For the ninth consecutive year, LAU’s student council elections were held online today, February 18, with a 63.4 percent participation rate.

As part of the university’s commitment to collaborative planning, decision-making, and accountability, 15 students from each campus were elected from a pool of 49 candidates representing the seven schools and the graduate program. Serving as student council representatives, they will advocate for academic and campus-related concerns while contributing to university-wide policies.

Originally scheduled for October 2024, the elections were postponed to February 2025 due to the war. However, “the university and administration chose to proceed despite the delay because we want our students to experience a fair and democratic election process,” said Dean of Students on the Beirut campus Raed Mohsen.

He emphasized the educational value of the elections, stating, “Campaigning, voting, and participating in elections are integral to the learning experience. By holding these elections, we affirm that students play a vital role in the university’s shared governance.”

Dr. Jad Abdallah, dean of students on the Byblos campus, stressed that the elections are a democratic process for the best interests of the students and their university life.

As the results were announced at 4:30 p.m., LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah congratulated all the winners. He conveyed the significance of elections as an opportunity for students to voice their opinions and participate in the university’s shared governance. “Hopefully, this will also be a training for you as you graduate, you vote for the national elections, and beyond,” he said.

Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem commended the candidates for their participation, stating that “the candidates are winners simply by the fact that they stepped up, presented their platforms, and engaged in a democratic and transparent process.”