Beirut: In a step toward reforming Lebanon's public institutions, the Lebanese Ministry of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) and the American University of Beirut (AUB), through its Office of the Provost and Government Engagement Platform (GEP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 17, 2025. This memorandum aims to establish a broad framework for collaboration aimed at strengthening evidence-informed policymaking, driving innovation in public service delivery, and bridging academic expertise with institutional reform efforts.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the MoU signing ceremony was held at AUB and was attended by Dr. Fadi Makki, minister of state for administrative reform, and Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut. They signed the agreement in the presence of Dr. Zaher Dawy, AUB provost, along with university vice-presidents, deans, senior administrators, academics, and senior representatives from OMSAR.
Acknowledging the current public sector crisis, Makki noted the collaboration offers solutions to strengthen institutions and restore public confidence. He emphasized the launch of a platform to connect public institutions with AUB's academic expertise and student support, providing quick access to specialized knowledge to augment public administrations' capacities.
The collaboration leverages AUB's strengths to co-develop solutions supporting public sector transformation, design applied learning opportunities, and provide technical support on administrative reform. It also includes training programs to build public sector capabilities in areas like digital innovation and data literacy, promoting transparency and public trust.
Khuri highlighted AUB's institutional commitment to the collaboration, expressing the university's readiness to contribute from all perspectives, including students, faculty, and alumni. He emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration to rebuild the state, advocating for honest dialogue among private, academic, and public sectors.
AUB's engagement strategy includes four key initiatives aligned with public sector needs. The Digital Platform for Academic Engagement will facilitate connections between AUB experts and public institutions. The Behavioral Science and Innovation Lab will involve expertise from various faculties, including the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business and the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.
To support digital capacity-building, a taskforce will design a Digital Transformation Academy with faculties and IT units. Additionally, AUB will support the "Reinventing the State" initiative through entities like the Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory and the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration, contributing to public sector transformation and governance reform.
By joining forces, OMSAR and AUB's Office of the Provost and Government Engagement Platform (GEP) aim to empower the next generation of public leaders, strengthen institutional resilience, and co-create solutions that reflect Lebanon's aspirations for effective and equitable governance.