Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a ceremony held at HBKU on March 4, 2024. Representing USEK were Professor Walid Hleihel, Deputy President for Research, and Professor Nabil Nemer, Director of the Higher Center for Research. The USEK delegation engaged with HBKU’s Provost Professor Michael Benedik, Dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences Professor Markus Wenk, Associate Dean for Research Professor Georges Nemer, Associate Dean for Education/Student Affairs Professor Puthen Veettil Jithesh, and other esteemed faculty members.

In his welcome speech, HBKU’s associate dean for research said that this agreement, the first to be signed with a Lebanese university, conveyed excitement for the collaborative prospects between their respective academic units. During the ceremony, Professor Nabil Nemer introduced USEK, highlighting its academic strengths and research initiatives. Professor Walid Hleihel then elaborated on the significance of this MoU for both institutions, emphasizing its potential benefits and outlining the collaborative opportunities it entails.

The research collaboration agreement is a comprehensive memorandum of understanding wherein both institutions have agreed upon research cooperation areas and the promotion of faculty and graduate students’ exchange. The agreement includes empowering USEK’s research centers and laboratories, exchanging publications and information, developing collaborative research projects, and elaborating joint proposals to secure international funding for research endeavors.