In the distinguished Abou Khater Auditorium at the Humanities Campus (CSH) of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), Prof. Salim Daccache SJ, USJ Rector, delivered a compelling address at the annual meeting with school heads. This event, organized by the Student Information and Orientation Office (SIO), showcased the University’s unwavering support for the entire Lebanese school community. Prof. Daccache particularly acknowledged the resilience of schools in South Lebanon as they confront the challenges posed by war.

Welcoming the directors to this esteemed venue, renowned for hosting various academic, cultural, and social events, Prof. Daccache reminisced about the recent ceremony where honorary doctorates were conferred. Lebanese personalities were honored during this event for their outstanding contributions to innovation, solidarity, the empowerment of women, and their unwavering support for education in all its facets.

Prof. Daccache delved into the “USJ, Aspire for More” campaign, recently launched to mark the University’s 150th anniversary. This initiative addresses numerous requests for support, with a particular focus on the crucial need for scholarships. Despite facing financial challenges, Prof. Daccache emphasized USJ’s steadfast commitment to providing educational opportunities and supporting the university community, even in the face of significant cost increases.

Discussing the difficult decision to require families to pay 60% of tuition fees in foreign currency, Prof. Daccache acknowledged the impact on the impoverished middle class, often stripped of their bank deposits. He passionately called for the return of these funds, invoking the moral principle “Thou shalt not steal.” In doing so, he underscored USJ’s dedication to maintaining ethical standards and ensuring accessibility to education for all.

Addressing the concerning trend of young people opting to emigrate post-baccalaureate, the Rector expressed apprehension regarding the potential long-term demographic and educational consequences, foreseeing a potential loss of 15,000 to 20,000 students for the country. In his speech, the Rector shed light on recent accomplishments at USJ, notably the construction of the new headquarters for the Faculty of Medicine (FM), the establishment of the Simulation Center, and an initiative promoting the inclusion of students with neurophysical challenges.

Prof. Daccache also took a moment to pay tribute to distinguished alumni such as Amine Maalouf, a member of the USJ Strategic Board and Perpetual Secretary of the Académie française. Highlighting the success of graduates across diverse fields, the Rector then delved into technological advancements at USJ, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching while underscoring the necessity for an ethical and moral approach to this tool.

Among the notable medical achievements discussed, Prof. Daccache highlighted the strides made by the Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, transforming it into a global center of excellence in ovarian cancer treatment. Additionally, he announced the forthcoming establishment of new branches of the University, including ones in Adma (Lebanon) and Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) demonstrating USJ’s commitment to the French-speaking world. Concluding his address, the Rector underscored USJ’s dedication to fostering citizenship and its pivotal role in shaping future leaders through education and training.

Prof. Fadi Geara, Vice-Rector for Administration, imparted crucial information regarding USJ discounts, scholarship management by the Financial Aid Office, Magis scholarships, and Financial Aid Office scholarships. Prof. Geara emphasized that these measures are designed to ease access to education for all, underscoring USJ’s steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Representing Prof. Toufic Rizk, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Nadine Riachi Haddad, Secretary-General of USJ, unveiled several changes to the undergraduate admissions procedure. These include the elimination of language requirements for applications, a cap on the number of applications for the FM-FMD competitive examination, and admission based on merit. She also detailed the admission periods for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.

In her presentation, Prof. Carla Eddé, Vice-Rector for International Relations, shed light on internationalization at USJ, emphasizing abundant opportunities for students, academic, and administrative staff. She highlighted international agreements, partnerships, and the paramount importance of quality assurance aligned with global standards.

Dr. Jana Aouad, Director of the Student Information and Orientation Office (SIO), provided insights into her office’s activities, upcoming events, virtual open doors for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and publications prepared by the SIO. She also announced the launch of the “USJ Summer Program” project for the summer of 2023-2024, in collaboration with the SIO. This initiative offers immersion workshops in all fields for high-school students.

Dr. Ursula El Hage presented the mission of the Career and Placement Office (SIP) which aims to equip USJ students and alumni with the resources necessary for a fulfilling career. El Hage emphasized that the SIP prepares students to discover their talents, seize market opportunities, and construct their unique career paths.

Mr. Maroun Khoury, the Director of the Sports Office, provided an overview of the diverse range of sporting activities available at USJ, encompassing competitive sports, grassroots sports, leisure sports, and university sports. Gloria Abdo, Director of the Student Life Office (SVE), underscored the values of democracy, solidarity, citizenship, and coexistence embodied by the Office. With 1,600 student members participating in professional, cultural, and civic clubs, Abdo elaborated on the SVE’s oversight of 19 projects annually, promoting student commitment and development within the university community.

The meeting concluded with a delightful cocktail prepared by l’Atelier, the restaurant operated by USJ’s Institute of Business Management (IGE).

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