On May 23, 2025, during a meeting at the Élysée Palace, Mr. Samir Assaf, President of the Administrative Board of Fondation USJ and member of the USJ Board of Trustees, formally presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a special edition of the commemorative book Patrimoine – Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth: 150 ans d’héritage et d’excellence, dedicated to him by Rector Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, as part of the University’s 150^th anniversary celebration.

In his dedication, Prof. Daccache expressed gratitude to President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron for their steadfast support of USJ and Hôtel-Dieu de France throughout Lebanon’s recent crises. He described their solidarity as a reflection of the core values of the French Republic, and extended warm wishes on behalf of the USJ community, reaffirming the enduring bond between France and the University.

President Macron welcomed the tribute, calling the book “a testament to the cultural legacy of USJ.” He thanked Prof. Daccache and emphasized the strong historical ties between France and Lebanon, reaffirming his “profound attachment to USJ, a beacon of Francophonie in Lebanon and the region.”

The commemorative volume, edited under the direction of Prof. Christian Taoutel, and published by Éditions de l'Université Saint-Joseph to mark the University’s 150^th anniversary, chronicles its evolution since its founding in 1875. It highlights USJ’s impact on Lebanon’s intellectual and cultural life and honors its Jesuit heritage and the generations of leaders who have shaped its mission.

More than a historical account, the book affirms USJ’s commitment to academic excellence, research, and service, and stands as a symbol of the University’s role in advancing knowledge and fostering dialogue across borders.

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