On Friday, October 16, 2026, H.E. Mr. Patrick Durel, French Ambassador to Lebanon, paid his first visit to Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ). The visit was marked by open dialogue, close ties, and a shared commitment to the future of Franco-Lebanese relations. The Ambassador was welcomed to the Medical Sciences Campus by Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ, in the presence of Prof. Carla Eddé, Vice-Rector for International Relations, the Vice-Rectors, Secretary-General, Deans, Directors, and students from various Faculties. He toured several facilities showcasing the University’s teaching and expertise before meeting with members of the University community.

The morning began with a tour of the Medical Sciences Campus, where Mr. Durel visited MEDSIM - Ralph Audi Medical Simulation Center - USJ Faculty of Medicine, as well as the digital dentistry facilities and the Dental Care Center at the Faculty of Dental Medicine. The visit continued in the auditorium with a meeting between the Ambassador, students, and University officials.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Prof. Boëdec expressed his pleasure at this first visit, which Mr. Durel had hoped to make since his first weeks in Lebanon. He described it as another reflection of the close ties between USJ, its USJ-HDF hospital network, France, and the Francophone community. “The stakes are high for both of us. These are challenges we share on both sides of Damascus Road,” he said. He then turned his attention to the students, describing them as “the very reason our University exists and our most precious asset.”

Mr. Durel expressed his pleasure at being at USJ and recalled the many alumni he had met over the years. He praised “the role USJ plays in Lebanon, the Middle East, and even beyond the region,” highlighting the quality of its education, students, and alumni. He also emphasized the University’s special place as “one of the main driving forces behind the Francophone community in general, and the scientific and academic Francophone community in particular.”

Beyond the immediate challenges facing Lebanon and the region, the Ambassador stressed the importance of long-term commitments, particularly in education. He spoke of Franco-Lebanese cooperation as a relationship that must continue to grow and adapt, built on reciprocity rather than a one-way exchange. Highlighting both France’s contribution to Lebanon and the contributions of the Lebanese to France and the wider world, he stated: “For me, it is truly a balanced exchange,” emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility and mutual enrichment.

This commitment to dialogue was particularly evident during the meeting with students. Four students from different Faculties opened the discussion with questions for the Ambassador, before the floor was opened to the audience. The conversation covered a wide range of topics, including Franco-Lebanese relations, regional challenges, sovereignty, the role of institutions, education, languages, and the place of the Francophone community among younger generations. In an open and direct exchange, students had the opportunity to raise their concerns, gain insight into the realities of diplomacy, and share their perspectives on the major issues facing Lebanon and the region today.

The discussion also explored the practical and human side of cooperation, built through mutual understanding, language learning, cultural openness, and daily collaboration between partners. Mr. Durel highlighted the importance of the Francophone community as a gateway to the wider world and explained that France’s projects in Lebanon rely on continuous dialogue with Lebanese partners. He stressed that cooperation can only be meaningful when it is developed together, with a clear understanding of local needs and realities.

At the close of the meeting, Prof. François Boëdec presented Mr. Patrick Durel with the medal commemorating USJ’s 150^th anniversary and the USJ Heritage Book. A group photograph was then taken with the Ambassador and members of the University community. The visit continued at the Bibliothèque Orientale (Oriental Library), the final stop of a morning that brought the longstanding relationship between USJ and France to life through open discussions and exchanges with students, reaffirming a partnership rooted in history and firmly focused on the future.

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Also read: L’ambassadeur de France à l’USJ