University of Balamand

The University of Balamand (UOB; Arabic: جامعة البلمند) is a private university in northern El-Koura, Lebanon. The university is affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Church in Lebanon, but operates as a quasi-secular institution, welcoming faculty, students, and staff from all faiths and national or ethnic origins.^{[citation needed]}

University of Balamand

جامعة البلمند
Motto	والحق تعرفونه
Motto in English	And you know what is right
Type	Private
Established	1988
Affiliation	Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch
Endowment	USD $ 8,268,703
President	Elias Warrak[1]
Academic staff	1177
Administrative staff	300
Students	5600
Location	Balamand, El-Koura , Lebanon
Campus	Suburban, 550,000 m2
Newspaper	UOB Highlights
Website	www.balamand.edu.lb

Name

The name ‘Balamand’ comes from, “Bel monde,” a French description which was the first given name for the “beautiful world” the Crusaders discovered after crossing Tripoli city in the twelves century. Such naming is not unique; for example “Bella” village, one of the most picturesque spots in Becharreh region (named by the Italians) and “Terre belle” an almost 500 meters high volcanic mountain reigning over Tripoli city, are two of hundreds if not thousands of European-origin names given to city and towns names in Lebanon.

History

It was founded by the Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antioch in 1988. The University of Balamand was founded by the Patriarch through the inspiration and endorsement of the Orthodox Antiochan committee, in which the concept formed between years 1983 and 1987, in the midst of the Lebanese Civil War.^[2] The project started soon after Governmental Clearance in 1988.

Formerly conceived as just a project in the Koura District, it fused administratively with the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) and St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology to become a full-blown university.

As of 2014, the implementation of its Master Plan at the mount of long heritage, Balamand, proceeds steadily.

Divisions

Administratively, the university consists of 9 faculties:

• Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (French and English)
• St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology (Arabic, English and Spanish)
• Faculty of Arts and Sciences (Arabic, English and French)
• Faculty of Business and Management (English)
• School of Tourism and Hotel Management (English)
• Faculty of Sciences (English)
• Faculty of Engineering (English)
• Faculty of Health Sciences (English)
• Faculty of Medicine & Medical Sciences (English)
• Faculty of Postgraduate Medical Education
• Issam M. Fares Institute of Technology (English and French)

The university's main campus is adjacent to Balamand Monastery, but it has three other campuses in Dekwaneh Beirut, Souk El Gharb and Beino Akkar.

Notable alumni

• Reine Abbas - Lebanese video game designer and artist
• John X of Antioch - Primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
• Razan Ghazzawi - Syrian-Palestinian blogger and activist
• Bill Hinkle - American politician in Washington
• Elie Mitri - Lebanese actor, writer and stand-up comedian

See also

• Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts
• El-Koura
• Greek Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon