Established in 1999, Sagesse University stands as a testament to Lebanon’s rich educational history. But its roots stretch back much further. The university’s Higher College of Law traces its origins to 1875.
Sagesse University is closely associated with Collège de la Sagesse. This educational institution also founded in 1875 ran a Higher Institute of Law. Today, that institute is part of the university. A network of Lebanese Maronite schools feed into Sagesse. Many of their graduates continue their studies here.
Though linked to the Sagesse school program, the university operates independently. Both are supervised by the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Beirut. This unique connection shapes the university’s values and mission. Sagesse University strives to provide young people with the skills they need. The university wants to ensure their success.
The main campus was inaugurated in 2002. Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir officiated. This modern campus is in the Beirut suburbs. It features four seven-story buildings. A ground floor and two underground floors offer parking. There is space for 500 cars. The campus can accommodate around 3500 full-time students.
Inside, you will find a library and a chapel. The chapel is named after St Joseph. There is also a “salle de congrès” and a “salle polyvalente”. A theater provides space for performances. Another campus in Ashrafieh Beirut houses the Faculty of Hotel Management.
Collège de la Sagesse established the Sagesse Higher Institute in 1875. It was mainly a Higher Institute of Law. In 1961, Lebanon’s Law for the Organization of Higher Education recognized the institute. It remained at College de la Sagesse until 1999. That is when Université La Sagesse was established. The Faculty of Law moved to the new campus in 2002.
Université La Sagesse officially came into being in 1999. Approved faculties included Law and Canonical Sciences. Also included were Business and Finance and Political Science and International Relations. Hotel Management was added in 2007. The Institut de Droit became a full faculty in 2008. Public Health joined in 2012. Canonical Law gained approval in 2014. French is the main language of instruction. English and Arabic are used as needed especially in legal faculties.
Sagesse University comprises several faculties. These include Law and Canonic Law. Ecclesiastical Law is also present. Other faculties are Business and Finance. Political Sciences and International Relations are represented. The university also has Hotel Management and Public Health faculties. More recently the university added the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Religious and Theological Sciences.
Sagesse University is a private institution. It depends on the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut. The university offers diplomas and academic certificates. These meet international standards and Lebanese legal requirements.
POLYTECH-Beirut is an engineering faculty. It trains engineers in scientific technical and managerial skills. It specializes in promising areas. POLYTECH-Beirut is part of LA SAGESSE University. It is overseen by the Ministry of National Education and Higher Education. The Order of Engineers and Architects of Beirut accredits it. It issues engineering diplomas in 5 specialties.
The Faculty of Law at Sagesse University stands as a historic landmark. It is the first Law Faculty in Lebanon and the Middle East. It was founded in 1875 under Mgr Youssef Debs. He was the Bishop of Beirut and founder of La Sagesse University. The Faculty taught Law and Islamic doctrine in Arabic. Students came from Lebanon and other Arab countries. Eminent professors made up the teaching body. Since its start, the Faculty has graduated thousands of jurists. They have excelled in various legal professions.
Sagesse University’s mission is rooted in Lebanon’s history. Its origins trace back to 1852. Mgr Toubia Aoun established his seminar in Ain Saadé. In 1875 Mgr Youssef Debs moved to a better location in Beirut. He aimed to lead a cultural revival. He founded “La Sagesse” with its Law Institute. It taught Civil Law and the Islamic “Fiqh”. Well-known Muslim scholars taught here.