For the tenth consecutive year, LAU students went to the polls online to elect their representatives to the Student Council on October 10, 2025, reaffirming the university’s tradition of shared governance. With a participation rate of 66.6 percent, the elections reflected LAU’s enduring commitment to transparency and civic engagement.

A total of 30 representatives—15 on each of the Beirut and Byblos campuses—were elected from 41 candidates across the seven schools. Serving as the link between students and administration, they will advocate for student concerns and help shape the university experience across both campuses.

As results were announced, Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem, representing LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah, congratulated the newly elected representatives. She emphasized the importance of unity and responsibility in their new roles, reminding them that their foremost duty is to uphold the LAU identity.

“Your identity will be LAU Student Council,” she said. “We hope that you keep the LAU flag and your LAU identity as your number one priority in this new responsibility.”

The elections proceeded smoothly under the supervision of the Offices of the Deans of Students in Beirut and Byblos.

Dean of Students on the Beirut campus Raed Mohsen commended the students for their engagement and respect for democratic values.

“The election rules are designed to ensure transparency,” he said. “We are the first university to implement the online voting system, which is highly secure against hacking. All candidates have equal opportunities to present their proposals, and students and candidates are reminded about our rules to ensure a smooth election process.”

From Byblos, Dean of Students Jad Abdallah highlighted the importance of the council’s role in student life. “Its members relay the concerns and ideas of their peers and help us better understand what matters most to them,” he said. “Their feedback often guides decisions and inspires new initiatives aimed at improving the overall student experience.”

Dr. Abdallah added that the process itself offers a valuable lesson in leadership and responsibility. “We make sure that everything, from nominations and campaigns to e-voting and results, adheres to the university’s standards,” he explained. “Our goal is to ensure a fair process in which every student’s voice is heard.”

As the largest constituency of the university—and with the most at stake—LAU students provide a vital perspective within the shared governance model, ensuring that decisions reflect student priorities and uphold the university’s values of inclusiveness and accountability.