Landmark Rise in Student Participation Marks AUB’s 2025–26 Elections

The American University of Beirut (AUB) held its student elections for the 2025–26 academic year, a landmark event that reaffirmed the university’s dedication to democratic principles and student leadership. This year’s elections carried special significance, as they marked a widely anticipated return after their suspension during the 2024 war on Lebanon.

Across AUB’s seven faculties, 233 student candidates campaigned for positions within both the University Student Faculty Committee (USFC) and the Student Representative Committees (SRCs). Of these, 52 contested for the USFC and 181 for the SRCs, demonstrating the diversity of student voices and the vibrancy of participation across the university. This year also witnessed a significant surge in the number of registered voters, with 70 percent of eligible students having signed up compared to 59 percent in the last elections—a reflection of heightened student engagement and their collective desire to take part in shaping the university’s future.

“This year we are seeing, even by our own standards, extremely brisk and high-level participation in the student elections,” said Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president. “The American University of Beirut models citizen leadership, and once more, our students are leading the way in showing that a better future for Lebanon and the region is possible. They embody responsible citizenship.”

The campaign period extended from Monday, October 20, to Wednesday, October 22, during which candidates shared their visions and proposed solutions to pressing student issues. A highlight of the campaign was the traditional debate near West Hall, organized by Outlook, AUB’s student publication. The debate provided candidates with a platform to present their agendas, engage in open dialogue, compare perspectives, and address student concerns before a wide audience. A mandated silence day on Thursday, October 23, then provided a pause for reflection ahead of the vote.

“Student life at AUB provides students with the opportunity to grow as leaders and ethical decision makers,” noted Dr. Nayla Al-Akl, dean of student affairs at AUB. “By engaging in elections and leadership roles such as the USFC and SRC, students learn to navigate complexity, embrace uncertainty, and engage with difference. In facing these challenges, they become more innovative and more resilient. They cultivate the confidence to make responsible decisions that shape stronger, more thriving communities.”

Voting was held on Friday, October 24, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, through AUB’s secure online voting platform. The results were announced at 6:30 pm that evening to a lively gathering outside West Hall. The results were also published on the Office of Student Affairs website.