- District of Zahrani, Lebanon
- +961 7 420 720
- info@pu.edu.lb
Minorities Center
The Minorities Center, functioning under the direct oversight of the University Diversity Office (UDO) — which in turn reports to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) and the Chancellor — provides a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals from diverse backgrounds — including women, people with disabilities, individuals from ethnic and national minority backgrounds, and those from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LLMICs) and low-income households — can feel respected, supported, and empowered. The Center is dedicated to promoting diversity, fostering mutual understanding, and ensuring that every member of the university community has a sense of belonging.
The Center works to support these individuals by addressing challenges related to identity, culture, or inclusion, with a particular focus on groups most at risk of being underserved. It plays an active role in identifying, tracking, and formally escalating their needs — spanning tuition and financial aid, academic support, health services, food and housing assistance, and transportation — to the relevant university departments, helping ensure equitable access to support at every stage of a person's time at Phoenicia University (PU).
Support Pathways
Coordinates support for women whose education or employment is at risk of interruption — or has already been paused — for any reason, including childcare needs, marriage, caregiving responsibilities, or financial hardship. Rather than navigating these challenges alone across multiple departments, women can turn to the Center as a single point of coordination to plan a path to resume their studies or work. Responsible for:
- Connecting individuals to PU's subsidized childcare partnership with the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped (LWAH) where childcare is the barrier
- Coordinating directly with academic, HR, and financial aid departments to support re-enrollment or return to work where the barrier is financial, academic, or logistical
- Guiding women through pauses in education or career using staff trained in humanitarian leadership, infant/young child feeding in emergencies, and gender-based violence and reproductive health support
Works with students and employees to identify what is needed — whether a physical accommodation, an assistive device, or a therapy referral — and helps put it in place, so that living with a disability does not stand in the way of completing a degree or doing a job well. Responsible for:
- Connecting individuals to the Patient Access Office and Social Services through PU's partnership with the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped (LWAH)
- Liaising directly with academic, HR, or facilities teams on extended deadlines, accessible classroom arrangements, or adjusted work conditions
- Assessing assistive technology (AT) needs, implementing solutions, and training multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams, drawing on staff trained in Educational and Assistive Technology for people with special needs
Serves as a point of contact for other underrepresented groups, including students and employees facing financial hardship and international or ethnic minority students navigating integration challenges. Responsible for:
- Connecting individuals to the relevant university office — financial aid, student affairs, or global outreach international office — depending on their need
- Assessing needs of students and employees from low-income households and the bottom income quintile, who face compounded financial, academic, and social barriers
- Coordinating emergency financial assistance, adjusted or deferred tuition arrangements, work-study or income-support opportunities, or referral to external welfare and NGO partners
💬 How to get support
Any member of the PU community can reach out to the Minorities Center directly, or through the UDO. Staff will listen and direct you to the right pathway above. Center staff are specially trained in women's empowerment, gender equality, disability support, and assistive technology to handle sensitive cases with care.
Colleges
Contact info
Phoenicia University
Main Campus
District of Zahrani
South Lebanon
Tel.: +961 7 420 720
E-mail: info@pu.edu.lb
Main Campus
District of Zahrani
South Lebanon
Tel.: +961 7 420 720
E-mail: info@pu.edu.lb