Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), through its Professional Training Center (CFP), in partnership with QOOT Lebanese Innovation Cluster, officially launched the Executive Innovation Academy Programme (EIA), a hybrid executive certification designed to equip leaders with the mindset, practical tools, and networks to drive sustainable innovation and measurable impact.

Funded by the European Union through the EuroMed Clusters Forward Programme, implemented by ANIMA Investment Network, led by Berytech, and co-created by QOOT Cluster and CFP-USJ, the programme demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening innovation leadership and supporting the sustainable growth of Lebanon’s agrifood ecosystem.

The inauguration ceremony gathered representatives from academia, industry, and international institutions, including Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ; Mr. Nabil Schumann, President of QOOT Cluster; Mr. Maroun Chammas, CEO of Berytech; and Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Lebanon, alongside instructors and ecosystem stakeholders.

The Academy’s flagship Executive Programme in Agrifood Innovation (EPAI) is an 80-hour hybrid learning journey combining in-person workshops and online modules. The programme provides hands-on experience, sector-specific insights, and leadership development, with a focus on innovation strategy, disruptive thinking, design thinking, scaling, execution, and governance.

During the launch, the Academy was positioned as a collaborative platform to drive sustainable transformation, equipping executives with the mindset, tools, and frameworks to turn innovation into action.

Prof. Fadi El Hage emphasized the importance of experiential learning approaches that combine theoretical frameworks with real-world application. “Executive Programme in Agrifood Innovation combines sector expertise with practical knowledge to drive forward-looking solutions. We are proud to welcome this pioneering cohort, and we thank our partners for their support in making this learning journey possible.”

The programme also marks a strategic milestone for QOOT Lebanese Innovation Cluster, reflecting its mission to strengthen competitiveness and resilience within the agrifood sector. Mr. Nabil Schumann noted, “The Executive Innovation Academy represents a defining milestone in QOOT’s journey. Since 2022, we have been committed to positioning innovation as a continuous organizational practice, one that is learned, shared, practiced, and embedded to drive sustainable impact.”

Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan, Executive Director of QOOT Lebanese Innovation Cluster, highlighted the programme’s role in translating innovation strategies into practical and scalable business solutions: “Through the Executive Innovation Academy, we enable companies to move from innovation theory to practical implementation by providing tools, methodologies that support sustainable business transformation.”

As the lead implementing partner of the Executive Innovation Academy Programme, Mr. Maroun Chammas highlighted Berytech’s longstanding commitment to advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and cluster development in Lebanon. “Driving economic development requires strong collective action. Berytech remains committed to supporting innovation through job creation, cluster development, and leading the implementation of the Executive Innovation Academy.”

Prof. Boëdec stressed the academic dimension of the Academy, underlining USJ’s commitment to fostering innovation-driven education that connects research, practice, and societal impact. “By bridging academia and professional environments, we prepare leaders to tackle evolving challenges and turn them into opportunities through interdisciplinary dialogue and an innovation mindset.”

Reinforcing the programme’s international dimension, Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne, speaking on behalf of the European Union, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting innovation, skills development, and sustainability in Lebanon. “Strengthening innovation ecosystems requires strong collaboration between clusters, academia, and industry. Through targeted grant support, we are committed to advancing innovation-driven initiatives that generate long-term strategic impact.”

The launch included an interactive panel presenting the Executive Programme in Agrifood Innovation’s eight modules: Companies Innovation Strategies, Disruption and Innovation, Financing Innovation, Design Thinking and Ideation, Business Model Innovation, Scaling Innovation, Culture of Leadership and Innovation, and Innovation Management.

Instructors shared how each module equips executives with practical tools to transform strategy into action and foster continuous innovation.

The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between USJ and QOOT Cluster, formalizing their strategic partnership. The first Executive Programme in Agrifood Innovation session immediately followed, marking the start of the Academy’s inaugural cohort and the beginning of its applied learning journey.

The Executive Innovation Academy Programme marks a significant step toward empowering leaders to turn knowledge into action and innovation into measurable impact, cultivating a new generation of leaders who will strengthen resilience and shape Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem.