Dr. Shawki Abdallah, the new president of the Lebanese American University (LAU). (Credit: LAU)
When listing the difficulties faced by Lebanese universities, Dr. Shawki Abdallah, the new president of the Lebanese American University (LAU), admits that "the cost of education is increasingly high," noting that "this increase is not solely due to salaries [of faculty and administrative staff]."
"There are requirements today that did not exist 30 years ago. Back then, it was not necessary to obtain so many accreditations to certify our education abroad, nor to implement an elaborate marketing strategy to present the university, nor to hire advisors for students. Not to mention the rising costs related to infrastructure and fuel consumption, which have significantly increased in recent years."
Addressing the issue of rising university fees, Abdallah stated that in other countries, most universities pass these costs onto students who can afford it. "Today, only 20 percent of our students pay the full tuition, which amounts to about $22,000 per year. 80 percent benefit from financial aid: some receive a 20 percent discount, others more, depending on their financial situation. On average, this aid reduces the fees to less than half of the initial amount.
Unfortunately, after a recent sharp decline in external aid, we have had to take over because we refuse to deny a student education due to lack of funding."
The LAU president understood that to maintain the same quality of education, it is urgent to establish new strategies by diversifying revenue sources to reduce costs. Among these strategies, he plans to increase the number of international students in Lebanon, develop entrepreneurial spirit among young graduates to encourage them to invest in the country, optimize the university's human and material resources through artificial intelligence (AI), and mobilize the human capital represented by former students excelling abroad. These were the measures he has launched for his upcoming years of governance.
Attracting foreign students and encouraging young Lebanese to invest in their country
Fewer and fewer international students are choosing Lebanon for their studies, given the difficult situation the country is going through. "A loss for the university," stated the president of LAU, as these individuals can pay the full tuition. "Today, international students represent 12 percent of LAU's student body, a modest proportion. It is therefore crucial to increase this number of students by 10 percent."
However, aware that the university cannot host a higher number of international students, LAU launched a campus in the heart of Manhattan, New York, "the only one in the Middle East accredited and recognized by the New York State Department of Education and offering bachelor's degrees and MBAs tailored to market needs," the LAU president proudly stated. "Starting in September 2026, we aim to provide Lebanese students beginning their studies in Lebanon the opportunity to continue their year or semester in New York and then follow up with an internship in the United States."
Discussing the second aspect of his strategic plan, Abdallah emphasized the urgency of increasing the number of startups and young companies in Lebanon to boost the national economy. According to him, it is imperative to develop an entrepreneurial spirit among students that would encourage them to launch their own startup or project addressing a concrete need, right here in Lebanon.
"We invest in and educate our young people, who, once launched into the workforce, often face a saturated local market or salaries so low that they are forced to leave the country, often against their will. These young people put all their knowledge and skills at the service of foreign countries. And that's deplorable," he said.
"Today, it is our role as universities to help them succeed by developing this entrepreneurial confidence, providing them with all the necessary tools: learning to identify a problem or innovative idea with high potential, developing a solid business plan including a market analysis, choosing a motivated team to carry the project, and above all, knowing how to effectively present their idea to convince investors of its viability. Even without guaranteed success, these young people will acquire a new way of approaching the workforce, sometimes within the companies where they will be working," Abdallah added.
Using AI internally and externally to reduce costs
"Artificial intelligence (AI) today offers a real asset, allowing for more precise management of human and material resources, improving their operational efficiency while reducing costs," Abdallah said. "It is therefore imperative to optimize these resources and make use of them, not only internally, within the university, but also externally, by offering technological resources and the expertise of our experts, who master all these tools. They can provide advice or propose projects to certain organizations or companies seeking to optimize their resources or digitalize their data, similar to the government or certain ministries, for example, or companies that will benefit from the expertise of our advisors."
He added that "the most important resource every university possesses is this human capital formed by all these alumni," and that "these alumni represent a wealth and a considerable asset for all students."
"We pay foreign experts to come and provide advice or lectures to our students, while we train and graduate hundreds of young people each year who are now at the helm of very large companies," he said. "These alumni have valuable experience to share. Their knowledge and expertise can inspire current students and help them better understand the opportunities available to them. They can also offer them advice on choosing their higher education, job search, or career development."
These individuals were often present in various professional and geographical sectors, "which can be particularly beneficial for students seeking internships, job opportunities, or advice," he stated. "That is why I want to solicit them today and invite them to share their professional journeys and successes through meetings, conferences, or networking activities, because they are a real asset for all our young future graduates, facilitating their professional insertion in an increasingly competitive market."
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.
