Haigazian University facts for kids
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جامعة هايكازيان
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Haigazian University logo
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| Motto | Truth Freedom Service. |
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| Type | Private |
| Established | 1955 |
| President | Rev. Paul Haidostian, Ph.D. |
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Administrative staff
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| Location | , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | www.haigazian.edu.lb |
Haigazian University is a special school in Beirut, Lebanon. It was started in 1955 as Haigazian College. Over the years, its name changed a few times. In 1996, it became Haigazian University.
This university offers different types of degrees. You can study for a Bachelor's degree in subjects like Arts, Sciences, Business, and Economics. They also have Master's degrees in these areas. Most classes are taught in English. Some classes are also in Armenian and Arabic.
The Lebanese government recognizes all degrees from Haigazian. This means they are official and accepted. The university was first supported by the Armenian Evangelical community. It was created to help the many Lebanese-Armenian students. But Haigazian University welcomes everyone. Students and teachers from all backgrounds study and work there.
Contents
History of Haigazian University
How it Started
Haigazian University is named after Dr. Armenag Haigazian. He was a respected teacher from Turkey. Dr. Haigazian earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. He chose to stay and help his Armenian community. Sadly, he died in 1921 during a difficult time for Armenians.
Many Armenian schools in Turkey were destroyed. But the dream of education lived on. The Mehagian family, who were relatives of Dr. Haigazian, helped make the university possible. They gave money through the AMAA.
The university officially opened on October 17, 1955. It was started by two groups: the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). They wanted to create a school to train teachers and pastors.
Before 1955, there were other small education programs. These programs helped train teachers and offered college-level classes. They all joined together to form Haigazian College in 1955.
Haigazian College (1955-1992)
When Haigazian College first opened, it was meant to be a junior college. This meant it offered two years of university studies. But many students wanted to continue their education there. So, the college grew and started offering four-year programs.
In 1955, only 43 students were enrolled. By 1975, before some troubles in Lebanon, about 740 students were studying there.
The university started in a house called the Webb Building. It was a ten-room house changed into a college. Later, a seven-story building was added. This building was named the Mehagian Academic Centre. It was named after Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Mehagian, who gave money for it. Another important building, the Mugar Building, was bought with help from Mr. Stephen P. Mugar.
Haigazian was known as a "College" until 1991.
Becoming a University (1992-Present)
In 1992, the name changed to Haigazian University College. Then, on December 28, 1996, the government officially allowed it to be called Haigazian University.
Many leaders have guided the university. Dr. John Markarian was the first president. He served until 1966 and then again from 1971 to 1982. Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian became president in 2002.
When it opened in 1955, there were 43 students. Before 1975, about 650 students were enrolled. Today, around 750 students attend Haigazian University. There are also about 150 teachers and staff members. More than 2,700 students have graduated from Haigazian.
Since 1995, the university has also offered Master's programs. These include studies in Education, Psychology, and Business Administration.
University Buildings
Haigazian University started in the Webb Building. This was a house that became the first college space. Later, a seven-story building was added. This was named the Mehagian Academic Center. It honored Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Mehagian, who helped pay for it.
Another building, the Mugar Building, was bought with a gift from Mr. Stephen P. Mugar. This building is a beautiful old structure.
In 1987, because of a war in Lebanon, the university moved. Classes continued in a different area called Ashrafieh. On March 27, 1996, the university decided to return to its original campus. This campus is on Rue Mexique, Kantari. Renovations began in February 1997. By October 1997, classes were back in the newly fixed campus.
In 2001, a fourth building was built on the Mugar property. It has a media center, meeting rooms, and offices for teachers. This building opened in October 2001. Another new building on May Ziadeh street was ready for use in 2010.
What You Can Study
Haigazian University has different departments, called Faculties. Each Faculty offers many subjects.
- Faculty of Humanities:
* Arabic and English languages * History * Music and Art * Armenian language and culture * Religion and Christian Education
- Faculty of Applied Sciences:
* Biology * Chemistry * Computer Science * Mathematics * Physics * Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences:
* Education (for teaching young children or older students) * Political Science * Psychology * Sociology * Social Work
- Faculty of Business Administration:
* Management * Finance * Accounting * Economics * Hospitality Management * Management Information Systems * Advertising and Communication
Degrees You Can Get
Haigazian University offers different degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts: This usually takes about 3 years to complete.
- Master of Arts: This usually takes about 2 years after a Bachelor's degree.
- Bachelor of Science: This also takes about 3 years.
- Master of Science: This also takes about 2 years after a Bachelor's degree.
The Rocketry Program
Haigazian University has a cool history with rockets! A group of students and a teacher named Manoug Manougian formed the Haigazian College Rocket Society (HCRS). This group later became part of the wider Lebanese space program. They even made the first rockets in the Arab World that could fly high into space!
In November 1960, students and their Math and Physics teacher, Manoug Manougian, started the HCRS. They worked on building rockets. They didn't have all the fancy equipment, so they had to test their rockets by launching them. After some tries, they succeeded!
In April 1961, they launched a rocket that went about one kilometer high. With more improvements, another rocket, HCRS-3, flew up to 2,000 meters.
The Lebanese President, Fouad Chehab, was impressed. He met with the students and gave them money to help with their project.
In 1961-1962, the society worked on two-stage rockets. These rockets could go even higher. On May 25, 1962, their HCRS-7 Cedar rocket launched 11,500 meters high! The Lebanese Army helped keep the launch safe. Later that summer, two more rockets, Cedar II B and Cedar II C, flew about 20 kilometers.
Because of their success, more students joined. In 1962, a new group was formed called the Lebanese Rocket Society (LRS).
On November 21, 1962, the Haigazian group launched Cedar-3. This was a three-stage rocket. It was 6.80 meters long and weighed 1250 kg.
After more launches, there was an accident in 1964 where two students were hurt, but they recovered. After that, the rocket launches stopped. Even though Haigazian students didn't walk on the Moon, their work inspired more students to join the university. In the 1960s, when the U.S. and U.S.S.R. were racing to the Moon, Haigazian College was also part of the space excitement!
A special postage stamp was made in 1964 to celebrate Lebanese Independence. It showed one of Haigazian College's Cedar rockets.
See also
- Haigazian Armenological Review
- Armenag Haigazian
- Hagop Barsoumian
