On June 20, 2012, the Higher Center for Research (HCR), in collaboration with the Student Affairs Office at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized a ceremony to award the HCR Trophy for Research and Innovation.

The event aimed to promote innovation and reward the best innovative works or projects submitted by groups of students having at least completed their third academic year in all Faculties.

The objective of the HCR Trophy for Research and Innovation is to give students the opportunity to create either a new product, including all the complex facets of its development, or an innovative project with the obligation of reaching a result, for instance a team united around a business plan.

Academic figures, friends, relatives and students attended this event. Following the inauguration address by Mr. Khalil Abboud, Vice-Director of the Student Affairs Office, the student groups presented their works before a jury of USEK teachers and doctors, along with professionals from the Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program and Holcim.

The dozen submitted projects included that of Georges Kirillos (Faculty of Engineering) and a project by Tracey Massoud, Tony Abou Chacra and Rony Habchi (Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences), which were respectively awarded the first and second prizes. Checks and gold/silver trophies were distributed to the prize winners and a memorial trophy was awarded to all participants.

A reception followed the final address by Rev. Fr. Jean Akiki, President of the HCR.