Program Details
2025 Cost:
USD 150
3-Day:
July 8 – July 10, 2025
Location:
Main Campus
Time:
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Program Overview
This three-day social enterprise program in Lebanon provides a comprehensive and immersive introduction to launching a new social enterprise aimed at solving current issues in food, nutrition, and health. This hands-on experience challenges high school students to collaborate with peers, apply innovative thinking, and learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
Throughout the program, students will explore the process of creating startups and develop core skills in research, opportunity testing, minimum viable product (MVP) development, marketing, scaling, and pitching. This program not only encourages students to think about their future but also provides them with the confidence and tools to pursue their entrepreneurial goals.
The program aims to foster social entrepreneurship and contribute to socio-economic development by equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform ideas into sustainable, impactful solutions.
| Time |
Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
| 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
Kick-off, Problem Identification, and Team Building |
Design Thinking, MVP Development, and Validation
Excursion to an Industry
|
Pitching Day and Product Development |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Break |
Break |
Break |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. |
Introduction to Nursing/MLT and Entrepreneurship Life Experience with Mary-Ann Haledjian |
Introduction to Human Nutrition and Entrepreneurship Life Experience with Melissa Abs, Co-Founder of Bites of Delights |
Introduction to Food Safety
Entrepreneurship Life Experience
|
| 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. |
Nursing Laboratory Visit
Student Work
|
Center for Obesity Prevention, Treatment, Education, and Research (COPTER) Visit
Student Work
|
MLT Laboratory Visit
Student Work
|
Participants
- Open to high school students (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)
Outcomes for Participants
- Learn core entrepreneurship techniques, including user research, opportunity testing, MVP development, marketing, scaling, and pitching.
- Collaborate in teams to develop and present a pitch for an early-stage startup.
- Gain exposure to successful entrepreneurs in Lebanon.
- Experience life at NDU.
- Receive valuable insights from guest speakers, including food and health scientists, and industry professionals.
Trainer Profiles
- Dr. Najwa El Gerges holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from the Lebanese University (1988), a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) and a Health Services Administration (H.S.A.) from the American University of Beirut (1991). She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Haute Alsace, France (2018). She is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Notre Dame University-Louaize.
- Dr. Christelle Bou Mitri holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Agriculture Chemistry from McGill University, Canada (2013). She is an Associate Professor of Food Science at Notre Dame University-Louaize.
- Dr. Sibelle Al Hayek holds a Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Sciences from the University of Kansas, USA (2021). She is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Notre Dame University-Louaize.
- Nassim Midani is an entrepreneur and Digital Health instructor. He specializes in the intersection of technology and healthcare, with a focus on innovative solutions in digital health and entrepreneurship.
Certificate of Attendance
All participants will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance on the final day of the program, distributed by the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Fees and Registration
Total Cost: USD 150.
Non-refundable registration fee: USD 50.
Contact Information
For more details or inquiries, please contact Dr. Najwa El Gerges:
E-mail: nelgerges@ndu.edu.lb
Phone: +961 3 568 388