The enormous challenges the higher education and scientific research encounter, necessitate joining all available forces – Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education Professor Hassan Diab
The Network will integrally connect all research and education institutes to better provide communication facilities in Lebanon – HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh
BEIRUT --- October 25, 2011 --- Under the patronage of HE the Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education Professor Hassan Diab, the Lebanese Network for Scientific Research and Education was inaugurated during a workshop that was held in cooperation with the National Council for Scientific Research, Arab Scientific Research and Education Network (ASREN) and the EUMEDCONNECT2, the high-capacity Internet network for research and education in the Mediterranean in the presence of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of ASREN, Minister’s counselors, heads of private universities in Lebanon and other concerned people.
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said at the opening session: “The National Lebanese Network for Scientific Research and Education will integrally connect all research and education institutes to better provide communication facilities in Lebanon through integrated broadband services.”
He stressed that the Network will act as an Internet provider to universities and scientific research bodies to significantly decrease communication costs in addition to connecting with other regional research entities, creating joint research cooperation opportunities and education initiatives via the Web, enhancing access to content and information sources at the Lebanese universities through a unified subscription in all media outlets.”
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh added that the Network will sign unified licensing agreements with software importers on behalf of all universities and will provide all the connected entities with storage services, spam, viruses and information security services.
He pointed out that ASREN is building on the EU-funded EUMEDCONNECT2 research and education network which already provides connectivity in the Mediterranean region for universities and research centers since 2004 stating that significant efforts were exerted regionally to launch this initiative as a regional research and education network.
In his speech, Minister Diab addressed the ongoing efforts which the government is making to update higher education and quality education which will eventually decrease the high costs required for scientific research on all national, regional and international levels.
HE the Minister tackled the enormous challenges the higher education and scientific research encounter which necessitate joining all available forces.
Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research Dr. Moeen Hamzeh commented: “The Lebanese Network for Scientific Research and Education reflects the significant role of scientific research in boosting higher education and the educational level of the Lebanese universities.” He stressed that none of the Lebanese universities was listed among the 500 top universities globally due to weak scientific research in these universities.
Dr. Hamzeh added that the Lebanese Network is one of the added value initiatives to the research efforts at the universities, the National Council for Scientific Research and its specialized centers showing willingness to contribute and adopt this project.
At the end of the workshop sessions, participants agreed upon the Beirut Declaration which calls for supporting efforts aimed at developing the National Lebanese Network for Scientific Research and Education under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and to consider the National Council for Scientific Research a representative of the Network on behalf of the Lebanese universities and research centers, establish the electronic infrastructure to connect all Lebanese universities and then connect to Arab and European networks.
This project will eventually lead to developing research and education and will generate better opportunities to the creative youth. Consequently, the Lebanese Network will enable researchers, faculty members, employees and students throughout the country to interact with each other and to access a wide collection of research tools and information sources.
From left to right: HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, HE Professor Hassan Diab, Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education and Dr. Mouin Hamza, Secretary General of National Council for Scientific Research during the launching ceremony of the National Lebanese Network for Scientific Research and Education.
