LAU believes in public institutions’ drive to develop their human capital and promote a highly functional state. President Joseph G. Jabbra and Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun put this conviction on paper by signing an agreement that will enable members of the armed forces to pursue graduate education at LAU. At the signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Defense in Yarzeh, were the university’s leadership as well as a group of top-ranking members of the armed forces. 

“Ever since its early establishment in 1835, LAU has proudly been serving the nation,” said Jabbra, adding that this partnership with “an institution that has made sacrifices at the highest level” will bring immense honor to the university.

Aoun announced in his statement, “The army’s role is no longer limited to battles on the field,” revealing that they are now “focused on developing their human capital.” He declared that the army, in this day and age, should be able to connect with the people, stressing that education plays a vital role in “enhancing critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills needed to add value.”

Having once been a student at LAU himself, Aoun extolled the university’s impact on his career. “At international trainings and workshops, I benchmarked against other international military personnel, and it was evident that my education at LAU really allowed me to represent Lebanon in the best way possible,” he said.

This academic cooperation was preceded by similar agreements signed with the State Security and General Security, whereby the university provides members and officers and their families financial assistance in the form of reduced fees for graduate studies; a three-phase leadership training program implemented by LAU’s Outreach and Civic Engagement unit (OCE) in conjunction with the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Development; and a training course in gender-based violence, conceived and conducted by the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World.

“LAU is honored to live up to its social responsibilities and its educational mission,” said Director of LAU’s University Enterprise Office and executor of the agreement Walid Touma. “It is with great pride that we, as LAU, serve our country and our army, in appreciation of their devotion to Lebanon and its citizens.”