On Thursday 3 November 2005, Ambassador of Lebanon, Mr. Massoud Maalouf, made an official visit to the University of Łódź. The purpose of the visit was to present a number of Arabic books, offered by the Ministry of Culture of Lebanon to the Department of Arabic Studies of the University.

The program, prepared by Professor Marek Dziekan, head of the Middle East and North Africa Institute of International Relations Faculty, began with a meeting with the Vice Rector of the University Prof. Wojciech Katner. The Ambassador then met students from the “International Studies” Department for an exchange about the situation in Lebanon and the current events in the Middle East. The Ambassador also met Prof. Elżbieta Oleksy, Dean of the International Relations Faculty. The visit ended with a meeting that included the Ambassador and the persons in charge of the Arabic Studies Department in the University, with a discussion focusing on the current situation in Lebanon.

Throughout the day the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the important role the Middle East and North Africa Institute of the University of Łódź plays in advancing international understanding of and dialog with the Middle East. The Ambassador was pleased to note that hundreds of Lebanese students over the years have commenced their University studies in Poland by learning Polish at the University of Łódź and he made a commitment to continue his support for this prestigious University.