At Antonine University (UA), every talent matters, and every student has a voice worth hearing. On May 14, 2025, the Hadat–Baabda Campus was filled with cheers, music, and inspiring performances during the Grand Finale of the Fourth Edition of UA Talent, a signature event organized by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).
What began four years ago, in 2021, during a time of distance and uncertainty has now grown into a powerful platform that celebrates the UA student body’s creativity, resilience, and expressive spirit. This year’s edition drew wide interest and excitement across all three campuses, culminating in a vibrant live show featuring 10 outstanding finalists who took the stage with confidence and talent.
The evening, hosted by Rodolph Hilal, opened with the national anthem performed by the renowned Tania Kassis. A distinguished jury of artists and industry professionals — including Saad Ramadan, Tania Kassis, Nizar Francis, Carol Abboud, Mary Mahfouz, Charles Makriss, and Ralph Maatouk — evaluated the live performances, while the audience cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.
Toward the end of the evening, a special recorded message from Fr. Jean Al Alam, Vice Rector for Integral Human Development, reminded students that UA Talent is more than just a competition, it is a promise that their voices, dreams, and creative expressions will always have a place at UA.
From music and dance to aerial gymnastics, percussion, and fusion art, each act brought something unique to the stage. A standout performance by Joy El Sayegh, who captivated the audience with a bilingual tribute to Dalida, earned her the first-place title. The duo Dana and Wissam, combining salsa and stage chemistry, claimed both the first runner-up position and the People’s Choice Award, reflecting widespread admiration from jury and audience alike. Chadi Oueiss, with his electrifying darbuka show, was named second runner-up.
Winners received cash prizes and free educational credits — a token of UA’s continued dedication to student empowerment through both academic and artistic achievement. In addition, Ms. Tania Kassis gifted all 10 finalists with vouchers from her academy, while Mr. Charles Makriss offered training vouchers to the event’s dancing talents.
As the evening progressed, jury members also took the stage to contribute their own artistry to the celebration. Ms. Tania Kassis performed her original song Chou Mkhaba El Layl, followed by Mr. Charles Makriss with his signature piece Klachinkov. Ms. Mary Mahfouz surprised the audience with a moving rendition of La Vie en Rose, while Mr. Nizar Francis shared a poem that added a poetic dimension to the event’s creative spirit.
The night concluded with a special live performance by Saad Ramadan of his song Chou Mahssoudin, setting an electrifying tone for what followed: a high-energy DJ afterparty led by DJ Marvik, who kept the crowd dancing late into the evening. As part of the end-of-semester celebration, students, staff, faculty, and guests gathered around live food stations and refreshments, enjoying everything from savory bites to sweet treats in a festive, open-air atmosphere. The event marked a joyful close to the academic year — filled with pride, rhythm, and a shared sense of belonging.
The UA Talent stage may have closed for this year, but the creative fire lit by our students continues to shine brightly across our community, fueling the spirit of expression, excellence, and unity that defines life at UA.