On February 11, 2026, LAU’s Academy of Continuing Education (LAU-ACE) opened its new offices in Solidere, Beirut, marking a planned expansion driven by growth and proximity to the city’s business community. The event, held in Beirut’s downtown, brought together university leadership, partners, and LAU faculty and staff.

The Solidere location, joining LAU-ACE’s existing presence in Beirut, Zahle, Byblos, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and New York, reflects the academy’s expanding scale and ambition.

“Today is not simply an opening; it marks the beginning of a new chapter and a strategic transformation,” said LAU-ACE Director George Obeid in his opening speech, highlighting the academy’s progress toward broader influence and stronger connections at the center of Beirut’s economic and corporate landscape.

The new offices complement, rather than replace, LAU-ACE campus offices. Large-scale programs and events will continue to be hosted at the university, while the Solidere space will provide a base closer to corporate partners and institutions. “It’s an expansion, not a move,” Obeid said, stating that demand often requires multiple programs to run simultaneously across locations.

That demand has grown steadily. Since September, LAU-ACE has engaged more than 2,000 participants across Tripoli and the Bekaa and is on track to reach nearly 3,000 learners this year. The academy’s reach reflects a major shift toward continuous learning, professional upskilling and closer ties between education and practice.

LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah placed the expansion within the university’s wider mission. Welcoming guests to the new offices, he described the moment as both symbolic and strategic for LAU’s commitment to lifelong learning. “All education must be continuous,” he said, noting that rapid technological change and shifting labor markets require universities to stay engaged with learners well beyond graduation.

“This is not just an address on the map. It’s a statement of intent,” said Dr. Abdallah, pointing to the significance of establishing a presence in the heart of Beirut. Located within the city’s business and professional ecosystem, the Solidere offices bring LAU-ACE closer to practice, decision-makers, corporations, syndicates and institutions with whom it collaborates regularly. The location, he said, supports accessibility and engagement, enabling learning to take place where industries evolve and leadership decisions are made.

Welcoming LAU-ACE to the district, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Solidere S.A.L. Ziad Abou Jamra described the partnership as a shared belief in the role of education in Beirut’s renewal. He reaffirmed Solidere’s commitment to supporting the academy’s growth, emphasizing that investing in education is ultimately an investment in Lebanon’s future.

The new LAU-ACE facilities include a dedicated conference room, specialized training spaces, creative studios and operational offices designed to support a wide range of professional and executive programs.