Lebanese University

Lebanese University
The Lebanese University (LU) is the only state-funded public university in Lebanon. Established in 1951, the Lebanese University has played a major role in expanding general education in Lebanon.
It has three geographically distributed campuses: Rafic Hariri Campus, Fanar Campus and North Campus.
History
The creation of the Lebanese University was an idea first mentioned in the speech of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hamid Frangieh, during the closing ceremony of the Third UNESCO Conference in Beirut held on 11 December 1948, during which he said: "Lebanon hopes to see the creation of a Lebanese university having the spirit of UNESCO."
The establishment of the Lebanese University came as a result of a popular and student mobilization initiated on 23 January 1951 with a general strike that lasted for a long period during which, secondary and university students, mostly from Saint Joseph University participated. The movement included demonstrations and clashes with security forces that lead the Council of Ministers to meet on 5 February of the same year.
University presidents
Since its inception, the Lebanese University has been headed by:
and it is headed by Dr. Bassam Badran since 2021.
Faculties and campuses
The university issued successive decrees since its inception, establishing faculties and institutes, which contributed to its expansion and development until reaching 16 faculties:
In addition to three Doctoral Schools:
The university is also affiliated with the Institute of Applied Sciences and Economics (CNAM-ISAE), which operates in cooperation with CNAM in France.
Honorary doctorates
The university awarded honorary doctorates to a number of heads of state and officials, including in chronological order:
In 2009, the Lebanese University started awarding honorary doctorates to Lebanese personalities, including:
Minister Fouad Boutros, Minister Ghassan Tueni, Minister Laila Solh Hamada, Former Head of Press Syndicate Mohamed Baalbaki, As-Safir's Editor-in-Chief Talal Salman, Governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salamé, Archbishop Grégoire Haddad, writer and poet Salah Stétié, Architect Rahif Fayad, Professor Philip Salem, and artist Majida El Roumi.
Mission
The Lebanese University is the only public institution in Lebanon carrying out the functions of the public higher education with its various majors and degrees, scientific research, and continuous training.
Rankings and reputation
In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the Lebanese University ranks 577 worldwide, a record-high after being placed 701-750 in 2021.
Notable alumni
Michel Suleiman, 11th president of Lebanon
Najat A. Saliba, chemist and politician
Renée Hayek, writer and novelist
Antoine Ghanem, Lebanese politician
Jean Daoud, poet, playwright, philosopher
Majida El Roumi, singer
Serge Venturini (1979–1981), French poet
Omar Karami, former prime minister of Lebanon
Ahmed Nasri, president of Fahd bin Sultan University
Ghada Owais, journalist
Adnan Hussein, political scientist
Mohamed Ali Yousfi, writer and translator
Rana Hamadeh, artist
Inaya Jaber, writer
Jawad Fares, physician and scientist
Marcel Ghanem, journalist
Doumouh Al Bakkar, football referee
Vartine Ohanian, Lebanese politician and Minister of Youth and Sports
Houssam Diab Lebanese lawyer and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Elissa (singer), Lebanese Singer and Artist
See also
List of Islamic educational institutions
References
External links
الموقع الرسمي
Site officiel
Official website
Art schools in Lebanon
Education in Beirut
Universities in Lebanon
1951 establishments in Lebanon
Universities and colleges established in 1951