Faculty of Engineering and ArchitectureAmerican University of Beirut

Nov 16, 2007

Industrial Technology Initiative

OUTLINE

AUB’s missionOn the needs of Local IndustryRole of Faculty research and serviceITI

Mission and ObjectivesActivitiesPartnership

Today’s outcomes!

Mission of AUBThe American University of Beirut (AUB) is an institution of

higher learning founded to provide excellence in education, to participate in the advancement of knowledge through research, and to serve the peoples of the Middle East and beyond. Chartered in New York State in 1863, the university bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. The university believes deeply in and encourages freedom of thought and expression and seeks to foster tolerance and respect for diversity and dialogue. Graduates will be individuals committed to creative and critical thinking, life-long learning, personal integrity and civic responsibility, and leadership.

Education Systems and Economic Development

1. Educated workforce stimulating higher rate of innovation

2. Innovation yields ability to sell increasingly complex services and products

3. Services mostly arise in conjunction with the dissemination of new products

4. Products are created, services are provided, productivity is enhanced, wealth is generated

Local return on Huge investment in Education is Questionable

Local IndustryEconomy at large

Unemployment, Trade deficit, Brain drain Changes with agreements: standards, open

markets Over 90% is Small to Medium Enterprises

Local SMEs Must remain:Core of economic growthSource and home of entrepreneurshipCreators of new jobsMeans for income especially for poor people

Must focus on core business Needs improved competitiveness for

“globalization”:Enabling environment (public policies) Harness technology (R&D / HR for Process and

Product)

Faculty Research and Service

FACULTY TASKS: Teaching, Research, and Service

Aim: Connected to community (service)Justified Better return on the education investment

What is Good for the Communityis Good for AUB

Based on INDEVCO Founder Company’s Slogan 1965:

“What is Good for the Community is Good for the Company”

Technology in SMEs “Technology” as defined by Encarta Dictionary:

Application of tools and methods; the study, development, and application of devices, machines, and techniques for manufacturing and productive processes, or

Method of applying technical knowledge; or Sum of a society’s or culture’s knowledge;

Enterprise promised benefits based on technology: Increased savings in total costs of operations, productivity Consistently and efficiently produce goods based on

desired specifications (QUALITY)New products and servicesReach wider markets in faster time

Technology in improving SME’s productivity is applying and generating Knowledge

STRENGHTS AUB strong reputation High potential in Faculty

members Committed and skilled

Students Equipped Facilities OPPORTUNITIES AUB accreditation and

mission to serve the community

New Ph.D. programs and associated research activities

Need for industrial modernization and innovation, and export

SME Nature of local industry Large MNC outsourcing

value added tasks

WEAKNESSES Gap between University

research activities and Industrial needs

Weak management and entrepreneurial skills of scientists

CHALLENGES Small size of local market Misaligned activities and

incentives of stakeholders Political Instability

ITI MissionThe Industrial Technology Initiative (ITI) at

AUB aims to establish a framework to support local and regional industry through

applied research, consulting services, and training programs. ITI shall harness technologies and deploy

knowledge for enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

Fouad Mrad Ayman Kayssi Hassan Artail Ali Hajj

Mazen Saghir Imad Elhajj Daniel Asmar

Khaled Joujou Ghassan Deeb

ITI Activities: Applied Research Innovation in product and process is the

key to competitivenessInnovative solutions are based on research

Technology mapping in various sectors Relevant university innovation activities

survey Demand based

ITI activities: TrainingIn collaboration with technology suppliers when

suitable for Dual Certificates - SAMPLE:Industrial Controllers Industrial Process Instrumentation Product Reverse EngineeringProduct Design and Prototyping Web Technologies for Business IT for Productivity Improvements

The following is a SAMPLE list of workshops can be organized in coordination with BDCs: 

Technology commercialization issuesQuality Assurance Technologies

ITI activities: ConsultingTechnical consulting to innovators of new

productsPrototyping and proof of conceptIndustrial Sectors diagnostic analysis and

priorities with respective syndicatesDemand driven!

ExamplesVHDL and Digital design using FPGA for

Electronic Board DesignersRetrofitting Injection Molding MachinesTechnology Literacy for Transparency and

AccountabilityHarnessing Technology for SME competitiveness WAN for banksInformation securityApple sorting using computer vision

ITI PartnershipPresent: National Council of Scientific Research NCSR Association of Lebanese Industrialists (LIRA) Arab Research Institute in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Technology Suppliers:

National InstrumentsOmron

Soon: Industrial Research Institute (IRI) European Lebanese Center for Industrial Modernization Other technology suppliers Other units in AUB and other institutes

ConclusionTechnology is not a magic wand that can

solve all the problems facing local industryCompetitors are using Technology, can we

afford not to?

Today's Objectives:Gather stakeholders for aligning activities Solicit ideas, projects, partnershipsOpen AUB gates for local industrial needsOthers

Industrial Technology Initiativehttp://

www.aub.edu.lb/fea/webiti