Founded in 1983 by Dr. Amjad Naboulsi, C&E College (Computer and Educational College of Hotel Management and Technical Studies)-Beirut - Makassed Center, was the beginning of a greater vision to establish a higher learning institution in Lebanon that offered a quality yet affordable education. Preparations for this institution began in 1995 when Dr. Naboulsi gathered a group of academics who shared his vision. Their joint vision became a reality on August 7, 2000 when the C & E American University Institute received its license from the government under Presidential Decree #3585/2000 to offer graduate and undergraduate programs. Further acknowledgement of their efforts came on March 12, 2004 when C&E AUI's degree programs were officially recognized and granted equivalency by the Lebanese Ministry of Education & Higher Education.
On 17 of June 2009, the Lebanese Ministry of Education & Higher Education granted the authorization to transform C&E AUI to the American University of Culture & Education - AUCE under the Presidential Decree #2292.