The Lebanese International University (LIU) was established in April, 2001, under Presidential Decree No. 5294 as "The Bekaa University", with its campus in Bekaa, Al-Khyara, Al Bekaa Al Gharbi, and has since graduated its first Freshman class in June 2002. With a vision of becoming a true national university with international presence, a new campus in Beirut was opened and the name was changed to: "Lebanese International University (LIU)".