IAAF AWARDS

The Inas Academic Awards Foundation (IAAF) launched, in collaboration with the Competencies and Entrepreneurship Center (EC2) of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), at the Gulbenkian Amphitheater of the Social Sciences Campus on Huvelin Street, the competition for the best executable pilot project, in the presence of the rector of the university, professor Salim Daccache s.j, the two guests of honor, George Salibi and Talal Al-Jurdi, the dean of the Faculty of Management and Administration (FGM) of USJ, Prof. Fouad Zmokhol, Dr. Ursula El-Hage, director of the Career and Placement Office, Mrs. Carla Saba of Berytech, the managers, professors and students of USJ.

In her speech, Dr. Ursula El-Hage said, "The IAAF Entrepreneurship Award is critical to the development of our country. Helping our students and youth to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors is essential to achieve economic growth and prosperity. The challenge in Lebanon is that unemployment and growing poverty are one of the main sources of our political and social crises. There is a huge opportunity today for our students who are prepared to be leaders. They can create startups and be at the forefront of innovation and increase productivity."

"You can explore many opportunities," continues El-Hage, addressing students, “The agricultural sector in Lebanon is booming. There are hundreds of businesses being set up all over the country. Green energy is in high demand, and many industries are moving into green processing. There is a lot of room for social entrepreneurship, not to mention the technology factor that is growing globally. Digital transformation offers you the opportunity to serve the international market. It's up to you now, do you want to make a difference in your country? To challenge the status quo and the current political and social crisis, or do you want to leave? there is a lot of potential to be gained."

"At USJ, we try to facilitate the entrepreneurial journey through workshops, mentoring and various competitions, such as the IAAF award, through which we try to help you in the first stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Be sure to apply," concludes Dr. Ursula El-Hage.

Ms. Carla Saba reviewed the registration steps for the award and the cooperation between the Inas Foundation and Berytech, which aims to enable students to manage their projects and facilitate logistical issues, as well as ensure the implementation of the feasibility study.

For her part, the head of the Foundation, Ms. Inas Al-Jarmakani, addressed the students saying, "Our country is you, the youth of tomorrow, you are the change and the future, so how can we change the current situation if you all leave the country? Rather than fight to rebuild it."

The journalist, George Salibi, was inspired by the playwright Saadallah Wannous, and quoted him: "We are condemned to hope", to confirm that "it is true that we live in the most difficult period of the contemporary history of our country, but dreams need madness. We must dare to dream and persevere in order to achieve what we aspire to, to defy the obstacles and venture."

As for actor Talal Al-Jardi, he said, "Always remember how Martin Luther King, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela transformed their countries, use them as a reference. Don't let the spirit of defeatism erode you, overcome yourself...nothing comes easy."

In his speech, Professor Salim Daccache s.j, praised Mrs. Al-Jarmakani for her initiative, saying that "the crisis breeds lack, fear and mistrust, so some may seek new horizons under a sky other than Lebanon, but we must arm ourselves with faith in ourselves and in our abilities and energies that must be translated on the ground. "

It is worth noting that the "The Inas Academic Awards Foundation" organizes, for the fourth consecutive year, the IAAF AWARDS competition in Lebanese universities. A prize of 100 million LBP is awarded to the innovative and pioneering sustainable project of each university.