Antonine University (UA) had the honor of welcoming a delegation from the Lyon Catholic University (UCLy), led by its Rector, Prof. Gregory Woimbee, who was accompanied by the Vice Rector for Education, Academic and Student Life; Prof. Emmanuelle Gormally; Vice Rector for International Development and Europe, Prof. Franck Violet; Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Prof. Michel Younes; as well as the Rector’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Adrien Bertrand.

At UA, the delegation was received by the Rector, Fr. Michel Saghbiny, along with the Secretary General, Fr. Ziad Maatouk; the Vice Rector for Integral Human Development, Fr. Jean Al Alam; and the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Internationalization, Prof. Rony Darazi. They were later joined by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Talar Atechian, and the Vice Rector for Research, Prof. Antoine El Samrani.

This visit provided an opportunity to discuss projects of common interest and to present UA’s major strategic directions for the coming years. It also allowed the UCLy delegation to discover the richness and diversity of UA’s academic and administrative units, including:

• the Office of Communications, where a comprehensive institutional presentation highlighted UA’s mission, values, and initiatives;
• the Faculty of Sport Sciences, where the Dean, Antonio Soutou, together with the chairpersons, outlined the Faculty’s innovative and multidisciplinary programs. The delegation also visited the Laboratoire des 3S : Sport, Santé, Société (L3S), which combines scientific research with practical applications in the fields of sports and social well-being;
• the Faculty of Public Health, where the heads of the Departments of Nursing Sciences, Physical Therapy, and Dental Laboratory Technology presented the Faculty’s academic programs and state-of-the-art laboratories designed to train competent professionals and respond to the growing needs of the health sector in Lebanon and the region;
• Upscale Hub, an innovation center presented by Zeina Rizkallah, Project Lead and Senior Business Analyst, alongside students and alumni. They introduced ongoing projects and explained how the Hub seeks to retain local talent and demonstrate that innovation can thrive in Lebanon by harnessing the creativity of its youth;
• the SEEDS Center, UA’s entrepreneurial incubator, where Director, Georges Jalakh, accompanied by student project leaders, presented initiatives under development. This Center plays a key role in supporting emerging ideas and transforming student projects into successful start-ups;
• the services under the Vice Rectorate for Integral Human Development, including the Counseling Service, the Offices of Social and Student Affairs, and the UA Plus Program, which reflect the University’s holistic approach, focused on student well-being, personal support, and the development of students’ transversal skills.

At the end of the visit, UCLy’s Rector commended UA’s major role on the national stage, praising the societal impact of its mission, the strength of its values, and its unwavering commitment to integral human development. This vision, inspired by the Catholic Church’s Social Teaching, guides UA’s education and training, aiming to prepare not only competent professionals, but also fair, compassionate, and socially responsible leaders.

The visit culminated with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UCLy and UA. This framework agreement paves the way for multiple collaborations, particularly in the areas of governance, joint academic programs, student and faculty mobility, as well as the sharing of best practices across academic, administrative, and student life services.