The University of Balamand was founded as an independent non-profit institution for higher education in 1988 by Patriarch Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Inspired by the Tradition of the Antiochian Christian Orthodox Church in promoting the welfare of humanity and its highest values of tolerance, openness, and compassion; the university welcomes all students and does not discriminate by religion, race, sex, nationality or physical disability.