About

Centre MINE - مركز المهن والأبتكار وريادة الأعمال

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:

  • Reduce the gap between the University and the world of business,
  • Improve the employability of students and their professional integration,
  • Develop the ability of innovation and creativity,
  • Spread the entrepreneurship culture,
  • Create and activate a behavioral unit (Nudge),
  • Create and activate a business incubator for innovative projects,
  • Meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

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:

  • 14065 beneficiaries,
  • 2601 job vacancies published,
  • 2414 candidates were selected for job interviews,
  • 1347 recruiting companies were involved,
  • 269 FREE workshops, seminars and webinars were conducted,
  • 77 coaches and mentors provided services to Centre MINE,
  • 14 national, regional and international competitions and programmes were implemented.
  • 200+ worskshops & programs’ topics 

Mission

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.

Vision

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.

10 Points of Culture

  1. Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures 
  2. Integrity: Carry out all our work with the greatest responsibility and accountability 
  3. Ethics: We strive to meet the highest ethical standards 
  4. Learning: We challenge each other to strive for excellence and to continually learn. 
  5. Innovation: We embrace continuous improvement, bold creativity and change
  6. Commitment to Diversity among the students, team & partners 
  7. Discovery: Explore and bring to light new knowledge and ideas, and better ways of doing business 
  8. Excellence: Deliver the highest-quality services in all endeavors 
  9. Service: Be of benefit to the public and our stakeholders for FREE
  10. Fun: Create an atmosphere of fun & positivity to be reflected on the community