Notre Dame University – Louaize was founded by the Maronite Order of The Holy Virgin Mary. Since its foundation in 1695 the order promoted education and improved the lives of people it serves in Lebanon. In 1978 the Order started a new project. Reverend
Bechara Boutros Rahi (a former member of the Order and current Maronite's Patriarch) founded, in cooperation with Beirut University College now Lebanese American University, the Louaize College for Higher Education, the nucleus of today's NDU. The legal finalization of this project was the promulgation by the President of The Lebanese Republic of the decree number 4116 on August 14, 1987, granting the right to operate an independent university.
