Colleagues, Allow me, on your behalf to speak with great appreciation and gratitude to all those who have taken us up in our studies, trained us and supported us throughout the last years. Thanks to USJ represented by its President Professor Salim Daccache, and to ABL represented by the chairman of Byblos Group Dr. François Bassil. Thanks to the administration of ISEB represented by its Director Professor Camille Assaf, to our teachers and dear friends.
Five years already, and now, we are ISEB graduates in bachelor and master degrees, thanks to our families, our parents and to the banks to which we belong. Thanks to the ISEB Graduates, who we are in hundreds and most of them held the highest positions in the banking sector, and with their presence they ensured the success and continuity of the Lebanese banking sector.
Thanks to USJ that represents for us: an Institute and a family that we are proud of belonging to it. Thanks to ABL, thanks to our banks who gave as the chance of success, and to become university graduates. Dear Colleagues, Congratulations to our success and congratulations to our families.