Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) celebrated the second graduation ceremony of 2026, bringing together graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy (FP), the School of Medical Lab Technicians (ETLAM), the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FMD), the Faculty of Nursing Science (FSI), and the Faculty of Science (FS) on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the Science and Technology Campus (CST) in Mar Roukoz

The ceremony started with the welcoming speech by Mrs. Christine Omeira Wazen, Director of the Publications and Communication Office (SPCOM), who recalled that this evening celebrated far more than the awarding of diplomas. She stressed that it paid tribute to journeys marked by perseverance, encounters, and challenges overcome, while praising the constant support of families. Looking back on USJ’s 150^th anniversary, celebrated the previous year, she noted that a new page in the University’s history was now being written by this new generation of graduates. “This evening celebrates much more than diplomas: it celebrates journeys, encounters, challenges overcome, and dreams that are taking flight today,” she said.

Taking the floor, Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ, shared that he was also experiencing a special moment. Appointed to head the University last January, he was presenting diplomas for the first time to students who had completed their academic journey under his mandate. Addressing the graduates directly, he invited them never to forget their journey or those who had accompanied them on the way to this achievement.

The Rector paid tribute to the families, professors, and all the staff who contributed to their education, recalling that their success is above all “a collective victory.” Referring to the multiple crises Lebanon has faced in recent years, he highlighted the resilience that the students had demonstrated throughout their studies.

The Rector then invited them to remain attached to Lebanon, whether they pursue their careers in the country or abroad, calling on them to constantly reflect on how they can contribute to its development and reconstruction. Finally, he encouraged them to maintain a strong connection with their alma mater, recalling that for more than 150 years, USJ has educated not only competent professionals, but also women and men guided by discernment, commitment, and service. “Be proud of your University, defend it, support it,” he urged them, before concluding: “Today, history is being written for you. Tomorrow, you will write a new chapter in medicine, and we are counting on you!”

The guest of honor at the ceremony, Dr. Pierre Anhoury, a French-Lebanese physician specialized in public health, emotionally shared his attachment to USJ, expressing his regret at not having graduated from the University. He paid a heartfelt tribute to his father, a former professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, who taught generations of pharmacists at the University.

In his speech, Dr. Anhoury paid tribute to a class he described as the “generation of accumulated crises,” which pursued its studies despite the health, economic, political, military, and societal crises that have deeply affected Lebanon. He considered that their diplomas rewarded not only the knowledge they had acquired, but also the courage they had demonstrated in the face of adversity. “Your diploma does not only reward the knowledge you have acquired; it bears witness to the courage you have demonstrated,” he said.

Addressing these future pharmacists, dentists, nurses, laboratory technicians, and scientists, he called on them to put their excellence at the service of the country, despite intense competition and the difficulties facing the sector. He invited them to remain faithful to the values of ethics, intellectual integrity, and humanity, recalling that these qualities would remain irreplaceable, even in the age of artificial intelligence.

In recognition of his career and commitment to healthcare, the Rector of USJ presented him with the University’s 150^th anniversary medal.

Taking the floor on behalf of the Federation of USJ Alumni Associations, Ms. Daisy Abboud looked back on her own graduation ceremony forty years earlier at the Faculty of Pharmacy, in a context marked by war. She highlighted the contrast between that intimate ceremony and the scale of today’s celebrations, before inviting the new graduates to become fully aware of their belonging to the large USJ alumni family.

She reminded them that they were now joining a community of more than 100,000 alumni around the world and that they, in turn, were becoming ambassadors of the University’s reputation. Urging them to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, freedom of conscience, independence, openness, and social commitment passed on by USJ, she stressed the importance of solidarity between alumni and new graduates. “From now on, you are the image of USJ,” she said.

On behalf of all the graduates, Rawan Ghais, top-ranking graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy, delivered an emotional speech, retracing the journey of her class from their first dreams to their realization. She recalled that behind every diploma lay years of work, sacrifice, and perseverance, stressing that this generation had learned to move forward despite uncertainties and hardships.

She spoke of the human values acquired at the University alongside academic skills, stating that USJ had enabled students to discover their passions, build their ambitions, and develop a profound sense of solidarity.

The top-ranking graduate also expressed her gratitude to parents, professors, Deans, Directors, and all University staff, acknowledging their support throughout these years of study. Finally, she recalled that healthcare and scientific professions represent, above all, a commitment to the human person. “Today, we receive a diploma. Tomorrow, we will build a future,” she concluded.

The ceremony continued with the graduates’ solemn oaths. Lynn Habib, top-ranking graduate of FSI, took the oath of her Faculty. Eight FS graduates — Maria El Khoury, Marc Moussan, Ibrahim Rajab, Marwa Mehialddine, Kevin Ibrahim, Giovanni Farès, Clarita Daou, and Maria Sebaaly — then took their class oath. Finally, the Doctoral Oath of Scientific Integrity was taken by Dr. Eliane Farah, holder of a PhD in Chemistry from FS, reaffirming the importance of ethics and rigor in scientific research.

The most eagerly awaited moment of the evening, the official presentation of diplomas, honored the graduates’ efforts to the applause of their loved ones and professors. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Sacha Lebbos, an FS graduate, offering an artistic and emotional conclusion to the celebration.

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Also read: Cérémonie de remise des diplômes aux étudiants de la FP, l’ETLAM, la FMD, la FSI et la FS-2026