1979

LAU admitted the first batch of business students in Beirut.

1980

The Business Studies Division started to operate as an independent entity granting bachelor degrees in different concentration areas in business administration, when prior, it was under the social sciences department. 

1981

The Masters of Science in Business (MS) was launched as a graduate business program.

1992-1993

A  full-fledged school of business was established.

1994 

LAU admitted the first batch of business students in Byblos.

1996-1997

Two deans are appointed: Dr. Tarek Mikdashi for Beirut Campus and Dr. Wassim Shahin for Byblos Campus. Several chairpersons are also appointed to manage the various programs.
The Master in Business Administration (MBA) replaces the existing MS degree program.

2000

The introduction of two new undergraduate programs leading to BS degrees in Economics and Hospitality and Tourism Management, followed by the Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) program in the same year.

2001

The School of Business starts to award the bachelor of science degree in business instead of bachelor of arts.

2011

The School is unified under the direction of Dean Said Elfakhani.

2013

Dr. Said Ladki is appointed Interim Dean.  

2015

The School of Business is named after businessman Adnan Kassar as a tribute to his ongoing support for quality education. 

2016

The LAU Adnan Kassar School of Business earns the AACSB accreditation and joins the select number of accredited business schools worldwide. 

2019

LAU’s Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, acting on behalf of said board, approved, on July 8, 2019, the appointment of Dr. Wassim Shahin as dean of the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) for a term of four years, effective September 1, 2019.

The Hospitality and Tourism Management is declared as a separate department from the Marketing embracing its separate BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The Masters of Science in Human Resources Management (HRM) at the Lebanese American University provides graduate students with advanced knowledge in the areas of strategic HRM, human resource management functions, and human capital evaluation.

The launch of the Minor in Data Analytics. The mission is to provide a quality education in the field that combines theory and practice for undergraduate students, equipping them with the blend of skills necessary to engage in data-driven decision making and allowing them to enter the work force – as an employee or a self-employed person –  or pursue graduate studies. 

2020

AKSOB’s Business and Economics programs placed at No. 1 in Lebanon according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings, reflecting the quality and impact of its research, and caliber of its academic staff.

The Research Papers in Economics places LAU’s AKSOB at No. 1 in the Top 25 percent Institutions and Economists in Lebanon.

The School developed a strategic survival plan as approved by the faculty in the School general faculty meeting on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020.

2021

LAU’S AKSOB Hospitality and Tourism Management department earns the prestigious ACPHA accreditation.

Peer review team (PRT) of AACSB virtual visit took place.

LAU’s AKSOB has been reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, reflecting its holistic approach to education and the caliber of its faculty and academic staff.

For the second year in a row, LAU’s AKSOB placed at No. 1 in Lebanon thanks to its rigorous programs in business management, accounting, finance and economics. 

2023

Ranking 

For the third year running, the Adnan Kassar School of Business  maintained its position as a national and regional leader in Business and Economics according to the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Ranking. Notably, it improved by one bracket compared to 2022 reaching the top 251-300 rank. The school also scored high in the Arab World (number 6). It also ranked 1st in the Arab World and 42nd globally in Citations, one of the five ranking criteria used by THE, reflecting the university’s impact and influence in the field on an international scale. These outstanding results confirm the school’s distinction across its different programs, which fall under the subject ranking in business and economics. 

Link with the alumni

AKSOB continued an organized system to link on a regular basis with its alumni as the Dean started issuing a “Monthly Briefing from the Dean” mailed to over 23,000 alumni worldwide. Each issue includes a separate topic of essence to LAU such as the accreditation and recognition of AKSOB internationally, the degrees and programs offered at AKSOB, AKSOB’s strategic plan and the research of faculty.

Faculty Research

Faculty continued working heavily on research despite all challenges. This year, LAU’s results (according to the 2022 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject) indicated a significant increase in two research metrics: H-Index and Citations per Paper. 

New/On-Line Programs

1. AKSOB Master of Business Administration in Global Business Administration has currently over 150 students enrolled at the end of 2022 from all over the world especially the Arab Gulf.
2. AKSOB MBA in Business Analytics program has picked-up with over 30 students since its launching in Fall 2022.

International Award Winning

A team of students from the Vertically Integrated Program led by Assistant Professor IT & Operations Management Department Joelle Nader won the International 2022 VIP Consortium Innovation Competition for their submission: A Lean Approach to Designing Sustainable Value Chains in Food, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries. The project, which combines several multidisciplinary approaches, promotes the implementation of lean and green practices in wineries and was found to meet most of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).