The Rector of Antonine University (UA), Father Michel Jalakh, presented the UA Silver Pen to the Regional Director of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) in the Middle East, Dr. Hervé Sabourin, in tribute to his commitment to working for the Francophone Universities in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The ceremony started with a musical performance given by the Baroque Music Ensemble of the Faculty of Music and Musicology and took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the Our Lady of Seeds Chapel at Antonine University. The Personal Representative of the President of the Republic of Lebanon in the Supreme Council of the Francophonie and member of the AUF Board of Directors, Professor Jarjoura Hardane, attended the ceremony alongside with Vice-Rectors, Deans, AUF Directors, and AUF officials.

In his speech, Father Michel Jalakh talked about Professor Sabourin's achievements, who is at the head of the AUF-DRMO since 2014. Father Jalkh highlighted the implementation of highly relevant and strategic planning and the efficient and fruitful partnership with the universities, which allowed to develop and increase collaborations in teaching and research under the themes of quality assurance, digital, and internationalization.

Professor Sabourin expressed his gratitude and emotions in front of this beautiful distinction, the Silver Pen, granted to him by Antonine University, an institution and community with whom he shares an unfailing friendship, an emotion full of sadness for leaving Lebanon, a country close to his heart.

Professor Hardane, on behalf of the President of the Lebanese Republic, congratulated Professor Sabourin for this Silver Pen, which denotes the remarkable achievements accomplished during his term of six years, as well as Father Jalakh for this outstanding initiative.