The Lebanese University (LU) (, ) is the only public university in Beirut, Lebanon. It is ranked #701–750 worldwide in terms of education. The creation of the Lebanese University was an idea first mentioned in the speech of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hamid Frangieh, during the closing ceremony of the Third UNESCO Conference in Beirut held on 11 December 1948, during which he said: "Lebanon hopes to see the creation of a Lebanese university having the spirit of UNESCO." University presidents Since its inception, the Lebanese University has been headed by: and it is headed by Dr. Bassam Badran since 2021. Faculties and campuses The university issued successive decrees since its inception, establishing faculties and institutes, which contributed to its expansion and development until reaching 16 faculties: In addition to three Doctoral Schools: The university is also affiliated with the Institute of Applied Sciences and Economics (CNAM-ISAE), which operates in cooperation with CNAM in France. Honorary doctorates The university awarded honorary doctorates to a number of heads of state and officials, including in chronological order: In 2009, the Lebanese University started awarding honorary doctorates to Lebanese personalities, including: Minister Fouad Boutros, Minister Ghassan Tueni, Minister Laila Solh Hamada, Former Head of Press Syndicate Mohamed Baalbaki, As-Safir's Editor-in-Chief Talal Salman, Governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salamé, Archbishop Grégoire Haddad, writer and poet Salah Stétié, Architect Rahif Fayad, Professor Philip Salem, and artist Majida El Roumi. Mission The Lebanese University is the only public institution in Lebanon carrying out the functions of the public higher education with its various majors and degrees, scientific research, and continuous training. Ranking and reputation QS World University Rankings places the university at #701–750 overall, #551–600 in Medicine, #351–405 in Agriculture and Forestry worldwide. Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranks 1001–1200th in the world in 2023 and 151-175th in World reputation International Colleges & Universities ranks it the 5th in the country and 3893th worldwide. Notable alumni Michel Suleiman, 11th president of Lebanon Najat A. Saliba, chemist and politician Renée Hayek, writer and novelist Antoine Ghanem, Lebanese politician Jean Daoud, poet, playwright, philosopher Majida El Roumi, singer Serge Venturini (1979–1981), French poet Omar Karami, former prime minister of Lebanon Ahmed Nasri, president of Fahd bin Sultan University Ghada Owais, journalist Adnan Hussein, political scientist Mohamed Ali Yousfi, writer and translator Rana Hamadeh, artist Inaya Jaber, writer Jawad Fares, physician and scientist