Lebanese University

The Lebanese University (LU; الجامعة اللبنانية) 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.

The university's main campus was originally located in Beirut, but a few satellite campuses were opened due to travel restrictions during the Lebanese Civil War. It has three geographically distributed campuses: Rafic Hariri Campus, Fanar Campus and North Campus.

The university currently enrolls thousands of students and is organized into 16 faculties. It offers a range of degree programs, include undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The primary language of instruction is Arabic.

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 has been headed by 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.

Tuition Fees
The Lebanese University collects registration fees from its affiliated students for the academic year 2023-2024 as follows:

A- Lebanese students, students born to Lebanese mothers, and Palestinians:

For the bachelor’s degree in theoretical colleges, the amount is 12,500,000 LBP.

For the bachelor’s degree in applied colleges, the amount is 12,500,000 LBP.

For the postgraduate level, the amount is 17,500,000 LBP.

For the doctoral studies stage, the amount is 22,500,000 LBP.

B - Foreign students:

For the bachelor’s degree in theoretical colleges, the amount is 60,000,000 LBP.

For the bachelor’s degree in applied colleges, the amount is 60,000,000 LBP.

For the postgraduate level, the amount is 100,000,000 LBP.

The doctoral studies stage: an amount of 300,000,000 LBP.

C - Participation fee for the entrance competition in colleges and institutes to which affiliation is subject to the competition condition: 500,000 LBP.

E- Foreign language course fees: 50,000 LBP

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

 * Doumouh Al Bakkar, football referee
 * Jean Daoud, poet, playwright, philosopher
 * Houssam Diab Lebanese lawyer and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
 * Elissa (singer), Lebanese Singer and Artist
 * Jawad Fares, physician and scientist
 * Antoine Ghanem, Lebanese politician
 * Marcel Ghanem, journalist
 * Rana Hamadeh, artist
 * Renée Hayek, writer and novelist
 * Adnan Hussein, political scientist
 * Inaya Jaber, writer
 * Omar Karami, former prime minister of Lebanon
 * Ahmed Nasri, president of Fahd bin Sultan University
 * Vartine Ohanian, Lebanese politician and Minister of Youth and Sports
 * Ghada Owais, journalist
 * Majida El Roumi, singer
 * Najat A. Saliba, chemist and politician
 * Michel Suleiman, 11th president of Lebanon
 * Serge Venturini (1979–1981), French poet
 * Mohamed Ali Yousfi, writer and translator
 * Nabih Berri, Lebanese politician
 * Essam Sahmarani, Journalist and novelist