On Monday, February 16, 2026, Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) transformed the Ava Venue in Achrafieh into a hub of ambition, innovation, and professional discovery with the launch of USJ CONNECT – Career Summit 2026. Hosted by the University’s Career and Placement Office (SIP), the summit drew students, alumni, corporate leaders, and institutional partners into a vibrant dialogue that bridges the academic world with the dynamic demands of the professional world.
This year’s summit, themed “Powering Every Sector, Empowering Every Career,” marked a strategic evolution for USJ, unifying previously sector-specific recruitment forums into a single flagship event. The vision was clear: to enhance recruiter visibility, expand student opportunities, and create a nexus where ambition seamlessly meets action.
The event drew an impressive roster of Lebanon’s leadership, including the Ministers of Information, Dr. Paul Morcos; Energy and Water, Mr. Joe Saddi; and Justice, Adel Nassar, Esq., alongside Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ. As they toured the exhibition stands together, Dr. Morcos reflected on the summit’s broader significance. He described it not as a conventional academic gathering, but as a dynamic convergence of knowledge and opportunity. “This event demonstrates that a university is far more than an abstract institution,” he remarked. “It is a space where applied learning meets the labor market, where today’s exchanges become tomorrow’s action.”
Dr. Morcos also emphasized the essential role of the media in highlighting the strong connection between theory and practice across sectors, from finance and banking to commerce, industry, and the wider economy. Initiatives such as USJ CONNECT, he noted, align closely with the Ministry’s mandate and deserve sustained support and encouragement.
For Prof. Boëdec, the summit was a testament to USJ’s enduring commitment to Lebanon’s workforce and development. “This orientation is not new; it is deeply embedded in the University’s history,” he observed. “USJ has always sought to be at the heart of national life, in constant dialogue with those shaping societal and economic progress.” Moving through the bustling exhibition stands, he praised the enthusiasm and engagement of both students and recruiters, underscoring the summit’s role in connecting young talent with internships and guiding them along their future career paths.
Concluding his remarks, Prof. Boëdec emphasized the University’s central responsibility: preparing students with employable skills and equipping them to enter the workforce with competence and confidence. He celebrated the presence of companies representing Lebanon’s diverse economic sectors, highlighting the essential collaborations between USJ and production, service, and knowledge-based institutions in advancing national development and sustainable growth.
Building on this vision, Dr. Ursula El Hage, Director of SIP, described the summit as a defining platform for the University’s mission. “By uniting all economic sectors in a single space, we create a strategic nexus where talent meets opportunity, transforming academic ambitions into concrete career pathways,” she explained. She emphasized that employability extends beyond job placement, encompassing transferable skills, professional mindset, and long-term adaptability.
The scale of participation was remarkable: over 100 companies and organizations across business, law, finance, technology, healthcare, education, social sciences, industry, NGOs, and the creative sectors offered more than 200 internships and career opportunities. Throughout the day, students engaged directly with recruiters, submitted applications, attended exploratory interviews, and benefited from tailored guidance. Thematic panels brought together experts, alumni, and employers to examine the future of work, innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, shedding light on the skills crucial in a globalized economy.
USJ also cultivated long-term engagement through a dedicated collaboration space, fostering partnerships between faculties and companies for applied research, curriculum-integrated internships, and strategic collaborations. The “Wall of Fame” celebrated sponsors and partners committed to advancing youth employability, highlighting the shared investment in Lebanon’s future talent.
To ensure access for all, the University provided free transport from the François Debbané Social Sciences Campus and the Medical Sciences Campus. The Career Fair Plus app further enabled attendees to navigate opportunities with ease, enhancing the overall experience.
In this energized, purposeful environment, students, alumni, and professionals alike departed with more than connections: they carried insight, inspiration, and the first tangible steps toward shaping their careers and the future of Lebanon.
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