President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun affirmed his support for the Lebanese University and his determination to address the issues it suffers from in the best interest of university education in Lebanon and to preserve its role, stressing the necessity of keeping the Lebanese University away from political and sectarian clashes.”

President Aoun urged the university to maintain the reputation and ranking it has achieved locally and internationally, considering it an honor for Lebanon.

President Aoun's speech came during his meeting with Prof. Bassam Badran, President of the Lebanese University, who headed a delegation of deans, directors, professors and administrators from the university, who congratulated him on his election as President of the Republic.

Speech of President Badran

At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Badran delivered a speech:

“I am pleased and honored, on behalf of myself and the people of the university, including deans, directors, professors, administrators and students, to congratulate you on the occasion of your election as President of the Lebanese Republic, which is a reflection of the great confidence that the Lebanese people place in your wisdom and wise leadership, which we have experienced through your national journey.

Our university, which for the first time put into practice a new strategy to transform into a productive and advanced scientific and research university, meets what you referred to in your oath of office speech.

We have started work on the electronics factory on the university campus with a full team from the university, an experiment that was not dared by major universities. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the Lebanese University ranked first academically and professionally at the national level and we prepared a comprehensive digital transformation program at the university.”

He added: “Our university still faces many challenges that require your support to fulfill the aspirations of Lebanese youth. Most notably, supporting the academic and administrative structure by allowing the approval of a sabbatical file that meets the urgent needs and allowing the conduct of exams for the tenure of employees at the university.

The university is in dire need of academic stability that requires the appointment of authentic deans as soon as possible to enable the university to regain its full powers.”

President Badran concluded: “The Lebanese University is the university of the whole country and believes that your continuous support will enhance the ability of the national university to realize its vision and contribute to the renaissance and progress of the country under your wise leadership.”

Response of President Aoun

The President responded by welcoming the delegation, thanking them for their congratulations, emphasizing the need to “invest in science", praising the high level of Lebanese University graduates, and emphasizing the determination to address the issues it suffers from in the best interest of university education in Lebanon.

He said: “I am interested in returning the Lebanese University to its natural position, and I ask you to keep it away from political, sectarian and confessional problems, thus preserving the reputation you have achieved, especially your ranking in the first place in the world in petroleum engineering, among the first 150 universities in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, and among the first 300 universities in electrical engineering.” He added: “This is a matter of pride for Lebanon."

The President of the Republic added: “It is not only important to achieve achievements and reach the highest ranks, but more than that, it is important to preserve and multiply them. We are by your side in achieving what you are aiming for. I have great hope for you to keep the Lebanese University away from political, sectarian and confessional clashes.” He concluded: “My eyes will remain on the university to help it and we will not fail, this is our duty.”

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