The Empire State College Center for Distance Learning and the Center for International Programs Global Strategies Task Force invite the community to the first of the International Webcast Series: "The Syrian Crisis and Its Implications in the Middle East" with presenter Marcel Hinain.

The event takes place Friday, Jan. 17, noon EST, at 113 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY, room 143.

Hinain’s presentation also will be streamed live at www.esc.edu/esc-tv.

Hinain is currently vice president for external relations and development and a member of the board of trustees of the American University of Technology in Lebanon.

He holds a B.A. in economics and an MBA from the American University of Beirut.

He developed the external program with SUNY Empire State College in 1997, and established many other exchange and joint programs with universities in Europe and the United States.

Hinain also developed the tripod model of interaction that links the university with public authorities, or the industry and partner universities for specific majors. He was instrumental in forming the University Advisory Board comprising industry specialists and recognized authorities.

Hinain's department is charged with editing and/or writing most AUT texts for publication, including the catalogue, admissions and department brochures, and the website (www.aut.edu) and handles relations with most external stakeholders, including the media.

He is married, has three children and resides in Lebanon.