USJ Exams Beyond Borders: Assisting Displaced Students Affected by the War

Since the outbreak of tragic events in Lebanon in September 2024, the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) has remained committed to delivering quality education, adapting its teaching methods to meet the challenges of an increasingly unstable security situation.

To maintain academic continuity, USJ offered courses in person and online, both synchronously and asynchronously, ensuring that all students—whether displaced or abroad—could keep up with their studies.

A significant challenge soon emerged complying with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s mandate for in-person exams.

By November, with midterms approaching, USJ had over 450 students spread across 43 countries spanning the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

In response, the University developed a plan to conduct exams at regional centers outside Lebanon. Led by the Vice-Rector for International Relations, the initiative was supported by USJ institutions, teams in Paris and the United States, as well as international partners.

Ten campuses and centers were set up, including USJ offices in France and the U.S., USJ Dubai, USJ Côte d'Ivoire, and partner institutions such as the American University of Cyprus (AUCY), ESLSCA University-Egypt, the French Institute for Anatolian Studies (IFEA), the Institut Français in Istanbul, the Institut Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO) - Amman, and the Université Française en Arménie.

Partner institutions provided venues, infrastructure, and staff to administer exams in close coordination with USJ. A carefully structured schedule accounted for time zone differences and national holidays in each country, often requiring multiple versions of the same exam to accommodate logistical constraints.

Students were able to select their exam center based on visa requirements, travel costs, and other practical considerations.

Through this initiative, USJ reaffirmed its resilience and commitment to academic excellence, adapting to the challenges posed by the crisis and ensuring students could continue their education despite the crisis, while upholding rigorous standards for the youth and the broader Lebanese community.