01
تشرين الأول
2025
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, between Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), represented by its Rector, Professor Salim Daccache, and the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR), represented by H.E. Dr. Fadi Makki. This agreement inaugurates a collaboration between the Faculty of Economics (FSE), through its research center (CEDREC), and OMSAR, with the aim of jointly working on assessing the digital readiness of civil servants and citizens for social impact and public interest.
As part of this agreement, CEDREC and OMSAR will work together to conduct surveys assessing the extent to which the public sector is prepared for, and willing to
embrace, digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the civil service. This initiative is part of a broader research project carried out at CEDREC, entitled
Government AI Readiness and Acceptance (Gov-AIRA), led by Professor Loubna Alsaghir Oueidat.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of OMSAR’s institutional partners, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Jean-François Verne, as well as faculty members
collaborating on the project. On this occasion, the Rector of USJ, Professor Salim Daccache, and the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, H.E. Dr. Fadi Makki, emphasized the strategic value of fostering collaboration between academia and public institutions,
highlighting the essential role of scientific research in supporting evidence-based policymaking.
In his address, Professor Daccache reaffirmed that the University’s mission is not limited to providing high-quality education, but also extends to placing the knowledge
and expertise of its community at the service of society. He further stressed the importance of academics working hand in hand with public institutions to translate theoretical insights into practice, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive development.
For his part, H.E. Dr. Fadi Makki stressed that the MoU comes at a pivotal moment as Lebanon launches the Reinventing Government 2030 project, the first comprehensive reform in 65 years. He highlighted that measuring digital readiness will set the baseline for reform, ensuring targeted and impactful change. He noted that the survey will operationalize the National Digital Transformation Strategy adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2022, turning vision into action. Dr. Makki emphasized that this agreement with USJ and CEDREC bridges policy, data, and practice by grounding reforms in academic expertise and engaging universities as partners, helping make reforms inclusive, sustainable, and citizen-centered.
In conclusion, the signing of this MoU reflects the shared commitment of USJ and OMSAR to strengthening dialogue between academic research and public action. This
partnership paves the way for a structured collaboration, capable of informing decision-making and supporting Lebanon’s efforts toward modernization and digital transformation.