On Monday April 14, 2014, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) granted a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Business Administration and Commercial Sciences to Mr. Salim Sfeir, Chairman and CEO of Bank of Beirut, in a ceremony initiated by USEK President, Fr. Dr. Hady Mahfouz and members of the University Council. Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutro Sfeir, the representative of Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai, Bishop Boulos Sayah, the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme and Assistant Generals, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, His Excellency Mr. Nohad El Machnouq, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, His Excellency Mr. Elias Abou Saab, Members of the administrative board of Bank of Beirut, in addition to a group of religious, political, military, legal, syndical, municipal, economic and cultural figures all attended the ceremony.
The Dean of the Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences, Prof. Nehme Azouri praised Mr. Sfier stating that “He is one of the poles of the business sector in Lebanon. He is a good example of great ethics and a man of values and principles.
After a documentary on Mr. Sfeir’s career and achievements, Fr. Dr. Hady Mahfouz, President of USEK, described Salim Sfeir as “…a successful and distinctive administrator.…He talked, two years ago when he accepted our invitation, of being the keynote speaker in the graduation ceremony in July 2012, when he named positivity as the path towards constancy in the nation - and he led students towards this positivity by asking them not to put migration as their aim in life. His talks in personal meetings also come from a heart full of faith, trust and strength.” Fr. Dr. Mahfouz added: “He built a banking world of which he is proud, along with every person looking at the deeds of this adventurous and bold man – who bears a strong and a good heart.”
Then Fr. Mahfouz cloaked Mr. Sfeir’s with the gown of the Doctorate Honoris Causa “The gown of the heart and business, which is the mark of your excellence in the management field. It is a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the heart, in the heart and to the heart.”
The representative of His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rai, Bishop Boulos El Sayah, congratulated Mr. Sfeir “…because he knows how to bring together human wisdom, just spirituality and the world of finance and business. Due to all this, he succeeded in giving what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and what belongs to God to God.”
Finally, Mr. Salim Sfeir took the floor and said: “This Honoris Causa means the world to me. In fact, it is a fulcrum in the journey of the communicative relationship between the University and Bank of Beirut group, which I am honored to chair, here and in the world.” Then, he addressed the youth: “Do not fear for tomorrow and fear what destiny hides for you. Be aware that your vision and your resilience create your capacity. Your capacity leads you towards achieving your goals. Set your goals and draw your future and your destiny with your own hands, armed with the vision, the education and knowledge, which you have acquired from your university and your environment. Do not become frustrated by your nation and do not let anxiety or fear control you. Do not look at immigration as the exit that will pave the way for wealth, money and quick profit.” He concluded: “This Honoris Causa granted to me today is a direct reflection of my professional career and my success in achieving my goals.”