Beirut, June 20, 2025 — The 2025 edition of the Béchara and Carmen Obegi Award for Creativity and Innovation celebrated entrepreneurial excellence across disciplines at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) on Friday, June 20, at the François Bassil Auditorium on the University’s Innovation and Sports Campus.
Organized by USJ’s Center for Competencies and Entrepreneurship (EC²), hosted by the Faculty of Economics, and in collaboration with the Faculty’s Alumni Association, the event was proudly sponsored by Banque BEMO.
Nine student teams representing faculties ranging from Dental Medicine and Sciences to Business Management, Education, Physiotherapy, and Social Work showcased innovative solutions addressing pressing societal and market challenges. Weeks of mentorship and preparation culminated in presentations that reflected both creativity and strategic thinking.
Opening the ceremony, Dr. Ursula El Hage, Director of EC², set the tone: “I strongly encourage all our students to participate in future editions. Initiatives like this provide a platform to sharpen entrepreneurial skills, test bold ideas, and contribute to a culture of innovation that defines USJ.”
Prof. Jean-François Verne, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, highlighted the dynamic link between academic rigor and practical innovation: “Theories of the entrepreneur, now explored across disciplines beyond economics, describe and analyze the real-world actions of entrepreneurs navigating today’s markets.”
Mrs. Cynthia-Maria Ghobril Andrea, Director of Fondation USJ, expressed profound gratitude to the Obegi family, underscoring the award’s resonance with the University’s mission over its 150-year history: “As part of USJ’s 150th anniversary, this award embodies everything our university has always championed: excellence, innovation, and the capacity to build a better future despite daily challenges.”
In his address, Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, Rector of USJ, congratulated the students and positioned their work as a living reflection of the University’s commitment to responsible, societal innovation: “Creativity is not a luxury, it is essential in a rapidly changing world. It allows us to rethink the present, overcome obstacles, and reinvent tools, ideas, and practices. But without innovation, creativity remains only a vision. To innovate is to act on intuition, to experiment boldly, to risk failure, and to persevere until success is achieved.”
The closing address was delivered by Dr. Riad Obegi, President of Banque BEMO, who framed innovation as a universal and accessible force: “Invention and creativity are at the heart of life itself, inseparable from our humanity. Innovation is not reserved for a select few who win competitions—it is open to everyone. Its ingredients are necessity, chance, dedication, and hope. One must keep one’s eyes on opportunity and be ready to roll up one’s sleeves to shape the future,” he said, praising the dedication and vision of the young award winners.
Following the pitches and jury deliberation, three student-led startups were awarded for their creativity, impact, and business potential:
First Prize – Vital
A wellness juice brand focused on natural detox drinks with social impact
By Pamela Bou Fayssal – USJ Business School-Zahle and Beqaa Branch (FGMZ)
Second Prize – Dairy Dany
A sustainable, innovative dairy alternative catering to health-conscious consumers
By Rindala Zayour – Faculty of Science
Third Prize – Prescripto
A smart digital platform simplifying prescription management for patients and pharmacies
By Christelle Abboud – Faculty of Dental Medicine
The event concluded with a networking cocktail, celebrating not only the students’ achievements but also the guidance of mentors, jury members, and stakeholders who made their success possible.
With each edition, the Béchara et Carmen Obegi Award for Creativity and Innovation reinforces its mission: to empower students to turn ideas into action and transform passion into lasting impact.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact the USJ Entrepreneurship and Competencies Center – EC² by email ec2@usj.edu.lb.
Read also: Dans sa cinquième édition : Le Prix Béchara et Carmen Obégi pour la créativité et l’innovation célèbre l'innovation étudiante à l'USJ