2024–2025 Highlights 

Capacity Building & Experiential Training

• Soft Opening – AOU Business Clinic (Spring Semester)
  A student-led initiative that delivered over six hours of one-on-one startup consultations. FCS students provided guidance on business models for IT-driven products in a real-world support setting.
• Student Video Series – Entrepreneurship Awareness (January 2025)
  In a creative campaign exploring dilemmas such as “passion vs. income" and “employment vs. entrepreneurship," students engaged in dialogue that helped deconstruct myths and reflect on personal motivations in business.
• Webinar – The Art of Entrepreneurship (January 2025)
  15 participants joined a hands-on session with coach Malak Dagher, focused on entrepreneurial mindset development, creativity, and navigating uncertainty.
• Webinar – Navigating Entrepreneurship (May 2024)
  Dr. Souha Nazir Samrouth shared her personal entrepreneurial journey with AOU students, delivering insights on resilience, startup growth, and strategic decision-making to inspire the next generation of founders.
• Ideation Workshop (March 2024)
  In partnership with Farah Social Foundation and Student Affairs, the center hosted a high-impact workshop for 50 students across disciplines. The session introduced ideation techniques, early validation tools, and team-building strategies.

Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Collaborations

• Medsirat – Tunisia (May 2025)
  Ongoing partnership supporting student access to entrepreneurial resources, mentorship, and investment-readiness tools. Professors have access to Certified Business Coach training program.
• Municipality of Bourj Al-Barajneh – Women Resilience Program (February 2025)
  The center designed and led an 18-hour entrepreneurship and financial literacy course for 10 women affected by the war. Delivered at both municipal and AOU premises, the program concluded with certification and direct financial support to select participants.
• LLWB “Women on Board" Program (December 2024)
  In collaboration with the UK Embassy and LLWB, AOU underwent a gender audit, hosted multiple sessions on gender governance, and participated in the national “Women on Boards" conference. Rector Dr. Yara Abdallah reinforced the institution's role in advancing gender equity in leadership.

Community Engagement and Competitions

• Science Fair 2025 – Lebanese University, Hadath (May 2025)
   AOU recognized two student innovations with the Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz Award ($2,000), while faculty served on the judging panel of over 100 multidisciplinary projects.
• Annual Conference – Innovate to Rebuild (May 2025)
   The center contributed to planning and hosting AOU's flagship conference on policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Sessions featured national leaders in economic resilience, female empowerment, and inclusive innovation. (Report annexed)
• Doorways gGmbH (March - May 2025)
  Worked closely with Doorways gGmbH to submit a proposal to DAAD German Academic Exchange Service.
• Blackbox – Brussels (September 2024)
  Members of the center participated in Blackbox's Elevate Program, a director-focused program targeting startup support organizations. Discussions revolved around catalytic capital and building stronger impact networks, to support the wider ecosystem in MENA.
• Hult Prize Campus Director Applications (2023 – 2024)
   Students applied to lead local versions of the Hult Prize Challenge, activating global entrepreneurship initiatives on AOU's campus.
• Jury Participation – Spark & IdeaLab Competitions
   AOU faculty served as judges and mentors, reinforcing the center's role in Lebanon's national entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Outreach – Global and Regional Competitions
  The center identified and promoted competitions such as the EdTech-USA “Crossing Bridge" and the Arab Girl in Technology Award. Tailored support was provided to student applicants to boost participation and visibility.
  
  

2025 – 2026 Looking Ahead  

Why Entrepreneurship at AOU? 

In a world shaped by uncertainty, Lebanon’s youth knowledge, but also independence, creativity, and resilience. At the Arab Open University – Lebanon, entrepreneurship is more than a program: it is a mindset, a mission, and a mechanism for building a future grounded in dignity, innovation, and opportunity.