On Wednesday, December 3, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Industrial Research Institute (IRI) to establish and implement a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at the University. The signing ceremony was attended by NDU President, Fr. Bechara Khoury; Dr. Antoine Farhat, Advisor to the President for Presidential Affairs; Dr. Najib Metni, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Michel El Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Pauline Aad, Professor in the Department of Sciences and TTO Director; Dr. Elias Feghali, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and TTO Officer, and Ms. Theresa Bou Zgheib, TTO Administrative Liaison.
Representing the Industrial Research Institute were Mr. Naji Abi Zeid, ELCIM Director; Ms. Manale Tabanji, Financial and Administrative Coordinator; Ms. Carine Slaybi, Public Relations Officer; and Ms. Siham Youssef, Head of the Documentation Centre and Standards Division. Berytech was represented by Ms. Krystel Khalil, Programs Director, and Ms. Nadine Slim, Program Manager.
A Shared Vision for Innovation and Sustainability
In his address, Fr. Khoury emphasized the importance of collective effort and the power of collaboration, noting that true progress emerges when institutions work toward goals greater than individual achievements. He highlighted sustainability as a central pillar for empowering youth and strengthening institutional resilience, expressing gratitude to all partners and reaffirming NDU’s serious commitment to this strategic partnership.
From the perspective of the IRI, Mr. Abi Zeid described the collaboration as a deliberate choice based on NDU’s strong capabilities and long-standing commitment to sustainable development. The launch of the Technology Transfer Office was presented not as a short-term project, but as a long-term investment in human capital and student support, expertise development, and impactful innovation.
Strengthening Research, Education, and Industry Linkages
The event further reflected the University’s mission-driven character, with Dr. Michel El Hayek highlighting that NDU’s academic excellence is defined not only by institutional and programmatic accreditation, but by initiatives that directly serve student development. The new TTO was presented as an extension of this mission—a project designed to enrich the student experience, align education with global standards, and ensure quality remains central to every advancement.
Dr. Metni expressed optimism regarding the revival of innovation at NDU, describing the establishment of the TTO as a long-awaited strategic pillar for research and entrepreneurship at NDU. He characterized the new office as a catalyst designed to connect academic research with real-world applications, transforming ideas into tangible societal and economic impact.
Collaboration with Berytech and the Lebanon Innovate Program
Ms. Khalil, shared the origins of the Lebanon Innovate Program, which was created in response to the exceptional talent found in Lebanese universities. She highlighted the persistent challenge of students feeling compelled to leave the country to pursue research opportunities and explained that the program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by strengthening research support and commercial pathways. Despite recent national challenges, the success of the program was attributed to the commitment of partners and the wider innovation ecosystem, a commitment that extends fully to the new TTO initiative at NDU.
Academic and Institutional Leadership
Dr. Pauline Aad highlighted that the idea for the project emerged during specialized training focused on the valorization of research, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond traditional publication-focused outputs and expand the reach of applied research. She expressed strong optimism that the TTO will help map NDU’s expertise, deepen its relevance to industry needs, and anchor these efforts in sustainable practice.
Further insight into the selection process showed that NDU’s participation was the result of a careful assessment of top universities in Lebanon, as explained by Ms. Nadine Slim. Institutions were evaluated based on innovation maturity, curriculum strengths, research output, governance structures, and student support systems. NDU distinguished itself as one of the few universities capable of not only establishing such an office but sustaining it long-term, supported by strong strategic alignment and a robust Office of Research.
Investing in People and the Future of Innovation
Dr. Antoine Farhat reflected on the human dimension of the initiative, acknowledging the challenges faced by Lebanon since 2019. While many national projects were disrupted, he underscored that NDU’s priority has remained steadfast: investing in people. Despite difficult conditions, the University’s institutional maturity enabled it to continue innovating, adapting, and seeking ways to reduce the pressure of external circumstances while moving forward with clarity and purpose.
The establishment of the Technology Transfer Office represents a major milestone in NDU’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and student-centered development. It reflects confidence in Lebanon’s talent and demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships to transform ideas into meaningful solutions. Anchored in vision, resilience, and collaboration, the TTO is positioned to empower the next generation of researchers, innovators, and leaders.