The Antonine University (UA) Mejdlaya–Zgharta Campus welcomed the newly elected heads of municipal unions and municipalities from the Zgharta district on October 3, 2025. The gathering brought together UA’s Rector, Fr. Michel Saghbiny; the Vice Rector for Integral Human Development, Fr. Jean Al Alam; the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Internationalization, Prof. Rony Darazi; and the Director of the Mejdlaya–Zgharta Campus, Fr. Maged Maroun.

Also present were Fr. Ibrahim Bou Rajel, Assistant General of the Antonine Maronite Order, Fr. Zakka Al-Qazzi, Superior of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Monastery in Zgharta–Ehden, a number of fathers, as well as several faculty members and administrative staff from the Campus.

A Renewed Beginning of Partnership

In his address, Rector Fr. Michel Saghbiny emphasized that the event marks “an opportunity for a renewed beginning of partnership and collaboration” between UA and local municipalities. He noted that while the University’s primary role is to educate and graduate new generations, it is also “a beacon of knowledge, a center for research and innovation, and an integral part of the surrounding social fabric.”

He added: “We believe that our role goes beyond the University walls to touch the lives of every individual in this region. But municipalities have always been the lifeline of local communities, closest to the heartbeat of cities, villages, and the needs of citizens.”

Fr. Saghbiny highlighted UA’s social responsibility and readiness to support municipalities in diverse ways:through specialized academic research and consultations, innovative student projects tailored to local needs, and training sessions to enhance municipal capacities in areas such as digital transformation, project management, and strategic planning. He also pointed to UA’s role as a hub for community-oriented events, awareness campaigns, and cultural initiatives.

“Pooling efforts and strengthening collaboration during this critical phase of our nation’s history is both necessary and inevitable,” he affirmed, inviting municipalities to establish a framework for strategic cooperation through formal agreements and joint committees to ensure effective follow-up. “Our partnership is not a slogan but a vision of action, grounded in mutual trust and a shared commitment to the common good.”

UA as “Home and House of Knowledge”

For his part, Fr. Maged Maroun warmly welcomed the municipal leaders, describing UA Mejdlaya as “your home and the house of knowledge.” He stressed that as the only university in the district, UA carries a doubled responsibility toward its youth and community.

“More than just an academic institution, the University is a beacon of culture, a meeting place of energies, and a bridge that unites people and ideas,” he said. Reflecting on the Campus’s geographical location, he described it as “the gate of the district — not a boundary that separates, but an open door to hospitality, dialogue, and excellence.”

He concluded by affirming the shared mission between UA and the municipalities: “Together, University and municipalities, we transform knowledge into development and service into reality. Hand in hand, we build a brighter future for Zgharta and for generations to come.”

Shared Commitment to the Common Good

The event also featured videos introducing UA’s mission, academic programs, and role in the North of Lebanon, along with student testimonials and a presentation of the Upscale Hub, which supports student innovation and fosters collaboration with local communities.

With this encounter, UA reaffirmed its commitment to placing knowledge and service at the heart of local development, while municipal leaders expressed their openness to sustained cooperation. This shared vision lays the foundation for a strategic partnership dedicated to human dignity, community well-being, and the common good.