On November 1, 2023, Rafik Hariri University celebrated its annual Founder's Day under the patronage of Mrs. Nazik Rafik Hariri, the President of the RHU Board of Trustees and the President of Rafik Hariri Foundation. The celebration coincided with Martyr Rafik Hariri's birth date. The RHU Board of Trustees member Dr. Daoud Sayegh was the keynote speaker at the event.

This year's Founder's Day celebrates Martyr Rafik Hariri's forward-thinking mindset, which empowered him to drive long-lasting change through an unwavering commitment to education and learning.

The event began with the Lebanese national anthem and a moment of silence in memory of the late prime minister and RHU Founder Martyr Rafik Hariri. RHU Assistant Professor Dr. Lara Abou Orm then welcomed the dignitaries, faculty, staff, and students who attended the Founder's Day celebration, MP Mr. Mohamad Al Hajjar, representing H.E. Saad Hariri, Mrs. Huda Tabbara representing Mrs. Nazik Rafik Hariri, Former Minister Samir Jisr, President of the Beirut Development Association Mr. Ahmad Hashmieh, and the Director General of Rafik Hariri Foundation Mrs. Salwa Siniora Baasiri.

Dr. Hiam Lotfi, the RHU Interim President, welcomed the attendees and described this event as a time to celebrate RHU and honor its founder. “Rafik Hariri University is still vibrant with the lessons learned from the founder. We have inherited his determination, unwavering commitment, and a firm belief in the power of education to change lives and enrich the nation,” she said. Dr. Lotfi also emphasized that “the RHU community derives its energy and strength from the promise they made to realize the dream of Martyr Rafik Hariri.”

She concluded by saying, "Let us pay our respect to the one who sacrificed his life for the nation and education. Rededicating ourselves to the principles, ideals, inclusive values, academic excellence, and steadfast pursuit of truth that he cherished will honor his memory. We pledge that our university will continue to be a place where his dream thrives. Dreams and the pursuit of knowledge remain the driving force for progress. As a united academic community, we can ensure that the legacy of our founder, the Martyr Rafik Hariri, lives on and continues to make a positive impact on the world."

The Director General of Hariri Foundation, Mrs. Salwa Siniora Baasiri, delivered a message from Mrs. Nazik Rafik Hariri, urging the RHU family to preserve the legacy of its Founder. Mrs. Hariri emphasized that the university was built on the cornerstone of knowledge, with a vision to create a healthy society and nation reconciled with itself and with others, in support of humanitarian, moral, and patriotic principles to which Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was committed. She also expressed her concern for the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza. She prayed for God's mercy for the martyrs and speedy recovery of the innocent wounded.

Mrs. Hariri emphasized the need for leadership that embodies the spirit of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The kind of leadership that turns vision into reality, promotes loyalty for Lebanon and peaceful coexistence and prioritizes dialogue and understanding to build a state that represents the aspirations of the Lebanese people. She highlighted that Rafik Hariri sacrificed his life to achieve his dream of a free, sovereign, and independent state governed by law and institutions.

The ceremony's keynote speaker, Dr. Daoud Al-Sayegh, paid tribute to late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, saying, "All the days are his days because the foundation he built does not wither in time and is not shaken by adversity since it is more vital than it.” He believed that RHU was one of the foremost signs of loyalty to the late Prime Minister and thanked Mrs. Nazik Rafik Hariri for generously patronizing the university.

During his speech, Dr. Al-Sayegh encouraged the students to focus on the future instead of getting frustrated about the present. He emphasized the importance of trust in building a country, for trust is the foundation of any successful country that aims to be a cultural crossroad and bridge between the East and the West. “Since its inception, RHU has fostered generations of believers in hard work and perseverance, providing opportunities for knowledge, specialization, and vision to face challenges and forge a better tomorrow,” he said.

To conclude the event, Mrs. Hoda Tabbara, the representative of Mrs. Nazik Hariri, Mrs. Salwa Siniora Baasiri, and Dr. Lutfi presented an honorary shield to Dr. Al-Sayegh. The shield had the slogan of the Founder’s Day and was presented in the university's name. All were then invited to a reception outside the main theatre.