By: Dr. Roger Achkar, Dean of Engineering at the American University for Science and Technology (AUST), Lebanon
The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in Lebanon today. As the foundation of an intelligent society as well as an enabler of socio-economic development, investment in the ICT ecosystem is essential, particularly in terms of growing the talent required to push the adoption of technology in Lebanon to the next level. By shifting our focus towards developing homegrown ICT talent, we can not only contribute towards a digitally-driven, more sustainable future, but provide a new generation with an essential toolset that will enable them to compete in an ever-more competitive job market.
Creating a robust ICT ecosystem has many benefits. For one, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and cloud computing enhance productivity and capacity across all industries, which in turn spurs economic growth. It can improve healthcare by introducing the most advanced diagnostics and treatments. Optimization can contribute towards better agricultural output. These are just a handful of ways in which ICT can contribute towards increased sustainability and growth in Lebanon – but to achieve this, we must first build a generation of experts who have the knowledge and understanding to leverage technology in our nation’s best interests.
Investment in ICT talent development is equally advantageous for individuals and the country. The fact is that ICT-based careers are the jobs of the future, and Lebanon will require experts in technology development, deployment, and innovation in order to achieve its full potential via digital transformation.
In addition to inspiring young people to pursue an education in ICT, we must build the academic capacity to provide them with a world-class education. This requires collaboration on several levels; educators must work with government entities as well as global experts to ensure that students are provided with the most relevant tools for tomorrow’s connected world. Beyond providing a learning experience, we need to encourage creativity and an innovation mindset – it’s all well and good teaching the technologies of today, but true progress lies in the ability to go beyond what exists to create something entirely new.
We follow this strategy at AUST. Through our partnership with Huawei, our students are given the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technology from some of the world’s greatest innovators. They develop the full skillset required to be competitive in the job market. The collaboration with Huawei also provides a platform to raise innovation awareness while learning global best practices, which will both grow and elevate Lebanon’s ICT sector.
A collaborative approach to ICT education and empowerment will provide our students with the best of both worlds – experienced academic institutions combined with global expertise and an innate understanding of technology innovation. This is how we can best invest in the digitally-enabled future of Lebanon, by fostering the talent who can build upon the foundations of ICT to create a powerhouse of innovation and sustainable socio-economic progress.