Beirut university leader calls on UK universities to “remind the world that differences can be settled with words”

Professor Fadlo Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut (AUB), shared how the escalation in conflict in the Middle East poses an “existential threat” to Lebanon’s higher education at a recent SOAS event.  

Since the Israel-Gaza war turned into a wider escalation of conflict involving Lebanon earlier this year, the AUB has seen “about half” of its 9,000 students displaced. Speaking at the event hosted by SOAS Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib, Professor Khuri described the situation on the ground as the AUB attempts to maintain access for students and secure the economic future of the institution. 

Air attacks have forced staff and students to flee certain areas of Beirut, with Professor Khuri reporting that “at least 700 have permanently lost their homes” who are within their community. Teaching has continued, interrupted briefly by a one-week, government mandated closure, however the continued displacement of the university community and intermittent internet access is making this increasingly difficult. 

 Universities must do much more than they’ve done… to remind the world that differences can be settled with words, not with guns.

Professor Khuri highlighted the financial uncertainty faced by AUB if it is forced to close: “What we need to do is to keep going and educate safely. So far, we are managing, but we have been increasingly making it clear that we cannot afford to miss the second semester… As long as students are learning, we can pay our staff.” 

He pointed to his university as a model of inclusion in the Middle East, bringing together a diverse religious and political population to “make them realise that the other is not so frightening.” Speaking to SOAS leadership and academics, Professor Khuri appealed to universities to band together in support of peace:

“This is a moment of great danger - for all of us, not just for Lebanon. Universities must do much more than they’ve done… to remind the world that differences can be settled with words, not with guns.”

Adam Habib, SOAS Vice-Chancellor, committed to continuing dialogue with the AUB about the practical help SOAS can offer to support the university at this challenging time.