Who is Tamara El-Zein, Lebanon's New Minister of Environment
Since July 2022, Tamara El-Zein has held the position of Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon, becoming the first woman to lead this institution since its establishment in 1962.
She holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Upper Alsace in 2002, and before returning to Lebanon in 2013, she worked as a full-time university professor at the same university (Maître de Conférences).
In 2014, she joined the National Council for Scientific Research, where she served as Research Director and Program Director until she assumed the position of Secretary-General.
Her research has been published in two international patents in the field of radiological pollution removal, along with dozens of scientific articles and international conferences. She has also written numerous articles in Lebanese and Arab media on various scientific topics.
She received the 'L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science' award (MENA Region, 2016). In 2017, she won the international 'Rising Talents' award for the Middle East from the same program. In 2020, she was honored by the French Republic with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Academic Palms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
MTV Lebanon
28-05-2025
- MTV Lebanon
Shehadeh meets Emirati delegation, tours Beirut Digital City
Minister of Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh received an Emirati delegation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in his office at the Ministry of Technology in Beirut Digital District. Minister Shehadi discussed with the Emirati delegation ways of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of strategy and government and human capacity-building. The Minister and the delegation also explored ways to benefit from the UAE's experience in digital transformation, enhance government innovation, and build a flexible institutional environment based on transparency and efficiency, which will contribute to building a better future for Lebanon, transforming its economy into a competitive knowledge economy, and creating an environment conducive to investment. At the end of the visit, Minister Shehadi and the visiting Emirati delegation toured Beirut Digital District, accompanied by Executive Director Mohammed Rabah, where they were briefed on the services offered by this pioneering technology city, particularly Ecole 42, which trains Lebanese youth in digital skills and prepares them for the job market. Shehadi then headed to the Grand Serail, where he participated in sessions and workshops focused on enhancing government advancement and knowledge exchange, with the aim of creating a qualitative shift in several vital sectors that directly affect citizens. At the conclusion of the workshop, Minister Shehadi thanked the United Arab Emirates and the accompanying delegation for their constructive cooperation and support to Lebanon, and expressed his hope for "strengthening this partnership and cooperation in the near future." Shehadeh also commended President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's support for the establishment of a ministry specializing in technology and artificial intelligence, stressing that "this ministry will see the light soon, whose agenda will focus on supporting Lebanese youth, strengthening the economy, and creating an environment conducive to companies investing in Lebanon."
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Antonine University launches Upscale Hub to retain talent in Lebanon
In a fragile socio-economic context marked by persistent instability and an ongoing war in Lebanon that seems far from over, emigration often appears as the only possible path for Lebanese youth. Faced with this reality, an innovative initiative born from a collaboration between Antonine University (UA) and visionary professionals offers a concrete alternative: the Upscale Hub. The founding idea of the project is powerful and inspiring. It is carried by a vision that goes beyond mere professional ambition: to allow Lebanese students to stay in the country while working on international projects, earning a living and gaining valuable experience, all without sacrificing their studies or future. Jad Nassar, co-founder of this innovation hub, associate professor at the UA faculty of engineering, and director of the Ticket research lab, indicates that the Upscale Hub is based on a collaborative ecosystem bringing together students, graduates, experts, researchers and professors. Each contributes their part, working together on large-scale projects in the most promising areas of digital technology: notably artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, web and mobile development, digital learning and game development. The Upscale Hub is aimed at schools, universities and companies that wish to train their teams. With strong local roots, Upscale Hub has an international dimension thanks to a second center located in Lille, France. Projects come both internationally and from Lebanon and are carried out by teams split between the two countries. This international synergy allows students to immerse themselves in a world-class environment while remaining rooted in Lebanon. The technology hub was launched on May 2, during an inauguration ceremony at UA, attended by the Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister, Kamal Shehadeh, the deputy and member of the parliamentary committee on information technology, Elias Hankash, and former minister Fadi Abboud. An anchor point for young talent Located on the UA campus in Baabda, the Upscale Hub offers an innovative model where students can work on concrete projects alongside their academic journey. Thanks to a flexible structure, young people can adapt their schedule according to their availability, with an operation focused on tasks and deliverables rather than fixed hours. This flexibility allows first and second-year students to intern or collaborate as freelancers, while graduates can join the team part-time or full-time. All in a stimulating, professional and educational environment. The goal goes far beyond the simple professional framework. By offering young people a real "economic and social opportunity, the Upscale Hub enables them to support themselves, help their families and fund their studies," said Nassar. In times of crisis for Lebanon, this initiative represents a breath of hope for an entire generation. Although initiated by the faculty of engineering and computer science, the Upscale Hub is not limited to technology students. Depending on the nature of the projects, students in graphic design, communication, or business can also be integrated. A notable example is digital learning projects, which require varied skills in visual and educational design. "What distinguishes the Upscale Hub is, above all, its university anchorage," underscored Nassar. "It is the university's vision to create this type of center where students have direct access to the business world," he added. Being located within the university, this technology hub benefits from the active involvement of the entire university ecosystem: IT services, accounting, academic support, students and professors. All collaborate to ensure the success of this initiative. "This rare, even unique, model in Lebanon aims to narrow the gap between the academic and professional worlds," concluded Nassar. "It prepares students to enter the job market with concrete skills, real experience and reinforced confidence in their future."
National News
29-04-2025
- National News
Bridging Minds and Markets at AUB: Innovation and research for a sustainable Lebanon
NNA - The Research, Innovation, and Creativity Hub (RICH) within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), organized its first "Bridging Minds and Markets" forum, to explore how academia can actively support Lebanon's industrial growth through innovation, research, and workforce development. Participants from AUB, from government, and from some of the country's leading industries discussed how universities could serve as reliable partners in creating homegrown solutions, transferring technology, and supporting local advancements. In his opening remarks, Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president, noted that, while distance remains between academia and industry, "This conference is our call to move beyond scattered initiatives and toward more systemic changes and a formal infrastructure for collaboration and acceleration." He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the state, industry, and universities: "The triple helix model of public, private, and academic has proven highly effective elsewhere. Lebanon must shape its own version, grounded in our context, but driven by shared ambition and a conviction that this will become a sustainable country that is fairer and more inclusive for all." Remarking on Lebanon's long history of losing its most brilliant minds, Khuri said of young people today, "While many are preparing to leave, questioning their role in Lebanon's future, if we can show them that education leads to employment, opportunity, and even and more will choose to stay." This point was picked up on by other speakers as well, who proposed close cooperation with the diaspora, which is ready to invest money and put its innovative know-how, contacts, and networks at the service of the country. The speakers agreed that during Lebanon's five-year socioeconomic crisis, industry was among the few, if not the only, sectors that avoided layoffs. Key sectors like agri-food, pharmaceutical, packaging production, and jewelry could benefit from collaboration with academia. Experts also highlighted biotech and artificial intelligence as emerging priorities. The discussion emphasized that most Lebanese industrial companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that need protection and support. Participants noted that despite the companies' size, when it comes to industry, Lebanon should cater not only to its four million inhabitants but also to the entire Middle East, comprising at least half a billion consumers. Participants pointed out that the state also has an important role to play in encouraging industry, which has not been the case since the 1990s; highlighting that taxes and production costs remain very high, particularly with regard to electricity bills, waste management, and land acquisition. Speakers noted that since there is no industry without innovation, research is crucial, and it is in this context that academia could contribute. They stressed the importance of collaboration, and that the needs of local industries should be taken into consideration to develop a university curriculum that matches these needs and to create incubators on campuses. References were made to global examples such as Silicon Valley. One of the panelists speaking to this point was Dr. Carol Abi Karam, general manager of Pharmaline, who said, "We are working in an innovation and research-driven sector, so we need to nurture and continuously improve our portfolio with innovative and advanced therapies. Here, we need the support—but the practical support—of universities in applied research projects, alongside publications. Publications are as important to the pharma industry as they are to universities," she said. In another panel discussion, Minister of Industry Joe Issa el-Khoury said, "To successfully transform research into commercially viable industrial solutions, three pillars must work together: ideas, people, and funding. Ideas emerge from local and international industries, startups, and individuals. Universities—starting from the early education system—play a critical role in preparing skilled talent to meet these industry needs. When strong academic ecosystems and innovative industries align, funding naturally follows." The event featured additional speakers such as Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Dean Fares Dahdah; FAS Associate Dean Wissam Raji; Fady Abboud, CEO of General Packaging Industries; Walid Assaf, Chairman of SMLC; Michel Daher, CEO of Daher Food; Neemat Frem, CEO of Indevco; Fady Gemayel, Honorary Chairman of Gemeyal Freres SAL; Nada Sabra, UNIDO Liaison; Ziad Shammas, Head of the Executive Board of IRALEB; and Salim Zeeni, President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists. The panels were moderated by Professors Houssam Rassi, Rabih Talhouk, and Tania Haddad. ---------------------
