After decades of the government in Lebanon being undependable, the Association of Full-timers at the state-run Lebanese University (LU) stated at a conference that they will be looking for ulterior solutions.
They mentioned in their statement the cabinet’s continuous postponing in handling the university’s case files and matters.
Such lack of action by their government urged them to take things into their own hands, writing letters of appeal to “friendly countries” with a history of academic relations with Lebanon and the university.
The association went on to urge their colleagues at the university to get on with the examinations and to perform the academic requirements for their students per what their current situation allows.
“Once again, the cabinet proves its disregard towards the Lebanese University and its issues by continuing to postpone and procrastinate handling its matters, even the ones that do not pose any financial burden on the government,” issued Dr. Amer Halawani, the association’s secretary.
He stressed the importance of the university as a public body that takes in a huge chunk of Lebanese students.
He explained that despite the country’s persistent crisis mode and bad economic situation, the university remains the “beating heart of the country” and therefore it should be seriously treated, and not in terms of political agendas.
Among the association’s demands is electing a deans’ council for the university administration to work alongside the president, noting that a university cannot properly function when more than half of its faculty are contractors.
While these demands do not pose a financial burden, correcting the staff salaries is also of most importance in the current financial crisis.
The Lebanese University (LU) has a history of being at the heart of the country’s rises and falls. It has faced obstructions from before it was even established.
Back then, students fought for the establishment of a public university that would take in Lebanese students without requiring “a kidney in payment.” That fight was taken to the streets and some students lost their lives.
The minimum requirement for citizens and institutions in Lebanon, let alone a victory, appears to always come at a high cost, but the Lebanese people persist in their fight for their rights and the betterment of their country.
