Latest news with #KamalShehadeh
MTV Lebanon
3 days ago
- Business
- 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."
LBCI
13-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Minister Kamal Shehadeh briefs President Aoun on State Technology Ministry's roadmap
Displaced and State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister, Kamal Shehadeh, met with President Joseph Aoun to present the strategic roadmap of the newly formed Ministry of State for Technology. The meeting covered the projects the ministry is currently undertaking independently, as well as those implemented in collaboration with other government bodies. President Aoun emphasized the urgency of officially establishing the ministry to enable it to carry out its responsibilities and implement its planned initiatives. He stressed that all efforts must align with the highest international standards and outlined key priorities for the ministry's upcoming work.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Business
- 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."
L'Orient-Le Jour
02-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Shehadeh calls for disarming Hezbollah 'as soon as possible'
BEIRUT — In an interview with the Russian news agency Sputnik shared on Wednesday, the Minister of Displaced Persons, Kamal Shehadeh, emphasized 'the need to disarm Hezbollah as soon as possible to obtain foreign support." The discussions over Hezbollah's arsenal take place as Hezbollah emerges weakened from the war with Israel that started in October 2023 and escalated in September 2024, and in which much of the party's leadership was assassinated, including the leader himself. Also on Wednesday, President Joseph Aoun told Sky News Arabia that 'the decision to remove weapons' not under state control 'applies to the whole of Lebanese territory' but that 'the priority concern is the south of the country' where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Shehadeh said in the Sputnik interview, relayed by the state-run National News Agency, that Lebanon was "on the path toward a resolution regarding Hezbollah's weapons." The minister emphasized the need to disarm Hezbollah as soon as possible to obtain foreign support and restore the confidence of the Lebanese in the country, adding that 'no country is willing to invest in the reconstruction of Lebanon if the danger still exists, and the possibility of entering another war may lead to the destruction of what would be built.' In response to a question about the government's priorities of demilitarization or Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Shehadeh commented: 'Both are priorities and the [cease-fire] agreement is clear: the state must extend its sovereignty over all Lebanese territories... most of the south is now under the control of the Lebanese state apparatus.' A cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel was reached in late November 2024, but it has since been violated numerous times. Although the Israeli army withdrew from Lebanese villages before Feb. 18, it is still present in five strategic points inside Lebanese territory. Shehadeh added that all components of the government agree on "an exclusive control of arms, reconstruction and reform of the economy and administration.' In this context, he revealed that 'the foreign vision of the government's plan, whether in terms of arms control or the start of economic reforms, is good." 'We have obtained confidence from the international community and there is support for the government's plan and a welcoming attitude toward the measures taken to date in terms of legislation and economic reforms,' he said. Earlier this month, the Cabinet adopted a draft law on banking restructuring. This law is considered crucial concerning the financial reforms that Lebanon must undertake after six years of an exceptionally intense economic and financial crisis. Last Thursday, the Lebanese parliament approved a long-awaited bill lifting banking secrecy, a key reform on which financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is dependent. '100,000 IDPs have not returned home' Regarding the situation of displaced persons in Lebanon, Shehadeh stressed that this file is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Displacement, revealing that 'about 200,000 housing units were destroyed by Israel during the recent war, and about 100,000 people have not returned to their homes.' He stressed that 'the government's priority is to help the displaced and rebuild these homes, and this is the responsibility of the government as a whole, not just the Ministry of Displacement.' Regarding Syrian refugees, the minister said: 'The situation in Syria has radically improved and the situation allows for the return of displaced Syrians to their country." 'The money spent in Lebanon to support the Syrians has a negative impact on the Lebanese economy ... if this money were spent to rebuild cities and villages in Syria, it would help create an economic dynamic that Syria needs," he added. Lebanon hosts more than a million Syrian migrants, who fled the civil war in their country since 2011. Following the fall of the former Syrian regime in December 2024, many Syrians refugees have returned home. However, last March, massacres on the Syrian coast, in predominantly Alawite villages, drove more than 20,000 Syrians to seek refuge in North Lebanon, primarily in Akkar villages.
National News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Ambassador Bukhari meets Minister of Displaced
NNA - Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, on Thursday received Minister of the Displaced and State Minister for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, at his Yarzeh residence. Minister Shehadeh briefed Ambassador Bukhari on the Ministry of Technology's strategy, with discussions touching on ways to enhance cooperation and coordination with relevant authorities in the Kingdom in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly countries. =============== L.Y
