Careers, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Lebanese University.
Centre MINE is a very active unit established at the Lebanese University in December 2018 with the support of the EU-funded Erasmus+ project RESUME about a Mediterranean Network for Employability. The Centre has proved itself despite the difficult circumstances of Lebanon and of the Lebanese University as a supporting unit for advising, training and capacity building.
The MINE was formally founded as an independent entity at the Lebanese University on 13 Dec 2018-Decree 4180. It is linked to the LU President Office and located at the Rafic Hariri campus-Hadath, Beirut. The Centre works with the LU 19 Faculties and institutes over 64 geographical branches. It was founded by Prof. Selim Mekdessi, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration who was involved in the implementation of the project RESUME. Prof. Riad Makdissi who co-founded the centre is currently the Director of the centre MINE.
The MINE addresses the shift towards a new concept of employment that is more demanding. Graduates are considered as Skill Providers not just job seekers, and the concept of ‘innovation with the aim of entrepreneurship’ or ‘entrepreneurship with the aim of innovation’ shapes the development of humanity and makes economic and social development interdependent. The Lebanese University seeks to be a major player in the role that HEIs in Lebanon play to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship among students and citizens. The Centre is now working with all Faculties and 81’000 students.
The centre aims to:
To achieve its goals, Centre MINE endeavours to hold training courses, scientific, cultural, research and other meetings and activities, and is concluding agreements and partnerships with stakeholders locally and internationally.
Best Practice 2020 by Unimed:
The Union of Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED - L'Union des universités de la Méditerranée) chose the Careers, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at the Lebanese University (Center MINE) to be named “Best Practice” for the year 2020, "in appreciation of its role and practices in developing students' skills and providing more job opportunities."
UNIMED, which includes 130 universities from 23 Mediterranean countries, relied on “a set of standards adopted by Center MINE and conforming to the goals of (UNIMED), most notably: Working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - Agenda 2030, encouraging innovation, focusing on entrepreneurship, empowering women, improving employability and organizing courses.”
The following figures give a quantitative idea about the achievements made in 2020:
We help students build confidence, explore possibilities, and develop a powerful personal brand. We equip them with the skills and mindset they need to become Skills Providers, Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. We leverage our relationships with employers, alumni, faculty and staff to facilitate meaningful experiences, mentoring connections and partnerships that position students for success in their careers and their communities.
A future in which students discover and develop meaningful career paths, own and shape their personal and professional journeys that enhance their lives and communities.
