Throughout July 2026, Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) celebrated a series of graduation ceremonies bringing together students from its various faculties, institutes, and schools. Held at the Science and Technology Campus in Mar Roukoz, these evenings were among the highlights of the academic year, combining emotion, pride, gratitude, and confidence in the future.

The ceremonies were opened by Mrs. Christine Omeira Wazen, Director of the Publications and Communication Office (SPCOM), who welcomed the graduates and their loved ones. She highlighted the exceptional nature of these evenings, destined to remain engraved in everyone’s memory as the conclusion of years of effort, perseverance, and commitment. She also highlighted the uniqueness of this edition, whose opening music had been composed with the help of artificial intelligence, illustrating “a beautiful encounter between human creativity and new technologies.”

In the presence of the Vice-Rectors, Deans, Directors, faculty members, families, loved ones, and numerous figures from the academic, scientific, professional, and institutional worlds, the Rector of USJ, Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, 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. He paid tribute to the families, professors, and all University 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 praised the resilience that the students had demonstrated throughout their studies. Despite economic, social, and security-related difficulties, they pursued their journey with determination, showing a remarkable ability to adapt and a profound commitment to their educational goals.

The Rector invited them to remain deeply attached to Lebanon, whether they choose to build their careers in the country or pursue their paths abroad. He called on them to keep this question alive throughout their professional lives: how can each of them, in their own way, contribute to the country’s development, recovery, 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.

Throughout these ceremonies, USJ had the honor of welcoming several prominent figures as guests of honor. These included Dr. Elias Chelala, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians; Dr. Pierre Anhoury, a French-Lebanese physician specialized in public health; H.E. Mr. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture, renowned scientist and instructor-researcher at USJ; H.E. Ms. Rima Abdul Malak, former French Minister of Culture and executive director at L’Orient-Le Jour; as well as Mrs. Lamia Moubayed Bissat, Director of the Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan.

Through their respective speeches, these guests of honor shared their personal and professional experiences with the new graduates. Each, according to their own journey and field of expertise, encouraged them to practice their profession with competence, integrity, and a sense of responsibility, while remaining open to innovation, civic engagement, and service to the common good.

As a token of recognition, the Rector presented each guest of honor with a commemorative medal or the artwork created for USJ’s 150^th anniversary.

The Federation of USJ Alumni Associations also took part in each ceremony to welcome the new graduates into the wider alumni community. The Federation’s representatives recalled that receiving a diploma does not mark the end of one’s connection with the University, but rather entrance into an international network of graduates called upon to uphold the values of USJ, support future generations, and contribute to enhancing the standing of their alma mater.

The top-ranking graduates then spoke on behalf of their classmates. Looking back on the years spent at USJ, they expressed their gratitude to their families, professors, and all University staff. They spoke of the challenges they had faced, the friendships they had formed, the lessons they had learned, and the hopes that now accompany their entrance into professional life.

As a particularly symbolic moment of each ceremony, the graduates collectively took their class oath, followed by the new doctoral graduates taking the Doctoral Oath of Scientific Integrity.

The ceremonies concluded with the official presentation of diplomas, a particularly anticipated and emotional moment. To the warm applause of families, professors, and guests, each graduate stepped onto the stage to receive the diploma crowning several years of effort, perseverance, and excellence.

Also read: Les cérémonies de remise des diplômes 2026 de l'USJ