The Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) hosted the 2025 National Gathering of School Principals at the Abou Khater Auditorium on its Humanities Campus. The event brought together over 300 school principals from regions including Tripoli, Tyre, Chouf, Zahle, and Baalbek, as part of USJ’s 150^th anniversary celebrations.

The gathering began with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by the University anthem, both performed by the USJ Choir under the direction of Yasmina Sabbah. In her opening address, Jana Aouad, Director of the Student Information and Orientation Office (SIO), welcomed attendees, emphasizing the gathering as a platform for educational partners to connect, exchange ideas, discuss challenges and successes, and strengthen the educational community. She also expressed appreciation to the Campus-J student newspaper team for their engagement with school principals during this event.

A commemorative video chronicling USJ’s 150-year journey preceded an address by Rector Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, who reaffirmed the University’s educational mission. Since its founding in 1875, USJ has been committed to delivering rigorous scholarship and a humanistic vision of education in partnership with Lebanon’s schools.

He extended heartfelt gratitude to the assembled school principals, acknowledging that without their collaboration, USJ’s knowledge would remain unshared, lacking the vital connection to the broader educational community. Highlighting the transformative power of education, he described it as a beacon of hope and trust amidst contemporary uncertainties. As Plato observed, education equips the soul to withstand the challenges of fate.

Reaffirming USJ’s foundational values, he emphasized the University’s commitment to cultivating independent, critically engaged, and socially responsible individuals. While honoring its Francophone roots, he highlighted USJ’s openness to global challenges, noting that it offers over 35 programs taught in English. Prof. Daccache highlighted these initiatives as not merely technical advancements but as deliberate responses to the imperatives of social justice and human solidarity.

Highlighting social commitment, he revealed that nearly $20 million (one-third) of USJ’s annual budget funds social and academic scholarships, and he thanked student support services and donors for sustaining this effort.

Prof. Daccache appealed for a genuine spirit of unity within Lebanon’s educational landscape, urging schools to look past divisions and collaborate as a single community. He argued that forging strong partnerships between USJ and local institutions is essential to nurture Lebanese talent and encourage them to build their futures within the country.

Reflecting on the University’s journey through successive crises, he commended USJ’s resilience in adapting and expanding its mission while honoring its heritage. “Today, we uphold the values passed down to us, laying a solid foundation for the future” he said. He concluded by affirming his conviction that Lebanon’s resurgence depends on an education that empowers young people to be skilled, inventive, and deeply compassionate.  

Under the guidance of SIO Director Jana Aouad, the event featured testimonials from three distinguished USJ alumni, each reflecting on the University’s lasting influence on their personal and professional journeys. Economist and political commentator Albert Kostanian opened the session with a heartfelt reflection of how USJ shaped his identity and fueled his commitment to Lebanon’s development.

“It is an honor to be here,” he began, recalling his transfer from the Lycée Franco-Libanais in Beirut to USJ. “The decision felt natural. At 17, I wasn’t thinking about a career, I was thinking about Lebanon. USJ represents the Lebanon we value and hope to restore.” For Albert Kostanian, USJ goes beyond academics. “It’s the university of the city. It has always stood by Lebanon and reflects its spirit.” He also spoke about the impact of its diverse community: “At USJ, I came to understand Lebanon in all its diversity. It’s a true cultural hub and a cornerstone of national identity.”

Addressing young parents, he delivered a powerful message: “USJ is a pillar, a shield, and a tool for building a future in Lebanon.” He underscored the university’s international standing with his late admission to Sorbonne. “The dean welcomed me by saying, ‘I don’t often have the pleasure of welcoming someone from USJ.’”

Filmmaker and art therapist Zeina Daccache shared her journey from Keserwan to USJ’s renowned IESAV program. After an unfulfilling start at another university, one she found too narrow in perspective, she transferred to IESAV in Beirut. There, she met Director Aimée Boulos, whose encouragement to push creative boundaries shaped her path. Through a program focused on collaboration, global perspective, and hands-on learning, USJ became a true turning point in her career. Today, she proudly looks back as a graduate of an institution that sparked her artistic vision.

Actor-director Carmen Bsaïbes described her master’s in cinema at USJ as the defining moment of her career. The program offered a space for deep research, a nuanced grasp of film language, and the freedom to shape her creative vision. Bsaïbes said the rigorous training sharpened her ability to embody characters, read scripts with insight, and make thoughtful career decisions. She praised the seminar series, led by both local and international professionals, for broadening her perspective and teaching her to balance discipline with imagination. USJ gave her not only a space for critical self-reflection but also the practical tools to forge her path in a demanding industry.

Sixth-year medical student Louis Daou shared a moving story of perseverance and gratitude. Raised in a modest household, he earned his French baccalaureate with highest honors yet faced financial barriers to higher education. An unexpected encounter with an SIO representative introduced him to USJ’s scholarship programs, and against the odds, he secured a spot through the university’s special medical entrance exam. Today, he is thriving at USJ, crediting the institution for its academic guidance and personal support. He paid tribute to the values of solidarity and commitment the university instilled in him and affirmed his determination to carry them into his medical career.

Business administration student Shaza Husseini spoke warmly about her long admiration for USJ. Although she received offers from other universities in Lebanon and France, she chose USJ for its strong and relevant program. She found an inspiring environment, supportive mentors, and personalized career guidance that opened many doors. She ended by expressing deep gratitude to USJ for the confidence, encouragement, and inspiration that have guided her throughout her journey.

Finally, alumna Katia Touma reflected on the challenge of selecting a university for her daughter amid Lebanon’s uncertainty. Moved by the SIO’s outreach to their school, she rediscovered at USJ the values, rigor, and openness that shaped her own years on campus. For Katia, choosing USJ represents a commitment to local excellence, a bridge between past and future, and most importantly a hopeful investment in Lebanon’s next generation.

The gathering concluded on a warm and convivial note with a heartfelt performance by the USJ Choir. Guests then enjoyed a dinner prepared by L’Atelier, the training restaurant of IGE. The evening was a meaningful celebration, set to music performed by students from the USJ Faculty of Medicine.

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