The President of the Board of Trustees and Founder, Ghada Hinain, alongside the Vice President for External Relations, Marcel Hinain, recently undertook an official visit to Spain – an academic and symbolic mission underscoring resilience, continuity, and international collaboration in the face of ongoing adversity in Lebanon.
In Madrid and Valencia, the delegation met with colleagues from the University for the Third Age at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, reaffirming a shared commitment to lifelong learning. The visit carried particular weight: amid the disruptions caused by war, the message from AUT Halat–Fidar was unequivocal – education, especially for senior citizens, is not a luxury to be paused, but a societal obligation to be sustained. Through dialogue and partnership, both institutions emphasized that cultural enrichment and intellectual engagement must remain accessible to older adults, even in times of national uncertainty.
The discussions highlighted practical avenues for collaboration, including program continuity, remote learning adaptations, and joint cultural initiatives. More importantly, they reflected a deeper philosophy: that lifelong education fosters dignity, social inclusion, and psychological resilience – elements that become even more critical during periods of instability.
The visit continued in Teruel, where the delegation engaged with international partners, including the President of AIUTA, Françoise Vellas. There, preparations were underway for an upcoming academic presentation focusing on Almudéjar architecture – a rich, hybrid artistic tradition that itself embodies cultural coexistence and historical dialogue. The choice of topic was far from incidental; it mirrored the broader mission of the visit – bridging cultures, preserving heritage, and promoting knowledge across borders.
Taken together, the trip was not merely diplomatic or academic. It was a statement of intent. At a time when conflict threatens to disrupt educational ecosystems, AUT’s leadership demonstrated that institutional vision must remain outward-looking, collaborative, and steadfast. The message carried from Lebanon to Spain was clear: even in the shadow of war, the pursuit of knowledge – and the commitment to serve all generations – endures.
