Student Activities

Student Activities

Medical school is more than an academic experience. Students at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine have opportunities to participate in activities that promote leadership, service, community engagement, international exposure, and personal development.

Two of the School’s principal medical student organizations are the LAU Medical Students’ Association (MSA) and the Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC).

MSA (LAU Medical Students’ Association)

The Medical Students Association is an LAU student club that embodies the humanitarian and community spirit of the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine. Throughout the year, the MSA organizes educational, social, awareness and fundraising initiatives that bring together medical students, residents, faculty, staff, and members of the wider community.

All LAU medical students are eligible to join the MSA and take part in its activities. T. The association is led by an eleven-member student board elected annually by their peers. In addition to the club president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, the MSA Board includes representatives leading the External Affairs, Social, USMLE, Awareness, Diagnostic Medicine Day (DMD), and Media Committees. A faculty member from the School of Medicine serves as official club advisor and provides guidance to the organization.

Signature Activities

Annual Fundraising Christmas Concert:

This lively event brings together medical students, residents, faculty, staff, and family members, both on stage and in the audience. Proceeds have supported charitable healthcare initiatives, including a free clinic at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, and a mobile clinic serving communities with limited access to healthcare.

Annual Fundraising Gala:

This formal event brings together members of the School of Medicine and medical center communities in an evening of celebration and connection. The event also provides an opportunity for the MSA to highlight its activities and achievements over the year. Proceeds support the MSA’s charitable initiatives.

National Health Day:

This student-led community outreach initiative provides health screening and education to underserved communities across Lebanon. MSA officers and members carry out the planning, organizing, recruiting, publicizing, and procuring of resources for the event. Medical students work alongside residents, physicians, and local volunteers to provide medical consultations, screening tests, and health promotion and disease-prevention information under appropriate medical supervision.

Social Awareness Events:

These campus-based activities raise awareness about health and well-being issues affecting the community.

Diagnostic Medicine Day:

The DMD is an annual case-solving competition, founded and organized by the LAU MSA, and open to medical schools across Lebanon. Student teams work through a medical case using the patient’s history, physical findings, and laboratory results to reach a diagnosis within a defined time and budget. The sole informational resource available to contestants is a specific textbook, and no technological assistance is allowed.

USMLE Preparation:

Medical students organize USMLE-based review sessions supporting peers preparing for international medical licensing examinations.

Student Voice

Alex Vahe Aprahamian

MSA President 2026/2027

“As President of MSA, I hope to create a supportive and engaging community where medical students feel connected, represented, and inspired to get involved. I took on this role with the goal of bringing students together and creating meaningful opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Through new initiatives, collaborations, and student-led activities, I hope to encourage personal and professional growth while making our medical school experience more enriching and memorable”.

Connect with MSA

Follow the MSA’s activities and events on its social media channels MSA Facebook page or Contact via email:msaclub.byblos@lau.edu.lb

LeMSIC (Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee)

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is a student-run organization that connects, medical students around the world. Founded in 1951, IFSMA represents more than 1.5 million medical students through over 135 National Member Organizations across more than 125 countries and territories. IFMSA is recognized as a non-governmental organization within the United Nations system and the World Health Organization and works with the World Medical Association.

The Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC) is the national member organization of IFMSA in Lebanon. Founded in 1964, LeMSIC is an independent, student-run, nonpolitical, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization. It provides medical students with opportunities to get involved in areas such as global health, medical education, public health, human rights, and international exchange.

LAU LeMSIC is an official student club at the university and provides LAU medical students with opportunities to participate in national projects, international professional and research exchanges, and activities with medical students from around the world.

International Exchange Opportunities

Through IFMSA’s professional and research exchange programs, LAU medical students can gain international, explore different healthcare and medical education systems, and connect with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The LAU School of Medicine also welcomes international medical students from the MENA region and Europe through these exchange programs, bringing an international dimension to the student community.

In addition to international SCOPE and SCORE exchanges opportunities, LAU LeMSIC participates in Med-Ex, a national initiative by LeMSIC that provides observership opportunities for medical students across Lebanon. Through Med-Ex, LAU Medical Center-Saint-John’s hospital welcomes medical students from other Lebanese universities for a one-month summer observership.

Six Areas of Engagement

LAU LeMSIC works through the six Standing Committees of IFMSA:

• SCOPE- Standing Committee on Professional Exchange

Provides medical students with opportunities to undertake international clinical and professional exchanges and experience healthcare systems in different cultural settings.

• SCORE- Standing Committee on Research Exchange

Promotes research education and provides international research-exchange opportunities for medical students.

• SCOPH- Standing Committee on Public Health

Addresses public health priorities through education, advocacy, awareness campaigns, community engagement, and health promotion activities.

• SCORA- Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS

Works to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights through education, awareness, advocacy, and community-based activities

• SCOME- Standing Committee on Medical Education

Empowers medical students to contribute to improving medical education while developing their skills as learners, educators, and future physicians

• SCORP- Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace

Promotes human rights, peace, humanitarian values, health equity, and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Student Leadership

The LAU LeMSIC local committee is headed by a Local Director, who coordinates the work of its members and standing committees, and collaborates with other local committees and the national team.

Each Standing Committee is led locally by a Local Officer and team, who plan and implement activities at LAU while collaborating with their respective national Standing Committees. The Local Committee works closely with LeMSIC’s national leadership and receives guidance and support from a designated faculty advisor at the School of Medicine.

Student Voices

Saba Al Alam

LAU Local Director – 2026/2027

Local Officer for Research Exchange-OUT LAU – 2025/2026

“Joining LeMSIC has been an opportunity to grow beyond the boundaries of medical school. It has taught me the value of service, teamwork, leadership, and meaningful connections, while giving me the chance to contribute to both my local and wider community. Through every experience, LeMSIC continues to remind me that being a medical student is not only about becoming a good physician, but also about becoming an active and responsible member of society.”

Aela Karaminassian

National Exchange Officer-OUT – 2026/2027

Assistant Local Exchange Officer LAU – 2025/2026

“My LeMSIC journey has been filled with growth, leadership, meaningful connections, and unforgettable experiences beyond borders. From serving as Assistant LEO at LAU to becoming NEO-Out and participating in a SCORE research exchange in Romania, each experience has shaped me both personally and professionally by broadening my perspective and deepening my passion for global healthcare collaboration”.

Connect with LeMSIC

Follow the LeMSIC’s activities and events on its social media channels:

- Instagram @lemsic.lebanon

- Facebook: @LeMSIC

- LinkedIn: Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC)

- Twitter: @LeMSICLebanon

- Website: lemsic.org

Or Contact via email: ld.lau@lemsic.org

Medics in Sports

Medics in Sports is a student-led initiative supported by the Office of Student Affairs that brings medical students, residents, and faculty together through outdoor and recreational activities. The initiative promotes active living, well-being, connection, and a sense of community across the School of Medicine.

Explore More at LAU

Medical students are also encouraged to explore the wide range of student clubs, organizations, activities, and opportunities available across the University and to become involved in areas that reflect their interests.