The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) successfully concluded its first Festival of Learning, a vibrant two-day event held on May 5-6, 2025, that brought together students, faculty, and staff in a shared celebration of knowledge, creativity, and academic accomplishment. Organized by the university’s Teaching and Learning Committee, the festival marks the beginning of what is envisioned to become an annual tradition at AUB Mediterraneo, an embodiment of its mission to nurture free minds that flourish.

The event transformed the campus into a dynamic learning environment, featuring open classroom sessions, poster presentations, club activities, and invited talks by distinguished professionals. Spanning disciplines and showcasing diverse academic projects, the Festival served as a platform for reflection, collaboration, and idea exchange beyond the conventional classroom setting.

In doing so, it powerfully reflected AUB Mediterraneo’s American liberal arts model of education, which emphasizes interdisciplinary inquiry, student agency, and learning as a holistic, lifelong pursuit.

The invited talks were a highlight, with Dr. Saouma Boujaoude, a leading scholar in science education, exploring student engagement strategies, and Dr. Nicholas A. Ioannides, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, addressing the complexities of migration law. These discussions bridged academic learning with real-world challenges, enriching the Festival’s theme of interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.

“The Festival of Learning is more than a celebration of academic achievement, it is a declaration of our values as a learning community,” said Dr. Amy Zenger, chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee, director of the Institute for Liberal Arts & Associate, and professor of English. “It reflects our belief that learning happens everywhere, through conversation, curiosity, and connection.”

Designed to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and foster a sense of shared purpose, the Festival underscores the university’s commitment to cultivating engaged citizenship and academic excellence.

Dr. Wassim El Hajj, rector of AUB Mediterraneo, affirmed: “This Festival represents a strategic expression of our mission, bridging excellence in education with real-world relevance. By creating this collaborative space, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing critical thinkers and responsible leaders who are prepared to address complex global challenges.”

The Festival of Learning reflects AUB Mediterraneo’s dedication to building a community where knowledge is not only acquired but celebrated, where learning is not confined to the classroom but embraced as a transformative, communal experience.

As the university looks ahead, plans are already underway to expand and enrich next year’s Festival, further cementing its place as a cornerstone of AUB Mediterraneo’s academic culture, reflected in the university’s slogan “Where Free Minds Flourish.”