Continuity, solidarity, hope, coexistence, the production of knowledge, and the presentation of USJ’s new projects were on the agenda of the annual meeting between school heads and USJ officials. This meeting was attended by over one hundred representatives of several schools, with the aim of ensuring a successful transition between school and the University. It was held at the Campus of Humanities (CSH) on Damascus Street on Dec. 4, 2018.

“Like your education will be the fruits you reap” is the theme the Department of Information and Student Orientation wished to give this meeting. The fruit is the result of the student’s choice, efforts, passion, and ambition, coupled with USJ’s academic commitment. “But it is also the choice of students’ parents and that of school leaders who know how to discern superior institutions of higher education, how to discern which diplomas have a solid value and a guarantee of employment - because students work hard for them - especially in these difficult times where unemployment is rampant,” said the Rector of USJ in his speech.

The Rector stressed his solidarity with “any student wishing to continue his/her education at USJ and suffering from financial setbacks. Our annual budget exceeds $19 million in financial aid, and there are also other types of grants offered to different categories of students.” “Despite the prevalent difficulties,” reassured Prof. Daccache, “USJ continues to move forward and adapt its programs to the era of the fourth digital revolution, that of robotics and artificial intelligence, which has started to take over universities and businesses.”

“Finally,” announced the Rector, “ESIB will resume its architecture program starting next September, since this program was successful and was only stopped due to the 1975 civil war, in order to meet the multiple demands of students and their parents. Undergraduate English-language programs continue to grow as the Institute of Business Administration (IGE) has launched a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management through its Hotel School Department.”

For his part, Prof. Wajdi Najm, Vice-Rector of Administration, explained how scholarships and financial aid are handled. The new admission procedures were clarified by Prof. Toufic Rizk, Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, and Mr. Pierre Najm, both Admissions Directors. The latest news of ESIB, the Institute of Oriental Literature (ILO), the School of Fashion Design and Modeling (ESMOD), and the Lebanese Institute for Educators (ILE) were presented, respectively, by Prof. Fadi Geara, Fr. Salah Abou Jaoudeh, Mrs. Nicole Massoud, and Mrs. Viviane Bou Sreih. Mrs. Jana Awad, Deputy Director os SIO, spoke about the English-language programs.

A dinner prepared by L’Atelier, the IGE training restaurant, was then offered to the guests in the CSH lobby.