LAU Expands Educational Presence in Beirut in Partnership with Mrs. Nazek Rafik Hariri, Honoring the Legacy of the Late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
As part of its strategic vision to strengthen its educational presence in the capital, the Lebanese American University (LAU) held a press conference in Beirut attended by Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Rima Karami, representing the Prime Minister, along with several current and former ministers, members of parliament, the family of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Mrs. Nazek Hariri, representatives of the Hariri Foundation, members of LAU’s Board of Trustees, and senior university officials.
During the conference, LAU President Dr. Shawqi Abdullah and Mrs. Nazek Rafik Hariri announced a major expansion involving the acquisition of the building adjacent to Qoreitem Palace and LAU. The property has officially become part of LAU under a formal agreement initiated by Mrs. Nazek Hariri. This step transforms the building into a comprehensive educational facility that will reinforce the university’s academic and research mission, honoring the legacy of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and preserving his memory at the heart of the capital, while reaffirming the deep bond between LAU and the martyred leader’s educational vision.
This milestone represents a pivotal chapter in LAU’s growth trajectory as a leading, non-profit educational institution in Beirut. With the addition of approximately 17,000 square meters to its campus, LAU will expand its research and study programs, establish new centers for innovation and creativity, strengthen partnerships with industry, and foster entrepreneurship and technology acceleration—all vital components of higher education in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Celebrating over a century since its founding, LAU views this expansion as an opportunity to deepen its historic ties with Beirut, a city that has always been central to its identity and community engagement. The expansion reflects LAU’s commitment to broadening its academic impact locally, regionally, and globally, attracting top students and faculty, and advancing its role as a hub of knowledge and human development.
The new facility will also host the Rafik Hariri Memorial Library, providing students and researchers with a dedicated space to explore the late Prime Minister’s legacy, his contributions that reshaped Lebanon during and beyond his premiership, and the noble values he strived to uphold.
In recognition of Rafik Hariri’s enduring educational and national vision, the site will be named the Rafik Hariri Center for the Advancement of Human Knowledge, embodying the shared mission of establishing a national hub for education, research, and innovation, while preserving the profound partnership between LAU and the Hariri family.
Mrs. Nazek Hariri emphasized that: “Challenges do not intimidate us. The journey of giving initiated by Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will continue, with God’s will, driven by faith, fortified by honesty, and carried by all those who share our conviction that education is the path to salvation, progress, and stability.”
Dr. Shawqi Abdullah expressed LAU’s pride in this development, noting: “We do not view this building as simply an expansion, but as a national responsibility and a continuation of a deeply rooted educational and humanitarian mission.”
This initiative underscores LAU’s unwavering commitment to Beirut and Lebanon, while immortalizing the memory of Rafik Hariri as a cornerstone of national revival and a lasting investment in the future of generations to come.
