Saint Joseph University

Saint Joseph University
Université Saint-Joseph

Seal of Saint Joseph University
Latin: Universitas Sanctus Iosephus
Motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Motto in English
 For the greater glory of God
Established 1875
Type Private university
Affiliation Society of Jesus, Catholic Church
Rector Professor Selim Daccache S.J.
General Secretary Fouad Maroun
Academic staff
 1,873 [1]
Administrative staff
 500
Students 12,000
Location Beirut, Lebanon
33°53′28″N 35°30′30″E / 33.89111°N 35.50833°ECoordinates: 33°53′28″N 35°30′30″E / 33.89111°N 35.50833°E
Campus 5 urban campuses in Beirut, 3 regional university centers in Sidon, Zahlé and Tripoli, and 1 in Dubai
Newspaper Presses de l'Université Saint-Joseph
Affiliations International Association of Universities
International Federation of Catholic Universities
Association of French speaking universities
Association of Arab Universities
Website www.usj.edu.lb/en

Saint Joseph University (French: Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, USJ) is a private Catholic research university in Beirut, Lebanon, founded in 1875 by the Jesuits.[2] It ranks as the best[3] to second best[4] university in Lebanon, subsequently among the top academic institutions in all of the Middle East.[5][6] Its alumni include numerous Lebanese presidents, ministers, philosophers, intellectuals, clerics and beyond. As Lebanon's oldest and main French medium university, while promoting Lebanese culture, admission openly disregards any ethno-religious affiliations, encouraging trilingualism of French, Arabic and English. Additionally, it is known for its university hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France.

The 12,000 students enrollment is organised with 1873 academic staff and 500 personnel distributed in 12 faculties, 24 institutes and schools across 5 campuses in Beirut, with regional university centres in Sidon, Tripoli and Zahlé, as well as one foreign situated in Dubai.

The university is the only one in the Middle East to adhere to the European ECTS university academic credits system, yet officially recognised by and in accord with the higher education law of Lebanon. It maintains some 150 various international agreements.

History

In 1839 the Jesuits came to Beirut and established a modest school. This was followed in 1855 by a school in Ghazir, Kisruwan, which would be moved to Beirut in 1875. Legal authorities graced the new school with the title of "university", which allowed it to grant academic degrees, mainly doctoral degrees in philosophy and theology.

The foundation of faculties and institutes followed. For instance, the Institute of Medicine founded in 1883 would become the Faculty of Medicine in 1888. then the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1889. A maternity clinic opened in 1896, followed by the Oriental College in 1902, the School for French Law in 1913 which became the Faculty of Law in 1946. The French School of Engineering also founded in 1913 would become the Higher Institute for Engineering in 1948.[7]

In 2012, the Faculty of Economics launched a new master's degree in web science and digital economy, first of its kind in the Middle East region.[8]

Academics

Saint Joseph University ranks as the best[9] to second best[10] university in Lebanon, rivaling American University of Beirut as the nation's foremost French medium university, subsequently among the top academic institutions in all of the Middle East.[11][12]

Saint Joseph University is known for its faculties of medicine, economics, dentistry and engineering. It is also reputed for law, philosophy and theology. Also, its social sciences campus is known for its competitive bachelor programs that let students pursue Master programs in top universities and business schools in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, USA and Canada.

Additionally, it is also known for its institutions such as CEDRAC and the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory.

Campuses

Campus of Innovation and Sports, Damascus Street, Beirut
Chapel of the faculty of medicine of Saint Joseph University, Beirut

Its Beirut campuses include:

The three regional centers are located in Sidon (south), Zahlé (Bekaa), and Tripoli (north). In addition, the university operates 12 facilities and 22 specialized schools and institutes, including the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory in Université Saint-Joseph Street. It also hosts a center for banking and business studies and three centers for dental care, orthophony, and psycho-motility.

International cooperation

USJ has more than 70 conventions with foreign universities, mainly Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C, USA. It also has more than 200 professors on missions abroad, an administrative office in Paris,

The university belongs to the following associations and is linked to over 100 Arab, European, American, and Canadian universities through accords for cooperation.


Notable alumni and academics

References

  1. ↑ "facts-figures".
  2. ↑ "2007 Annual Report. Université Saint-Joseph Accessed 22 October 2013.
  3. ↑ http://www.4icu.org/lb/
  4. ↑ http://pchrabieh.blogspot.se/2013/04/where-is-lebanon-in-worlds-university.html
  5. ↑ http://www.topuniversities.com/node/9249/ranking-details/world-university-rankings/2013
  6. ↑ http://www.webometrics.info/en/arab_world
  7. ↑ http://www.usj.edu.lb/en/files/history.html
  8. ↑ " .
  9. ↑ http://www.4icu.org/lb/
  10. ↑ http://pchrabieh.blogspot.se/2013/04/where-is-lebanon-in-worlds-university.html
  11. ↑ http://www.topuniversities.com/node/9249/ranking-details/world-university-rankings/2013
  12. ↑ http://www.webometrics.info/en/arab_world

See also