Antonine University (UA) proudly participated in the second edition of the Beauty and Wellbeing Forum, which took place from Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, April 27, 2025. The University’s involvement once again reflected its strong commitment to initiatives that prioritize sustainable wellbeing, mental health, and community support, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Goal 4 (Quality Education).

Fr. Jean Al Alam, Director of the University Pastoral Ministry, intervened during the opening ceremony on April 24 with a thought-provoking speech. He highlighted the critical role of education in cultivating resilient individuals and emphasized the global shift towards embedding wellbeing policies within academic institutions. Drawing inspiration from international best practices, Fr. Al Alam shed light on UA’s initiatives, including the strategic integration of "Beauty" and "Wellbeing" into the University’s core mission and values.

Throughout the Forum, UA’s booth served as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in academic settings. Visitors discovered more about the UA Wellness Wheel, the Counseling Service available to students, faculty, and staff, the UA Plus Program, and the University’s flagship “Wellness and Mental Health Week”, which has positively impacted over 6,500 participants since its launch in 2018.

Moreover, UA students Joe Farhat and Christine Bejjani, from the Antonine School of Business (ASB), participated in the "Meet, Greet, and Get Inspired" panel discussion, alongside Fr. Al Alam and Ms. Hanady Dagher, Founder of the Beauty and Wellbeing Forum. Moderated by Mr. Philippe Abou Zeid, the panel tackled pressing issues such as mental health challenges among youth, the impact of social media and bullying, the importance of student support services, and the positive influence of spirituality on mental health. Panelists also offered practical tips to help young people overcome these challenges.

Through its active participation in the Forum, UA reaffirmed its unwavering belief that true education must address the full development of the individual, empowering students to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually.