Dr. Suha Safiyiddeen, Chairperson of the English Department at Haigazian University, served as a distinguished panelist at the prominent education conference, “Educate to Innovate,” hosted by the Lebanese American University (LAU) on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The symposium convened leading academic voices to deliberate on the intersection of creativity, innovation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and the human dimensions of modern education.
Representing Haigazian University, Dr. Safiyiddeen emphasized the institution’s commitment to active professional engagement and continuous alignment with evolving pedagogical trends. During the proceedings, she advocated for the preservation of the human element amid rapid technological integration, asserting that regardless of the sophistication of digital tools, exceptional teaching fundamentally originates and culminates within the framework of human relationships.
The panel discussion revolved around two thematic inquiries critical to contemporary regional discourse:
• AI, Technology, and the Human Core of Teaching: Panelists examined strategies through which educators can embrace technological innovation while safeguarding the relational and humanistic dimensions of instruction. Dr. Safiyiddeen detailed how Haigazian University actively instills this delicate equilibrium within its pre-service and future educators, ensuring that technical proficiency does not eclipse empathetic pedagogy.
• The Paradigm of Innovation in the Lebanese Classroom: The dialogue explored the authentic definition of an innovative educator within the specific socio-cultural context of Lebanon. Dr. Safiyiddeen offered her perspective as an educator of educators, identifying the foundational qualities that should be recognized and celebrated in the modern classroom.
Throughout the session, the distinct institutional ethos of Haigazian University was explicitly highlighted. The university continues to uphold its long-standing, proud tradition of humanistic education, focusing its curricula on cultivating not only technically skilled graduates but also thoughtful, principled, and civically engaged citizens prepared to navigate a digitally augmented world.