BEIRUT: Talal Makdessi, founder and CEO of The Holding Group, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik earlier this week. Makdessi, who is also chairman of the Makdessi Foundation, received a business and commercial services degree at a ceremony held on the campus by USEK president Fadi Mahfouz and the administrative board. Political, religious, military, judicial and social figures, as well as Makdessi’s family and friends attended the event.