In a cosy setup on February 1st, LebNet co-hosted a lunch with the Worldwide American University of Beirut Alumni Association chapter in San Diego.
The sold out event drew over 65 people who got the chance to hear Guest speaker Professor Gabriel Rebeiz talk about his experience at AUB, how he was the youngest AUB graduate (he graduated when he was 17 years old) and how the university is still going strong despite the financial crisis in Lebanon.
Prof. Rebeiz is a Distinguished Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, where he also serves as the Wireless Communications Industry Endowed Chair. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is considered as one of the fathers of tunable radios for 4G, affordable phased arrays for satellites and 5G, and high resolution automotive radars for collision avoidance.
LebNet’s chairman and AUB Trustee George Abdo Kadifa also gave a few words on how the university is coping with the current economic situation, based on his recent trip to Lebanon in January. Kadifa noted that 60 percent of AUB’s students are on financial aid. He contributes with Rebeiz to AUB’s fellowship fund to help students pay their tuition fees.
Jeanine Akiki informing the audience about LebNet’s programs and initiatives
Jeanine Akiki, a retired executive in the tech industry and LebNet board member, concluded the event by briefing the audience on LebNet’s mission and initiatives. In addition to a partnership with the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at AUB, to exchange knowledge and support students, LebNet has also launched Outsource Lebanon, a call-to-action initiative to encourage members to outsource work to Lebanon. The initiative aims at employing 100 people in 100 days. Today, 11 percent of the initiative’s target was met.
Those who have jobs that can be outsourced to Lebanon can visit this page to learn more about how they can contribute.