AUB initiative to create opportunities for academia and production sector

At a time when political discord and national instability are prompting young people to lose faith in their country and leave for greener pastures, AUB started an Industrial Technology Initiative (ITI) with the aim of bridging the gap between the academic and industrial sectors, in the hopes that this will increase innovation, productivity and job opportunities, thus wooing young talents to stay in Lebanon.

The initiative, which was made possible through a partnership with the National Council of Scientific Research (NCSR), the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (LIRA), Arab Research Institute in Science, and Engineering (ARISE), as well as technology suppliers, such as National Instruments and Omron, was launched at a workshop grouping industrialists, academics and technology suppliers in College Hall B-1 on November 16.

"The relationship between educational systems and economic development has been proven," said Fuad Mrad, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at AUB, and the driving force behind the initiative, which also includes a team of eight other engineering professors from AUB.

"In Lebanon, we have invested heavily in education, but unfortunately, have not been able to capitalize on this investment," added Mrad. "We are in fact good at exporting our educated and skilled people."

Enter the Industrial Technology Initiative, which aims to establish a framework to support local and regional industry through applied research, consulting services, and training programs. ITI will harness technologies and deploy knowledge for enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

The Lebanese industrial sector is mostly comprised of small to medium-sized technologies, which have proven to be a source of entrepreneurship and a core of economic growth, noted Mrad. But in order to enhance their competitive edge in a region filled with cheap labor, they need to keep on upgrading their production process through the latest technologies. "The benefits of technology in enterprises include increased savings in total costs of operations and productivity, as well as the efficient production of quality goods that can compete internationally, thus reaching wider markets much faster," said Mrad. Moreover, students will learn a lot from their hands-on experience in creating technological solutions for real-life problems in local industries.

This marriage between technology, industries and academia was considered a "win-win-win" situation by participants at the launch workshop.

Indeed, according to Victor Mieres, National Instruments' vice president for Asia and the Rest of World, technology suppliers cannot do anything without the industrialists who need that technology and who also need the academics and researchers to understand and adapt the technology to their needs. "It is a true pleasure to be here with you today," said Mieres, at the ITI launch.

Mieres came to AUB also to launch the Virtual Instrumentation Center of Excellence, which is equipped with National Instruments technology. The center will provide students and faculty with the tech tools to apply and design engineering concepts. For instance, a software called LabVIEW allows engineers who might not be as well-versed in computer programming to create their own programs by using images or drawings instead of computer codes.

"This initiative is very important to help move the industry to high value-added production and services by increasing the input of local knowledge," said Hassan Shareef, from the NCSR.

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Dean Ibrahim Hajj congratulated everyone on this bold move, thanking all those involved in its success.

"There is no question that the industrial sector is one of the main driving forces of the Lebanese economic growth," said President of the Industrialists Association Fadi Abboud in a written statement, read by Nabil Gemayel. "Thus, Lebanon has to set up an advanced and developed industrial sector to absorb local demand, attract investments, and increase exports."

Abboud added that the new initiative will provide the "technical know-how and the laboratory services to improve the local manufacturing sector's competitiveness and growth."

Gemayel added that there is a great need to invest in design and innovation since both enhance productivity, while making better use of space and creating a more marketable product.

Abdul Hamid Hallab, special advisor to AUB President John Waterbury and one of the founders of the Regional External Programs (REP) at AUB, said that the REP helps coordinate the work of AUB faculties beyond the campus and will be pleased to coordinate any training activities needed by the industry.

"Technology is not a magic wand that can solve all the problems facing local industry," said Mrad, as he wrapped up his presentation. "Competitors are using technology, can we afford not to?"

ITI ppt presentation.