On Friday April 26, 2013, under the patronage of the Minister of Industry, His Excellency Mr. Vrej Sabounjian, the Faculty of Sciences at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized its 3rd Scientific Day entitled: “Research and Development: When Science Meets Entrepreneurship”.
Following the Lebanese National Anthem, the Academic Secretary of the Faculty, Dr. Faten El Hage, welcomed the crowd and introduced Dr. Badih Baz, the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, who stated that “Since the dawn of the industrial revolution in Europe during the nineteenth century, scientific research has been the real motivator of this revolution… The great minds and innovators coming through from their universities and saying, the pipeline is full of ideas; therefore, our industries have to be ready to profit the most from these results, to front a whole new level of an industrialized country, tailored to the Lebanese needs.”
The President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, indicated that “This very theme per se reflects the synergy between science and entrepreneurship, and between research and development, as it reflects the fruits of these two combinations, which enables our today’s students build their capacity to become resilient thinkers, well prepared to face the vexing challenges of tomorrow.” He added: “It is our academic responsibility to promote scientific research that will contribute to the development of the individuals, and by default to the development of society and, consequently, this will contribute to global and sustainable development.”
Then, the Minister of Industry, His Excellency Mr. Vrej Sabounjian, took the floor and said: “Science and entrepreneurship are not far apart; in fact, science is not limited to theories and entrepreneurship is not limited to applied and practical matters. If the sciences were limited to theories, they would stay confined to laboratories and research centers. If entrepreneurship does not cope with modernism and adapts to technology, it will remain limited.” He continued: “There are attempts to empty Lebanon from its creative and outstanding youth through focusing on negative points and frustration instead of showing the good image of the country.” Finally, he addressed the students by saying: “You are the generation of the Internet and social media… you are the cornerstone of social cohesion, solidarity, unity and harmony… you are the forces of change, so write down your ideas, disseminate them and implement them; work during your free time; be productive; you are the true wealth of Lebanon.”
After the inauguration session, Fr. Mahfouz, Dr. Baz and Minister Sabounjian made the tour of the exhibition that displayed the scientific projects of the students, and then representatives of some participating industrial companies showed their latest innovations and projects.
The Scientific Day was taken to an end by distributing prize to the winners of the best scientific project award.