The scientific core includes three groups - the Scientific Council (SC), the Scientific Committee (SCo) and the Ad Hoc Committee.

1- The Scientific Council

The Scientific Council is the essential tool for coherence in a university with extremely diversified specializations. It is also the group that discusses any political research and its organization.

Presided over by the Vice-President for Research, the function of the Scientific Council is to intervene in general scientific policy related to the priorities of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK).

The Scientific Council is composed of the Vice President of the HCR, coordinators, designated high level members from USEK or from outside USEK (prominent figures from scientific, literary and economic fields).

The SC may, occasionally, hold a contest for experts from outside USEK and its president may invite any person whom he/she deems fit to the tasks.

The SC gathers at least once per year.

Decisions within the Council are taken unanimously.

The mandate of the Council is 3 years

The Scientific Council:

• This is an advisory body for reflection and proposals. It gives its opinion on the greater directions of the HCR policies, on research contracts and on the allocation of financial means between faculties and institutes;
• Gives its opinion on all issues submitted by the Vice President for Research;
• Can submit its wishes on all issues related to the scientific policy of the University;
• May submit proposals, especially according to the evolution of issues of research in each faculty and institute;
• Adopts decisions on the issues related to its prerogatives and submits proposals and notices on research questions;
• Within the limits of the regulatory provisions in force, it ensures that scientific ethics are respected in the framework of the research policy of the University.

2- The Scientific Committee (SCo)

Presided over by the Vice President for Research, the Scientific Committee is composed of the Vice President of the HCR and the coordinators. It contributes to structuring research and coordinating the related activities.

The Scientific Committee:

 

• Ensures coordination between the University and partner research bodies;
• Prepares the works of the Scientific Council;
• Suggests the members of the Ad Hoc Committee;
• Selects projects according to the University priorities and the axes or research in each faculty and institute;
• Intervenes in the in the assessment of the scientific and administrative quality of projects; it shortlists them and undertakes halfway assessment;
• Issues a decision on the scientific impact of projects. It may attach adjustment proposals to its assessment if needed for practical recommendations projects;
• Handles the final decision to hold selected projects by the Ad Hoc Committees and sets the budget;
• Controls the proper operation of research and the utilization of allocated material and financial means;
• Discusses every request to extend the duration of a research project and the extension of funding;
• Suggests to the Vice President for Research the follow up or the interruption of research;
• Can decide to stop a research project if the mid-term report does not comply to the required conditions;
• Is in charge of the follow up on the current research, in order to control its progress at the end of each semester, according to the detailed reports submitted by researchers.

Decisions within the Committee are taken unanimously. They are communicated to the people concerned through written notifications within two months following the submission date. However, an ethical obligation is imposed to protect the anonymity of experts and scientists as well as the information contained in the judgment within the records. Nevertheless, the researcher can contact the Scientific Committee which provides an explanation about the decision related to his/her file.

The executive secretary of the HCR is in charge of drafting the report, which is related to the decisions of the Scientific Committee.

3- The Ad Hoc Committee

• Ad Hoc committees are composed of experts with nationally and internationally recognized expertise;
• Ad Hoc committees are nominated by the President of the HCR, based on proposals of the Scientific Committee;
• Ad Hoc committees are in charge of the following:
  • Selecting projects submitted to the HCR and shortlisted by the Scientific Committee;
  • Assessing submitted works for possible publication
  • Giving their scientific guarantee to projects.