Beirut: The Case Hub at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) recently organized the AUB-OSB Fourth Case Conference. This two-day event was a platform for dynamic discussions, featuring an insightful keynote speech, a fireside chat, hands-on case development sessions, and collaborative workshops aimed at promoting the case method and innovative teaching approaches.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, AUB President Dr. Fadlo Khuri emphasized the importance of experiential learning, stating that the conference exemplifies how education becomes most powerful when it is rooted in real-life experiences. Dr. Khuri expressed the vision of The Case Hub as a leading resource for case writing and teaching in the region and globally.
OSB Dean Professor Yusuf Sidani highlighted the effectiveness of case-based learning in engaging discussions and leaving lasting impressions on students. He noted that cases, being grounded in real events and decisions, bring learning to life with a clear purpose.
During the opening ceremony, key remarks were made by Dr. Randa Salamoun, founding director of The Case Hub, along with AUB President Fadlo Khuri, AUB Deputy Provost Lina Choueiri, and AUB Associate Provost Fida Afiouni. Deputy Provost Choueiri praised The Case Hub's role in establishing a strong platform for case writing and faculty engagement, contributing to a global community of educators.
Associate Provost Afiouni remarked on The Case Hub's role in bridging academia and industry, emphasizing real-world impact and preparing students as the next generation of responsible leaders. Dr. Salamoun noted the conference's growth and disciplinary diversity, showcasing its expansion from business to fields like health, public policy, and engineering.
The conference featured a keynote speech by Professor Pablo Collazzo, who discussed strategic case writing and teaching. A panel discussion, "Local Voices, Global Insights: Case-Based Learning Across Cultures and Contexts," moderated by Dr. Salamoun, explored the impact of locally rooted cases in global classrooms.
On the second day, another panel, "Cases That Matter: Bridging Scholarship, Practice, and Community Voices," moderated by Dr. Victor Araman, discussed promoting case-based learning's relevance through program integration and faculty recognition.
Interactive workshops included Professor Bijan Azad's narrative thinking approach and Dr. Antoine Duvauchelle's session on transforming cases into interactive, AI-powered learning experiences. Parallel case development sessions covered diverse disciplines like AI, digitalization, and public health.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding case contributions. Supported by organizations such as AACSB International and Ivey Publishing, the conference reinforced The Case Hub's pivotal role in advancing case-based learning in the MENA region.