LEBANON – What if academic research didn’t stay confined to universities, but instead helped shape government decisions in real time?
At a moment marked by war, reform challenges, and a growing lack of trust in government institutions, Lebanon is searching for more effective governance and practical solutions to complex public issues. In this context, the American University of Beirut (AUB) is introducing a different approach that transforms academic knowledge into direct policy action.
This shift is already visible at the highest levels.
For instance, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam recently asked AUB’s Government Engagement Platform (GEP) to map university expertise against national reform priorities.
This led to a structured framework linking academic capacity with government needs, as well as a major policy reflection report titled “One Year in Office: A Structured Reflection on Government Action (2025–2026)”, presented in 2026.
A Platform Addressing a Long-Standing Gap
Launched in early 2025 after becoming operational in May 2024, GEP was created to address a persistent gap where academic research often remains within universities while policymakers struggle to access and apply it.
In an exclusive interview with Enmaeya, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali explained that the platform reflects AUB’s broader vision under President Dr. Fadlo Khuri to strengthen the university’s role in national development, as well as the wider need in the region for stronger links between academia and government.
From Research to Action
GEP is built on a simple idea: knowledge should not remain isolated from decision-making.
The platform creates a structured science–policy interface that connects evidence and academic expertise directly with government priorities. It also aligns with global efforts such as the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA).
Rather than functioning as a traditional research center, GEP acts as a coordination platform bringing together faculties, researchers, students, and partners to work on real policy challenges.
Its work includes policy advice, technical support, capacity building, and student-led projects that contribute to public sector reform.
From Collaboration to Implementation
One of the clearest examples of GEP’s role is the Prime Minister’s request to map AUB expertise against national priorities, which resulted in a structured framework and a national policy reflection report.
The platform also worked with the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) on redesigning more than 2,000 government processes to support digital transformation, with direct involvement from faculty and students.
Other initiatives include national surveys, a UNDP-backed digital skills platform for ministries, and contributions to Lebanon’s industrial strategy and education programs.
Across sectors such as Industry, Education, and Social Affairs, GEP is helping turn policy ideas into implementation, contributing to improved public service delivery and stronger institutions in line with SDG 16, while also fostering partnerships that promote more inclusive and sustainable development.
Challenges on the Ground
According to Dr. El-Jardali, one of the main challenges is the gap between slow academic research and fast-moving policy needs. Institutional fragmentation, bureaucracy, limited trust in research, and funding constraints also continue to affect collaboration.
GEP places strong emphasis on students, who participate in internships, policy labs, and field projects that expose them directly to government work. Researchers also gain pathways to translate academic work into practical impact.
The platform is also developing certification programs in policymaking and evidence-based governance.
A Shift in the Role of Universities
Dr. El-Jardali explains that GEP reflects a broader shift in how universities operate, from knowledge producers to active contributors to governance.
However, this shift requires structure, as without a clear bridge between academia and government, research often remains unused.
GEP provides that bridge through a two-way model where universities respond to policy needs, while governments help shape academic priorities, creating a continuous feedback loop between research and decision-making.
Rethinking the Role of Universities in Policy
Unlike many initiatives in the region, GEP is fully integrated across AUB rather than being limited to a single center. It brings together expertise under one platform working directly with government institutions.
Are there other institutions in Lebanon with similar initiatives?
While universities across Lebanon and the wider region do engage in public policy through research centers, policy institutes, or development programs, these efforts are often fragmented and housed within individual faculties or standalone centers.
What distinguishes GEP at AUB is its institutional, cross-university model that brings multiple faculties and disciplines under one coordinated platform. This structure allows AUB to connect academic expertise directly with government institutions through structured partnerships, enabling more coherent and large-scale engagement.
In this way, GEP moves beyond scattered initiatives toward a unified model that channels university-wide resources into government collaboration, positioning AUB as a structured partner in evidence-informed policymaking and public sector reform.
Overall, this initiative shows a bigger shift in how universities in Lebanon are starting to see their role, moving from simply observing public challenges to actually helping solve them.
And in a country facing complex governance issues, this change is becoming more and more important.
