University of Balamand

The University of Balamand (UOB) draws on the heritage of the Monastery of Balamand which was built during the Crusades in the 12th century. The modern university was formally established in 1988 at the direction of His Beatitude Ignatius IV, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on a land grant on the grounds of the monastery. UOB is heir to a long tradition of scholarship on the Balamand Hill and in the Antiochian Orthodox and Christian Church. It is a private, non-profit, independent institution, performing its mission through teaching, research, and service to the community. Its identity is Lebanese and Arab, it follows the American system of higher education, and the scientific process in academic inquiry. Its policy is pluralistic open to all faiths. The University relies on knowledge, dialogue and openness to all cultures, East and West, as the way to further cooperation, peace and harmony, and as the means to a prosperous future for upcoming generations.

One of the key aims of the University of Balamand is to provide an intellectual, moral, and cultural antidote to the long years of internal war in Lebanon. Founded at the end of the war years, UOB strives to prepare students to live in a society where such destruction and waste will no longer be possible. Education at the UOB prepares students not only to perform a job, but also to think creatively, to interact constructively, and to find appropriate solutions to a variety of problems.

The main University campus is located in North Lebanon near the city of Tripoli. Catering essentially to students from Lebanon and the entire Arab East, it now has more than 3200 students from 29 nationalities. Its main campus stands on 500,000 m2 with 28 buildings. The principal language of instruction is English. The University operates under a decree from the Lebanese Government, and the degrees it offers are accredited by the Lebanese Government and recognized by American, European and other universities.

The University consists of nine Faculties and a dozen research centers, and is committed to excellence in education, research, and service to the wider community.

Given its strong belief in human rights, democratic institutions, and Christian Muslim understanding, the University is fully committed to the development and democratization of the region. Like Lebanon, the University is small in size but large in spirit, and as such has a civilizing mission based on freedom, tolerance, plurality and human dignity and is committed to spreading these values throughout the Middle East region.

The University is celebrating its 20 year anniversary and would like to thank the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and acknowledge his eminence Metropolitan Philip, a pillar of the University since its inception. The University continues to grow and expand its academic offerings, research and community services. Towards that end, the University has developed an academic plan together with an infra-structure support plan, and would appreciate your support to continue its journey and its mission.

For information on the University, please contact the University Representative in North America:

Dr. Sonia Nasr
Tel: 303.469.6277
Fax: 800.713.3015
http://www.balamand.edu.lb