The Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) welcomed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence and HTech to officially launch Code for Lebanon. This national initiative invites students to work on meaningful digital projects that respond to real needs within the public sector.
The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Minister for Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Mr. Hussein El Hajj, co-founder and General Manager of HTech, and Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, Rector of the Saint Joseph University of Beirut. The event gathered the Rector-designate, Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, the Secretary-General, Prof. Nadine Riachi Haddad, vice rectors, deans, directors, a delegation from the Ministry, Mr. Jalal Harb, co-founder of HTech, and members of the USJ community. The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Ursula El Hage, Director of the Career and Placement Office and of the Center for Competencies and Entrepreneurship (EC2).
Through this partnership, the Ministry will identify real technological challenges faced by its departments and by other public entities. These challenges will be shared online through Code for Lebanon. USJ students and alumni will then be invited to propose and develop digital and AI solutions. Once selected, the projects will be supported through HTech, allowing student teams to receive guidance, training, and hands-on experience that is directly linked to improving public services in Lebanon.
In his speech, Dr. Shehadi noted that the signing of this MoU is part of a much wider effort to modernize the country. He explained that Lebanon has an opportunity to rebuild its technology sector and to move past years of economic and institutional hardship. He also shared that the Ministry is working on new legislation and on broad training programs with international partners such as Google and Microsoft. Dr. Shehadi noted that USJ has always played a role in Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem. He pointed out that Berytech, the country’s first incubator, started at the University and said that this experience places USJ at the heart of this national effort.
Prof. Daccache underscored USJ’s pride in seeing two of its graduates, founders of HTech and winners of the University’s entrepreneurship competition, now leading a national program with direct social impact. He reaffirmed the University’s mission to educate competent, responsible young people who contribute to Lebanon’s recovery and build a more just and efficient future.
Hussein El Hajj spoke on behalf of HTech, tracing the journey of the company from a student project at the USJ Center for Competencies and Entrepreneurship (EC2) to a leading contributor to some of the largest tech and AI initiatives in Lebanon and the region. He noted that Code for Lebanon aims to demonstrate that talented young Lebanese can build real solutions, modernize public services, and restore trust in national institutions. “Youth in Lebanon are not just on social media,” he said. “They are building infrastructure, creating technology, and driving innovation at scale.”
The Code for Lebanon initiative will begin immediately. It will open new opportunities for students to gain meaningful experience while contributing to practical improvements in public administration. It also reflects USJ’s commitment to building partnerships that serve the common good and encourage young people to take part in shaping a more hopeful and efficient future for the country.
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