TLG 4th Joint Conference: Bridging Horizons - Shaping the Future of the MENA Region through Interdisciplinary Research

TLG 4^th Joint Conference

Bridging Horizons - Shaping the Future of the MENA Region through Interdisciplinary Research

An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the MENA Region’s Future

(AUB, AUC, LAU)

Format: In-person, Keynote Addresses, Panel Discussions, Paper Presentations, and Networking Opportunities.

Date/Time/Location:

• June 3, 2024 – LAU Beirut Campus – Adnan Kassar School of Business – Rooms 903 & 904
  • Starts at 9:00 am Beirut Time
  • Ends at 4:30 pm Beirut Time
     
• June 4, 2024 – LAU Byblos Campus – Frem Civic Center – Rooms FREM 203 & 204
  • Starts at 10:00 am Beirut Time
  • Ends at 4:30 pm Beirut Time

Audience: The conference involves researchers, students, scholars, advisors, and others interested in the MENA region and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with a range of challenges and opportunities that demand inventive solutions, interdisciplinary research, transcending traditional academic confines, to address the intricate issues confronting the region. This conference seeks to investigate and commend the influence of interdisciplinary research on molding the future trajectory of the MENA region.

Indeed, the U.S. - Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate (MEPI-TLG) Program at LAU is joining efforts with AUB and AUC to organize this conference and invites TLG scholars at the three universities to present their research work to the public.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with a range of challenges and opportunities that demand inventive solutions. Interdisciplinary research, transcending traditional academic confines, holds the promise of providing novel viewpoints and transformative ideas to address the intricate issues confronting the MENA region. This conference seeks to investigate and commend the influence of interdisciplinary research on molding the future trajectory of the MENA region.

Indeed, the U.S. - Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate (MEPI-TLG) Program at LAU is joining efforts with AUB and AUC to organize this conference and invite Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate scholars at the three universities to present their research work to the public.

Conference Objectives

1. Explore Interconnected Challenges
2. Showcase Interdisciplinary Solutions
3. Promote Collaboration
4. Empower the Next Generation
5. Address Global and Local Perspectives

Conference Outcomes

The conference aims to generate actionable insights, encourage collaboration, and inspire a new wave of interdisciplinary research initiatives contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for the MENA region. By amalgamating diverse perspectives and expertise, we envision this conference as a catalyst for positive change, unlocking the full potential of interdisciplinary research in shaping the destiny of the MENA region.

Conference Themes

1. Economic Resilience and Innovation
2. Diversity, Inclusion, and Breaking Gender Barriers
3. Peace and Security
4. Cultural Dynamics and Identity
5. Health and Well-being
6. Technology

About the Organizing Committees

MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program (TLG)

Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program (TLG) is fully funded by the United States Department of State - Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate (TLG) Program was first implemented by LAU in 2018, making it the first university in the MENA region to offer this program.

The TLG Program spans over a period of two years and aims to provide graduate students with the necessary professional experience to enhance their academic knowledge and engage in research that promotes the professional development of emerging leaders. It also focuses on increasing scholars’ understanding of gender issues within their specific fields of study.

MEPI TLG is offered by the three pillar universities of the MENA Region, LAU and AUB in Lebanon, and AUC in Egypt.

The TLG team at the three universities worked in tandem to design and offer the TLG Joint Conference, a yearly celebration of the research activities and to expand their learning abilities and skills to add knowledge to their specified major, spiced with a gender lens, activism and career-building.

LAU Academic Committee

Dr. Hussein Hassan

Associate Professor of Food Science & Technology, Natural Sciences Department
Director of Academic Compliance, Provost’s Office
Academic Director, MEPI TLG
Lebanese American University

Dr. Hussein Hassan is the director of academic compliance at the provost’s office, and associate professor of Food Science and Technology at the Lebanese American University (LAU). He received his BSc and MSc in Food Technology from AUB and his PhD in Food Process Engineering from McGill University, Canada. At LAU, Dr. Hassan’s research interests revolve around the area of food safety, food toxicology, food processing, and food waste. In addition, Dr. Hassan is a senior food safety and processing expert and consultant with local and international entities. His research has been published so far in more than 65 indexed journals.

Dr. Rabih Talhouk

Professor, Cell Biology
MEPI-TLG Director
ELC Director
American University of Beirut

Rabih Talhouk, Professor of Cell Biology, Director of MEPI-TLG and ELC Scholarship Programs, and Founding Chairperson (2011-2017) of the university Graduate Council at the American University of Beirut (AUB), obtained his PhD in 1988 at Ohio State University. He then held a joint post-doctoral position at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California San Francisco before joining the Biology Department at AUB in October 1992. He has been there since. Currently he is a professor of Cell Biology in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB).
Dr. Talhouk has mentored more than 80 graduate students, won a teaching excellence award and has been involved in campus wide strategic planning, and university accreditation. Talhouk has also served AUB as Chairperson of the Biology Department and has held leadership positions on several university committees. He is also a founding member of AUB’s interdisciplinary Nature Conservation Center (NCC), and founding board member of the Society for Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World (SASTA), a USA-based NGO. He has held several consultancies on adoption of biotechnology in the MENA region, food security, GMO and biosafety. He also serves on the executive board of the International Breast Cancer and Nutrition (IBCN) project.

Dr. Ahmed Tolba

Academic Director, Tomorrow’s Leaders Gender Scholars and Tomorrow’s Leaders Programs
Professor of Marketing and Chair of Management Department
American University in Cairo

Ahmed Tolba is a professor of marketing and chair of the Department of Management at The American University in Cairo (AUC). He also served as associate provost for strategic enrollment management (2015-20). He was awarded his PhD from George Washington University (GWU) in 2006; his MBA and BSc from The American University in Cairo (AUC) in 1997 and 2001, respectively. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, marketing education, social marketing, brand equity, nation branding, innovation marketing and online marketing. He published his research in leading academic journals and conferences. He is also a co-author of Egypt’s Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report. In addition, he co-authored the leading textbook Principles of Marketing: Arab World Edition with marketing gurus Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong. His teaching experience includes over ten courses in marketing and business strategy.

Student Committee (LAU, AUB, AUC)

The Student Committee stands as a tribute to the outstanding contributors of the conference, our TLG students. Comprising representatives from all three universities, this committee takes charge of organizing activities and generating innovative ideas throughout the logistical planning phase of the TLG Joint Conference. With a diverse membership representing all participating students, this committee embodies the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence that defines our conference community.

Student Abstract Review and Selection

TLG students from AUB, AUC, and LAU were invited to submit their paper submission abstracts reflecting on topics that cover themes related to the conference.

The abstract selection criteria for the TLG Conference were rigorously evaluated. Each abstract’s title should effectively encapsulate its content, providing a clear glimpse into the research. The aim section is expected to precisely outline the purpose of the work, setting the stage for understanding its significance. Additionally, the procedure/method section should offer detailed insights into how the research was conducted, including pertinent information such as subject characteristics or healthcare settings. Findings/results are summarized in a concise manner, with conclusions logically tying back to the study’s objectives. Moreover, the implications/applications of the research should be explicitly stated, emphasizing their relevance to the diverse audience of the conference.

Twelve panels were created allowing students to showcase their distinctive work and research on different aspects relating to Economic resilience and innovation, Diversity, Inclusion and Breaking Gender Barriers, Peace and Security, Environmental Sustainability, Cultural Dynamics and Identity, and last but not least, Health and Well-being.

Scientific committees from AUC, LAU, and AUB have reviewed and scored the abstracts using a rubric, to ensure quality and relevance. Each abstract was assessed based on its title’s accuracy, clarity of aim, thoroughness of methodology, succinctness of findings, and implications for the audience. The scoring system ranges from 0 to 5 for each criterion, totaling to a maximum of 30, with a separate score out of 10 for findings/results. This meticulous process ensured that only high-quality abstracts, meeting defined standards, advanced to further stages of consideration.

Following the rigorous abstract selection process, we are delighted to announce a total of 51 abstracts slated for presentation at the conference. These contributions reflect the dedication and scholarly pursuits of 59 TLG Students hailing from LAU, AUC, and AUB. Their diverse perspectives and academic endeavors promise to enrich the conference program, within the major spectrum of themes.

The TLG team at LAU is grateful for the valuable contribution of professors from LAU, AUB, and AUC, to this conference, who weighed in on the abstract evaluation process described above.

Honorary Guest Speaker

Master of Ceremony

Panel Discussants and Moderators

NGO Fair

The NGO Fair, an integral part of the conference, will be showcasing diverse organizations dedicated to themes of community engagement and sustainable development. The NGO fair offers students a unique platform to network, explore volunteering opportunities, and find prospective employment aligned with their passions post-graduation. Conference participants can connect, engage, and pave the way for an impactful change in the world.

List of NGOs participating:

• Seeds
• Girl Up
• Movement Social
• Amel
• RDFL
• Abaad
• Female
• Skoon
• Tripoli Entrepreneurs Club
• Ajialouna
• Safadi Foundation
• Injaz
• Rotaract

TLG Joint Conference Program 

Abstracts e-Book (download)

You can download the Abstract e-Book at: Abstracts e-Book