Authored by Layla Yammine.

On 27–28 November 2025, Lebanon Innovate convened leaders from industry, academia, government and business-support organizations at Saifi Suites for an intensive Training-of-Trainers (ToT) designed to move the Knowledge & Innovation Communities (KICs) from concept into operational initiatives. Workshops for the Agrifood, Healthcare and ICT KICs focused on drafting the 2026 roadmaps, embedding sustainability arrangements, and training facilitators to lead sector activities and pilot projects.

The KIC model brings together universities and research centers, private firms, government partners and business-support organizations so that academic research and sector needs are actively matched and translated into practical solutions. Lebanon Innovate’s KICs aim to strengthen collaboration, improve commercialization pathways, and increase the socioeconomic impact of research across the three priority sectors.

Led by Dr. Mohab Anis (CEO of Innovety), the ToT had three practical objectives: (1) equip a cohort of facilitators with facilitation and stakeholder-engagement tools; (2) review recent KIC activities to identify gaps and quick wins; and (3) co-design the 2026 roadmaps with explicit sustainability and ownership mechanisms. Sessions emphasized templates, timelines and named responsibilities to ensure decisions convert quickly into pilots and partnerships.

Key outcomes from the two days:

• Agreed 2026 roadmaps for Agrifood, Healthcare and ICT KICs, structured around four thematic pillars: ecosystem building & funding, advocacy; and capacity building, with priority initiatives and short-term indicators.
• Operational model for sustainability: monthly KIC coordination meetings plus dedicated champions for project implementation, monitoring and fundraising.
• Identification of immediate pilots and “quick wins”, including targeted trainings, matchmaking activities between researchers and firms, and advocacy actions, prioritized to demonstrate impact quickly. Training courses highlighted include traceability systems, AI readiness for industry, and food safety practices.
• Participants included private sector representatives, researchers and university focal points, government representatives, associations, and business-support organizations.

Voices from the KICs:

To better understand the vision and priorities of each sector, Lebanon Innovate asked participants to share their perspectives on partnerships, impact, and innovation. Here’s what some of the KIC members had to say:

What kind of partnerships do you believe are essential for your KIC to reach its next milestones now?
I believe Lebanon is in great need for strong and lasting partnerships bridging the gap between industry and academia, connecting Lebanese academia with industry in Lebanon as well as industry led by Lebanese expats and friends of Lebanon overseas. Our best and brightest students have much to offer, especially in the fields of digitalization and technology, and I feel our ICT KIK can play a major role in this regard.

Joe Tekli, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Engineering and Assistant Provost at the Lebanese American University (LAU), Director of the InMind Academy.

Looking ahead, what change do you want your KIC to make in its sector or community over the next year?
The healthcare sector in Lebanon is re-inventing itself and growing back during this post-crisis era. This is the time to inject as much effort and creativity as we can, from all the surrounding sectors, to support and help the future generations in shaping the healthcare system towards innovation, sustainability and uniqueness all over the region. To let Lebanon become the hub for innovation in this sector. Our power is in our people.

Dr. Nizar Kassis-Pharm-D., R&D Manager-Benta Pharmaceutical Industries and Lecturer-USJ-Faculté des Sciences.

Why is innovation critical to what your KIC wants to achieve?
I hope that through this KIC in agrifood we can turn challenges into opportunities in a changing world, showcase real data and stories for impactful advocacy and train change makers into leaders.

Pauline Y. Aad. Professor, TTO director. Notre Dame University.

Next steps for the KICs:
The KICs will finalize the 2026 roadmaps and start to work in groups to ensure effective follow-through. Monthly coordination meetings will be held, and action plans will be circulated to all members.

Interested organizations, universities, startups, and innovators are invited to submit their expression of interest via the Lebanon Innovate Portal to collaborate, participate in trainings, or contribute to initiatives.