Lebanese University’s long-delayed appointments

The issue of granting full-time appointments to contract professors at the Lebanese University (LU) has once again moved to the forefront of public debate after the Committee of Contract Professors issued an open letter to President Joseph Aoun, urging him to ensure that the long-awaited file is included on the Council of Ministers’ agenda. The committee reminded the president of a commitment he made in July 2025 regarding the regularization of the status of approximately 1,690 contract professors, arguing that the pledge represented more than a political statement; it was a promise that restored hope to academics who have spent years awaiting permanent employment.

Speaking to The Beiruter, Dr. Jamil Habib, Professor at the Lebanese University’s Faculty of Science, explained that the issue is closely linked to the university’s academic performance, research output, institutional stability, and long-term development.

A structural challenge facing the Lebanese University

Dr. Habib described the full-time appointment file as one of the most fundamental issues confronting the LU. He noted that no university can effectively function when a substantial proportion of its academic staff remains employed on temporary contracts rather than as permanent faculty members.

Contract professors, he explained, often teach simultaneously at multiple universities in order to secure sufficient income. While this arrangement enables them to continue working, it inevitably limits the time they can dedicate to research, student supervision, curriculum development, and participation in university administration.

Academic stability, he argued, benefits both professors and students. “A faculty member who enjoys financial security and a stable position can devote significantly more time to scientific research, mentoring students, and contributing to institutional development,” he asserted. Consequently, the issue should not be viewed solely as a labor matter but as one that directly influences the quality of higher education and the university’s overall reputation.

“This is not simply a problem concerning contract instructors. It also affects the Lebanese University’s image.”

Dr. Habib added that many contract professors have remained in temporary positions for 15 to 20 years, making the need for a sustainable solution increasingly urgent.

12 years without new full-time appointments

According to Dr. Habib, the last major round of full-time appointments at the LU took place in 2014.

Since then, 12 have passed, and neither the authorities nor successive governments have been able to grant new full-time appointments despite the university’s growing needs.

Under normal circumstances, he explained, universities determine their staffing requirements independently. University administrations assess academic needs each year and recruit faculty accordingly, ensuring that departments continue to develop in line with educational demand and emerging disciplines.

In Lebanon, however, the appointment process requires Cabinet approval, making what would ordinarily be an administrative decision subject to broader governmental considerations. Instead of conducting regular, incremental appointments every year or every 2 years, successive governments postponed the process altogether. As a result, the number of contract instructors steadily increased while the backlog continued to expand.

Dr. Habib stressed that a more effective mechanism governing recruitment should have been established years ago. The absence of such a system has transformed what could have been a routine administrative process into a major institutional challenge.

Persistent political, financial, and administrative obstacles

The prolonged delay, Dr. Habib explained, stems from several overlapping factors rather than a single obstacle.

He noted that the Cabinet has already acknowledged the university’s need for approximately 1,690 professors. The next challenge involves securing the financial resources necessary to fund these positions while ensuring that appointments are based on genuine institutional needs.

Beyond funding, candidates must also be evaluated according to their qualifications, academic competence, and specialization. The university must ensure that appointments correspond with future educational priorities and the disciplines required over the coming decade.

Dr. Habib also acknowledged that Lebanon’s political system has complicated the process. Various political, regional, and social considerations have historically influenced public appointments, preventing the issue from being handled strictly according to professional and academic standards. The country’s prolonged political instability, followed by the severe financial crisis, further delayed progress and increased the size of the file. Likewise,

A gradual and merit-based approach

Rather than appointing all eligible professors simultaneously, Dr. Habib advocated for a phased implementation based on transparent academic standards and the government’s financial capacity.

“If public finances permit only 100 appointments initially,” he argued, “then the government should begin with that number rather than postponing the entire process.” What matters most is that appointments proceed according to clear and objective criteria. “Appointing all 1,700 professors at once would also be disastrous because no institution can absorb such a massive intake in a single step,” he acknowledged.

He stressed that academic excellence must remain the primary standard. Candidates should be evaluated according to their qualifications, research publications, academic achievements, and the university’s actual needs across different disciplines.

The primary criterion remains academic merit and the government’s financial capacity.

Age should also be considered as part of long-term planning. Appointing a large number of professors approaching retirement age would offer only a temporary solution, whereas balancing experience with younger academics could strengthen the institution over a longer period.

Similarly, appointments should reflect the university’s distribution of campuses and faculties while responding to emerging academic fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and other rapidly evolving technological disciplines.

Although Dr. Habib rejected reducing appointments to sectarian quotas, he highlighted that the LU serves as a national institution representing all Lebanese society. Consequently, appointments should preserve institutional and national balance while ensuring that merit remains the overriding criterion.

Strengthening the university’s future

Dr. Habib believed that resolving the file would produce significant long-term benefits for both professors and the institution.

Permanent professors would no longer need to divide their time among multiple universities, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to teaching, supervising students, conducting research, and participating in academic life. Greater professional and financial stability would naturally improve productivity and strengthen scientific output.

He also pointed out that internationally recognized university rankings consider factors such as the number of permanent faculty members, research publications, and student enrollment. Increasing the number of full-time professors could therefore improve the LU’s international standing while enhancing its research profile.

Looking further ahead, Dr. Habib argued that a stronger academic workforce could help transform the LU into a more productive institution through expanded partnerships with the private sector. Experienced professors would have greater opportunities to engage in applied research, innovation, and collaborative projects that contribute to both national development and the university’s financial sustainability.

Therefore, the renewed call by contract professors reflects years of accumulated delays which many academics argue that maintaining the status quo is no longer sustainable. Whether through a phased implementation or a broader reform process, many within the university community now view meaningful progress on the file as essential to securing the institution’s long-term future.