Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, met, at the Grand Serail on Wednesday, with a delegation of the House Committee of Education, comprising MPs Hassan Mrad, Ihab Hamade and Ashraf Baydoun.

Talks reportedly touched on the conditions of public schools’ teachers.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

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Syrian Minister of Education, Darem Tabbaa, discussed today with Lebanese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Damascus, Talal Daher, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the educational sector.

Minister Tabbaa referred to the ministry’s role in receiving Syrian students coming from Lebanon to sit for their general exams every year and coordinating between both sides in a way that serves the students’ interest.

For his part, Daher emphasized the role of the education sector in achieving the goals of sustainable development and influencing and developing society, expressing the readiness of the Lebanese side to cooperate in the field of advancing educational relations in a way that enhances children’s opportunities for education and achieves their interest.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post SYRIAN EDUCATION MINISTER DISCUSSES WITH LEBANESE CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES IN DAMASCUS WAYS OF PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

The Russian House in Beirut is in the process of selecting Lebanese students who wish to study in Russian universities at the expense of the Russian Federation government for the year 2023-2024, noting that the Russian government has allocated 145 scholarships for the Lebanese this year.

Applicants from all levels of university education and majors are accepted. Those wishing to participate in the selection must register on the official website: https://education-in-russia.com, until February 20, 2023.

Additional information about registration and required documents can also be obtained by visiting the Russian House in Beirut in person or via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StudyInRussiaForLebanese

Or call: +961-7169730.

Source: Natiional News Agency – Lebanon

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The following is a statement by Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon: “Children in Lebanon are experiencing another devastating disruption to their education following the closure of public schools at the beginning of this month. Unless schools reopen without delay, the immediate and long-term impacts on their learning, protection and future prosperity will be insurmountable and will hinder prospects for a sustainable recovery from the current economic crisis.

Children cannot afford losing access to learning. Schools must stay open.

With our international partners, we have been advocating for the best interest of children. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) has proposed a way forward answering the immediate needto bring all children back to school.

Yet, we urge the Government of Lebanon to prioritize long term solutions through the 2023 country budgetand take steps to support teachers with an income which provides dignity and so that children can access quality, safe and inclusive education.

UNICEF and the international community continue to provide significant resources to ensure all children living in Lebanon have access to education. We are encouraged by progress made by MEHE on reforms to strengthen transparency and ensure effective and efficient use of funds which allow schools to function and provide an inclusive and safe environment for children.

Today more than ever all stakeholders must prioritizeaddressing the learning catastrophe. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with MEHE and the Government of Lebanon to keep schools safe and openand ensure all children are back to school.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post UNICEF URGES THE GOVERNMENT OF LEBANON TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION AND TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO OPEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

In his delivered speech during a ceremony commemorating the late Jamal Abdel-Nasser, MP Hassan Murad accused “the political class and those who must find solutions in Lebanon of bankruptcy,” stressing that they “are waiting to steal what the World Bank will give them, in addition to withdrawing what is left in people’s pockets after stealing their savings!”

Murad warned, “of a major national catastrophe represented in the collapse of the educational sector, which, if it occurs, will have huge repercussions, and entire generations will pay for it.”

With regard to the western Bekaa region and the severe power cuts, the MP , Murad pointed to the unfair distribution of electricity in said region, blaming “allies and adversaries alike.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post MURAD CRITICIZES POLITICAL CLASS, WARNS OF EDUCATIONAL SECTOR’S COLLAPSE appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Out of 100 applicants, 11 startups made it to the final round and competed at the American University of Beirut President’s Innovation Challenge pitching and awards ceremony held at the Beirut Digital District.

“This annual occasion allows us to celebrate innovation as an instrument of entrepreneurship, and as a sign that we have taken on our human responsibility to play a role in improving our lives, and the lives of others around us,” said Dr. Fadlo Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut.

The challenge, now in its third edition, gathers startups from the AUB community – including students, staff, faculty members, and alumni – with innovative ideas that can be developed into a scalable and financially sustainable business model, which in turn can have a considerable impact on people’s lives and well-being.

“We truly believe that young innovative ideas will have a significant impact on the world we live in,” said Dr. Yousif Asfour, American University of Beirut’s chief innovation and transformation officer. “The Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park is here to help discover and nurture those ideas into fully impactful projects.”

The themes explored this year were in the areas of artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, healthcare, environment, society, supply chain, as well as cultural and environmental fitness. Each finalist team had three minutes to pitch their idea, followed by a four-minute Q&A session with the judges.

The first prize, worth $30,000, went to NADEERA, which helps instill circular economy practices through technology-enabled interventions. The second prize, worth $15,000, went to Neural Vision, the first software that analyzes OCT eye scans to assess healing after surgery. The Chinyeh Hostler Award worth $10,000, which was given for the first time to the winning team for social innovation, went to HOL XP, which empowers everyone to code using natural language. The People’s Choice Award was also introduced this year for the first time, where the public got to vote for their favorite team. This award went to U Paint, a solution using easy coded points on canvas to paint.

All winners benefit from incubation as well as mentorship support at the Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park.

Other finalists were TA?BIR, an Arabic mental health bot; Organic Farm, which offers farmers affordable and effective fertilizers through organic waste transformation; Host & Ghost, a platform that helps cloudify any restaurant to expand and scale anywhere in the world; Numu, an easy-to-use financial software; Intervu.ai, helping employers unearth the right talent; Phish E, which protects companies from phishing attacks; and No Deaffence, a software that translates speech into sign language.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post STARTUPS WIN $55,000 AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT PRESIDENT’S INNOVATION CHALLENGE appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Vice Head of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, Sheikh Ali Khatib, met on Tuesday with UK Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell. to whom he wished success on his diplomatic mission in the country.

The pair reportedly discussed the means to develop the bilateral relations between Lebanon and the UK, in addition to the current general situation on the local and regional scenes.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

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Today in Beirut, Administrator Samantha Power announced USAID will provide $50 million for Lebanese and refugee students to attend the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), and Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU).

Of the $50 million, $15 million will support 140 full undergraduate scholarships to AUB and LAU for financially disadvantaged yet academically meritorious students.

The remainder of the funds will provide partial need-based financial aid for about 3,500 students over the next three years to help students who can no longer afford tuition amidst Lebanon’s economic crisis.

Since 2010, USAID has provided more than $156 million in full undergraduate scholarships to more than 1,600 Lebanese and refugee students who might not otherwise be able to attend a university. USAID also works closely with these universities to prepare students with technical and manufacturing skills applicable to emerging sectors, such as solar power.

This new funding reflects USAID’s continued commitment to empowering youth to shape Lebanon’s future.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN LEBANON appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday chaired at the Grand Serail a meeting devoted to discussing preparations underway for the 2023 state budget in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, Caretaker Minister of Finance, Youssef Khalil, and other concerned officials.

Mikati separately welcomed MP Michel Daher.

Moreover, Premier Mikati met at the Grand Serail with Caretaker Minister of Education and Higher Education, Abbas Al-Halabi, in the presence of former MP Bahia Hariri.

The PM also received at the Grand Serail Lebanon’s General Security Chief, Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

On the other hand, Mikati patronized the annual ceremony for the distribution of scholarships for high school distinguished students, which was held at the Grand Serail, at the invitation of the National Council for Scientific Research.

In his delivered word, Mikati addressed the Lebanese youth and distinguished students, saying “You, young women and men, are Lebanon’s hope and you are drawing the horizon for excellence,” adding, “You are main partners in role and responsibility and in building the nation through dialogue and consensus.”

The ceremony was attended by Caretaker Ministers of Education Judge Abbas Halabi, Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, Agriculture Dr. Abbas Hajj Hassan, and Information Ziad Makary, former MP Bahia Hariri, Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research Dr. Tamara Al-Zein, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makiya, in addition to scores of ambassadors, director generals, university presidents and the honored students.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post (UPDATE) MIKATI CHAIRS MEETING OVER 2023 STATE BUDGET, MEETS CARETAKER NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER, GS’S IBRAHIM appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

The American University of Beirut signed a collaboration agreement with the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) in the field of plasma science and magnetic fusion. The aim is to support the common research programs at the university and ASIPP with the possibility to contribute to the research program on EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak). This way, AUB becomes a partner of the BEST (Burning Experimental Superconducting Tokamak) project.

The signing ceremony was attended in person by his excellency Qian Minjian, the Chinese ambassador to Lebanon; Professor Zaher Dawy, American University of Beirut provost; Dr. Bilal Nsouli, director of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission; Dr. Tuong Hoang, representative of ASIPP; and members of the American University of Beirut community. Professor Yuntao Song, general director of ASIPP, and his team also joined the event online.

In his speech, Ambassador Minjian said, “AUB is the first university in the Middle East to reach collaboration agreements with ASIPP. This cooperation marks a breakthrough of the China Arab States Cooperation in the field of peaceful development and use of nuclear energy.” He added, “I wish the two sides smooth cooperation. I also look forward to more cooperation between China and Lebanon in the fields of science, technology, education, and youth exchanges…”

Dr. Dawy, American University of Beirut provost, spoke about the importance of investing in research in Lebanon, and the importance of collaborations across the globe. “We strongly believe in partnerships, outcome-driven partnerships,” he said, stating that the university faculty members have recently collaborated with countries in every direction around the world. “We’re a region that still lacks research collaborations, and maybe today’s event is in the direction to enhance our partnerships, to China specifically.”

Dr. Bilal Nsouli, the director of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, said, “I am really proud to see the American University of Beirut concluding years of continuous efforts that allowed it to be part of the international plasma physics research community, and opening new doors for future leaders in the region to receiving high-quality education in science and technology, and to excel in their field of specialization by using its regional and international cooperative network.”

The event featured a presentation on fusion energy research at AUB by Dr. Ghassan Antar, as well as a presentation on ASIPP and fusion research in China by Dr. T. Hoang. A reception followed the signing ceremony to celebrate the occasion.

About ASIPP

The Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) was founded in September 1978 for the purpose of the peaceful utilization of fusion energy. As one of the leading institutes in fusion research, it aims to achieve the safe, clean, and sustainable application of fusion energy. ASIPP research covers the areas of plasma physics as well as fusion technology and industry. The institute works through global collaborations and educates and trains the next generation of fusion scientists and engineers.

ASIPP promotes active and extensive international cooperation. In the past 35 years, ASIPP has collaborated with the EU, USA, Russia, Japan, and other nations, through a variety of projects and fields. The EAST tokamak has become an open test bench and platform for world fusion scientists. Every year, it has attracted more than a hundred scientists from home and abroad to conduct their experiments.

For more information about ASIPP visit http://english.ipp.cas.cn/ — AUB

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

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