The Entrepreneurship Center EC² at USJ, in collaboration with Berytech and various USJ institutions, hosted 8 transformative "Idea Days." These ideation events brought together students, industry experts, and facilitators to tackle regional challenges, explore innovative solutions, and empower the next generation of changemakers.

From South Lebanon to Bekaa, the virtual Idea Days offered students the chance to brainstorm, refine, and bring their ideas closer to reality through expert-led discussions, interactive sessions, and mentoring.

1. Faculty of Sciences Idea Day: Unveiling Opportunities in Sciences

Date: August 29th, 2024
Focus: Challenges and opportunities in the Sciences industry
Hosted by Mr. Georges Salloum (i-Stay) and Pr Georges Andrea, the event was a collaborative effort with insights from Malia Group company representatives and Berytech experts. Students explored industry challenges, innovation potential, and received valuable feedback during roundtable sessions.

2. School of Engineering of Beirut: Technology Ideas to Improve the lives of Lebanese citizens

Dates: October 9th and 30th, 2024
Focus: Challenges and opportunities in the Technology sector
Hosted by Ms Ursula El Hage, Ms Nour Sardouk and Mr Georges Salloum, the event was a collaborative effort with insights from Ms. Carla Saba (Berytech) and industry experts from Berytech. Students explored industry challenges, innovation potential, and received valuable feedback during breakout sessions.

3. South Lebanon Campus Idea Day: Unveiling Opportunities in South Lebanon

Date: November 7th, 2024
Focus: Challenges and opportunities in South Lebanon
Hosted by Mr. Georges Salloum (i-Stay) and Dr. Maria Frangieh (Socialprise), the event was a collaborative effort with insights from Ms. Carla Saba (Berytech) and Mr. Hani Bidawi (Ahlouna Association). Students explored regional challenges, innovation potential, and received valuable feedback during breakout sessions.

4. ESMOD Campus Idea Day: Where Creativity Meets Opportunity

Date: November 8th, 2024
Focus: Creativity in the fashion industry
With guidance from Mr. Hisham Sardouk (LC Waikiki) and Berytech experts, ESMOD students explored trends and creative solutions to regional challenges. Facilitated by Mr. George Salloum and Pr. George Andrea, the event turned imaginative ideas into actionable plans.

5. North Lebanon Campus Idea Day: Transforming Ideas into Impact

Date: November 9th, 2024
Focus: Technology and startups in the North
Industry insights from Mr. Fadi Mikati (Tripoli Entrepreneurs’ Club) and Berytech experts helped participants navigate the startup ecosystem and regional investment potential.

6. ELFS Campus Idea Day: Driving Social Impact

Date: November 11th, 2024
Focus: Social sector opportunities
Guided by Ms. Sima Antabli (Himaya) and Berytech experts, students tackled social challenges and explored innovative solutions for creating impactful partnerships and securing funding.

7. Zahle and Bekaa Campus Idea Day: Agricultural and Industrial Innovations

Date: November 12th, 2024
Focus: Agriculture and business in the Bekaa
Facilitated by Mr. Nicolas Bou Fayssal (Gardenia), this event emphasized local market dynamics and industrial growth potential, equipping participants with actionable insights to transform regional challenges into opportunities.

Empowering Students for the Future

Across all campuses, participants engaged in:

• Breakout sessions with facilitators and experts for personalized feedback
• Mentoring opportunities to refine ideas further
• Preparation for pitch decks to compete in EC²’s upcoming innovation competitions

Idea Days not only sparked innovation but also empowered students to transform their visions into impactful ventures. By fostering collaboration between students, educators, and industry leaders, USJ continues to cement its role as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence.

Stay tuned for the next phase of this journey as students move closer to showcasing their groundbreaking ideas at EC²’s innovation competitions!