Education and tech ministries launch digital partnership

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has signed a new cooperation protocol with the Ministry of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, marking a step toward overhauling the ministry’s digital infrastructure and improving student and administrative services. The agreement was signed at Beirut Digital District by Education Minister Dr. Rima Karami and Minister of State for Technology and AI Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, in the presence of advisers and technical teams from both ministries.

The protocol aims to establish an organizational framework for cooperation between the two ministries in the fields of technology and digital transformation. Its goals include developing the digital ecosystem and technology environment within the Ministry of Education, upgrading its systems, platforms, and digital services including authentication and equivalency processes and implementing procedures covering operational continuity, disaster recovery, and the protection of sensitive data and information.

Inside the projects already underway

In an exclusive interview with “The Beiruter”, Imad Jabboury, Senior Technology Advisor at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, explained that the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) is about creating a formal structure to manage several digital projects that are already in progress between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

“This MOU is a general framework to form a joint committee between the two ministries to follow up on projects and make sure they don’t stop,” he said, adding that teams from both sides had already been meeting and launching initiatives before the agreement was signed. “We already had several projects underway, and the idea was to organize this work so it can continue and expand.”

Project one: Cybersecurity regulations for the education sector

According to Mr Jabboury, the first and most urgent priority is cybersecurity, particularly because the Ministry of Education is one of the largest public institutions in the country, handling vast amounts of sensitive student and administrative data.

“Before we talk about advanced technology in curricula or digital learning tools, we need strong cybersecurity regulations,” he said. “We’re coordinating with the Ministry of Technology and AI, which is developing national regulations, to see how they can be realistically applied within the Ministry of Education.” He noted that this process had already begun and is considered the foundation for any future digital expansion, especially as more services move online.

Project two: Digital university certificates and easier authentication

The second project focuses on simplifying how university certificates are issued and authenticated, a process that currently requires students to physically move between institutions and ministries.

“We’re working on issuing certificates digitally, so students don’t have to keep going back and forth,” Mr Jabboury explained. “The idea is that the certificate would be issued online, and the student would only need to come to the ministry once, for example to get the official stamp and registration number.”

He described this as the beginning of a broader digital certification system, built using what he called “the latest security technologies,” aimed at reducing paperwork, preventing forgery, and speeding up administrative procedures for university students, especially those applying abroad.

Project three: Engaging university students and graduates in public projects

The third initiative is part of a program launched by the Ministry of Technology and AI, often referred to as “Code for Lebanon,” which connects university students and recent graduates with real-world projects inside public institutions.

“The goal is to involve students and graduates in projects that actually benefit ministries,” he said. “Universities would work with the government so students can develop solutions for public-sector needs, and we are currently identifying which projects students can contribute to within the Ministry of Education.” This initiative, he added, serves a dual purpose: strengthening public-sector systems while also giving young professionals hands-on experience in national digital projects.

Looking forward

If successfully implemented, the new platforms could transform how students interact with Lebanon’s education bureaucracy. From faster approvals to safer digital records, the reform promises efficiency, transparency, and convenience, provided the joint working team can deliver on its ambitious goals.