Mar Elias Campus - Israel Branch of the University of Indianapolis

A New Reality is Emerging

In July 2003, approval was granted by the Council of Higher Education in Israel for the establishment of the Mar Elias Campus - Israel branch of the University of Indianapolis, USA. The approval, combined with the sister-campus relationship with the University of Indianapolis, was all that was needed to recruit over one hundred students to apply for the first semester that began on October 21, 2003. Ninety students were accepted for admission for the opening semester.

The Mar Elias Campus - Israel branch of the University of Indianapolis began with three departments: Environmental Science and Chemistry, Computer Science, and Communication.  Mar Elias Campus - Israel branch of the University of Indianapolis is a seed of hope for the Arab community in Israel and particularly for the Arab-Christian community. 

The hope is to establish three more majors and with these the student body will increase to as many as 600 young adults. These additional disciplines; Nursing, Physiotherapy and Business and Commerce, will provide much needed professionals from among the Arab sector to take their place beside their Jewish brothers and sisters.

In a recent interview, Father Elias Chacour said, "At times, this seems too ambitious, almost bordering on fiction, but the reality is that it is achievable. Mar Elias Campus - Israel branch of the University of Indianapolis is no longer a wishful vision. It is a baby born - a reality. Now it is a question of time and means. 

"This project, which some call the 'new venture' is expected in the next phase to bring together Arab-Israelis (Muslim and Christian) with Jewish Israelis. In a third phase, Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Jewish students will be joined by students from neighboring Arab countries - Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt. As the fourth phase unfolds, they will be joined by international students on exchange from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe."

One of the university leaders said, "We focus on the positive aspects since we do not build on obstacles and problems. We struggle to overcome them and continue to opt for hope, building bit by bit until the whole stands deeply rooted and steady. We believe that this university will grow to become an imposing reality, one that will create a significant and substantial difference signaling a change for the better."

The New Mar Elias Peace Center

The Mar Elias Peace Center is now established and starting work with faculty of MEEI and Mar Elias University Campus to bring peace to the forefront of serious academic endeavor. It will play a vital role in MEUC’s outreach locally and internationally.

Initially the Center will work to bring academics in the field of Peace Studies to MEUC, and support cooperative programs between Arab and Jewish schools and the Teachers’ Center programs. In a later phase, the work of the Center will develop a Peace Studies program in the university and open courses for international groups.

To highlight the Center’s focus on human relations as the basis of all peace building, a Peace Room has been equipped and furnished for the use of the university students. It is a place for gathering, for conversation and reflection.