American University of Beirut

As part of the Innovat@FEA initiative, 40 engineering students competed in a three-day ​hackathon to turn their innovative ideas i​nto creative tech solutions for social challenges. Students representing different majors at AUB's Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) gathered to promote social innovation and entrepreneurship. The teams were supported and guided by faculty members and mentors from a variety of disciplines.

The first day of the hackathon started with opening remarks by winner of Stars of Science, innovator Sevag Babikian, and entrepreneur Hassane Slaibi who offered several tips to the participants.

Ayman Farhat, a tech lead at Wamda, gave a presentation entitled “How to Hackathon" followed by Mona Itani, lecturer in the Industrial and Engineering Management Department at AUB, who conducted a workshop on the Lean Canvas Model. Participants then attended a brainstorming session and progressed to validate their concepts.

During the second day, participants further developed their projects under the guidance of FEA staff and students serving as mentors and FEA faculty as facilitators.

Participants finalized their

prototypes and prepared their presentations by the third day. They were assisted by pitching expert Priscilla Elora Sharuk, co-founder and chief operating officer of myki, who advised them on their presentation and pitching skills.

Teams presented their final projects to a panel of judges consisting of Fadi Bizri, partner at B&Y Venture Partners; Dr. Salim Chahine, professor of finance at the AUB Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB); Abdallah Jabbour, managing director of Lebanon for Entrepreneurs; Dr. Fadia Homeidan, director of the Center for Research and Innovation at AUB; Nadim Zaazaa, director at UK Lebanon Tech Hub; Dr. Sami Karaki, chair and professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at AUB; and Ghady Rayess, co-founder at FOO.​

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