The University of Balamand held its commencement ceremony for the academic year 2025–2026 on July 11, 2026, at its Koura main campus. During the ceremony, 1,466 students graduated from the University’s campuses in Koura, Akkar, Souk El Gharb, and Dekwaneh, earning degrees in various disciplines and faculties.
The ceremony was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His Excellency the Minister of National Defense, Major General Michel Menassa, representing His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Mr. Nawaf Salam; MP Abdel Karim Kabbara, representing Speaker of Parliament H.E. Nabih Berri; Former Prime Minister H.E. Tammam Salam; General Ahmad Saadeh representing the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces; the keynote speaker, H.E. Sigrid Kaag United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process; H.E. Brice Lalonde, former French Minister of the Environment; Professor Stavros Malas, President of the Cyprus Institute; Professor Costas Papanicolas, President Emeritus of the Cyprus Institute; in presence of political, religious, social, educational, municipal, military, and media figures, as well as the graduates’ families and friends.
The graduation ceremony opened with the academic procession of the graduates, the University President, and members of the faculty. Following a blessing by His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Master of Ceremony Dr. Dima Issa welcomed the audience and introduced the distinguished speakers.
In her address to the graduates, Her Excellency Kaag stated: “Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. One filled with change. Uncertainty. But above all, choices. The choices that will shape the life you build.” She added: “You are graduating in one of those difficult hours, for Lebanon and the region. And yet you are graduating. That, in itself, is an act of defiance. Because today is not simply about celebrating what you have achieved. It is about reflecting on what it means to move forward when the future appears uncertain.”
In his address, Dr. Warrak urged the students: “Remember that conflict within a nation destroys both the nation and its people. Remember that compassion, mercy, and dialogue can overcome hostility and defeat enemies.” He also advised the students: “Do not lose hope in your nation when it is at its weakest; for you are the soul, the heartbeat, and the remedy. Never lose hope, even when the darkness lingers. The light is coming, no matter how long it takes. Nations are shaped by the efforts of the living and the wisdom of those who are gone.”
Student Haya Saade from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences delivered the graduates’ address in which she reflected: “Stay true to yourselves, and pursue what you love with passion and grit. Let us all set our hearts toward rebuilding our wounded country. I believe in a tomorrow where Lebanon can once again be a place of peace, and today, I send on everyone’s behalf a hopeful thought to all those who continue to struggle.”
Following the speeches, President Warrak and the deans of the faculties officially conferred degrees upon the graduates.