During his recent visit to Lebanon, His Excellency Archbishop Paul-Marwan Tabet, Maronite Bishop of Canada, was warmly welcomed at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the invitation of the Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ.
To honor Archbishop Tabet, Prof. Daccache hosted a convivial lunch at L’Atelier, the training restaurant of the Hospitality Department at the Institute of Business Administration (IGE). The gathering brought together Fr. Salah Abou Jaoudeh, SJ, First Vice-Rector; Fr. François Boëdec, SJ, Vice-Rector; Prof. Fadi Geara, Vice-Rector for Administration; Prof. Toufic Rizk, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Prof. Nadine Riachi Haddad, Secretary-General of USJ; Fr. Jad Chebli, SJ, Chaplain General of USJ; Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea, Director of Fondation USJ; and Mr. Dany Maalouly, Director of Fundraising.
The lunch offered a distinguished forum for thoughtful dialogue on the enduring ties between the Lebanese diaspora in Canada and USJ, as well as the broader challenges shaping higher education in Lebanon. As a mark of respect and recognition, Prof. Daccache presented Archbishop Tabet with a plaque featuring a Cocodus Insignus fossil from Byblos, dating back 90 million years, generously lent by the MIM Mineral Museum – Salim Eddé.
The gift was more than symbolic, it reflected USJ’s commitment to honoring heritage while fostering enduring partnerships. The visit reinforced the University’s relationship with the Lebanese community in Montreal, highlighting a shared dedication to supporting education as a cornerstone of Lebanon’s future.