Letter from the founder: New President for AUB's Online Collaborative

It is bitter-sweet that after 18 months of success and great memories with a wonderful team, I will no longer be the president of AUB's Online Collaborative since I am graduating from AUB. But I rest assured that the club will be in good hands. Effective February 13, Ms. Loulwa Kalache will be the new president of the AUB chapter.

Kalache, a great personal friend, is a Master's student in Food Technology at AUB and a prominent food blogger. Her first position in Online Collaborative was officer of the Event Planning sub-committee in 2010. In 2011, she was promoted to a cabinet member (Member-at-large) for Spring 2011 then Treasurer for Summer and Fall 2011. Her immense contributions to the team made Blogging Lebanon, Social Media 101 and Social Media Changing Lives possible. Kalache has also played many leadership roles in several organizations at AUB and proved that she is capable of team leadership and professionalism.

I have great faith that the team will continue to become stronger and organize more impressive events in the future.

Hijazi and Kalache during Social Media Changing Lives conference

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who believed in me and Online Collaborative since its founding in 2010. It would not have been possible if it wasn't for our founding adviser Mrs. Dania Dbaibo Darwish who was a great source of encouragement and support, especially when complications arose. Not to forget our current adviser, Mrs. Leila Khauli Hanna, who took on the legacy and showed great commitment to the team which made the club prosper.

I would also like to thank the founding cabinet for being on board and making this happen: Joseph, Jim, Sherif, Gino, as well as the new members to this year's cabinet Raghd, Malek and Weam. A special thank you also goes to Youmna whose efforts made the Social Media Changing Lives conference possible. A humongous thank you to every member of the team, every guest speaker, panelist, performer, attendee and friend who supported us all the way.

Online Collaborative is by far the highlight of my university experience and for me, it is truly "the best club and the best group of students on campus" as Mrs. Hanna usually says. This team of dedicated, creative and hard-working students is really the team to be in, especially in our fast-paced era.

AUB's Online Collaborative did not only introduce me to great people and enrich my experience, but also provide me with great opportunities. I am proud to announce that my role in Online Collaborative is not over. I may be leaving the AUB chapter, but I will be heading a newly-established national NGO which will impact the Lebanese society as a whole (more information in a later post).

Looking forward to a new chapter and more success!

Mohammad Hijazi
Founder, AUB's Online Collaborative
President, National Online Collaborative