The head of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Taymour Jumblatt, visited the central administration of the Lebanese University, leading a delegation that included MPs Wael Abu Faour, Hadi Abu al-Hassan, and Bilal Abdullah, as well as the Secretary-General of the "Progressive" party, Zafar Nasser, the head of the Progressive Meeting for University Professors, Dr. Mona Raslan, and Dr. Walid Safi. They were received by the university president, Bassam Badran, alongside several deans and advisors, where a discussion took place about the university's concerns and upcoming challenges. Jumblatt affirmed the party's historical support for the Lebanese University, "which represents a fundamental national cause and an educational institution for students from various backgrounds, and serves as an inclusive national gathering."
Jumblatt also expressed his understanding of all the demands of the Lebanese University, "especially during this difficult period," emphasizing the necessity of standing by the students and professors, and working to launch a normal academic year to the greatest extent possible. Jumblatt listened to the university president, who provided an overview of the university's core demands, particularly the approval of the university budget for 2023 amounting to 4,000 billion Lebanese Pounds and 5,800 billion for 2024, in addition to approving incentives for professors valued at no less than 12 million dollars (these incentives are distributed to professors at an average of 300 dollars monthly, in addition to their salaries in Lebanese Pounds), to halt the emigration of professors and save the academic year.
The delegation also discussed with Badran the granting of tenure, noting that the president would fund the costs of tenure from the revenues of increased fees this year (with revenues estimated at around 700 billion Lebanese Pounds), and the government's approval to hold a competition to fill vacancies in the administrative positions at the university. Jumblatt concluded by stating that the Democratic Gathering and the "Progressive" party would communicate with the Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, and all stakeholders to assist as much as possible in meeting these demands.
