On January 13, 2026, the LAU Beirut campus welcomed a delegation from the Cyprus Institute (CyI) for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize academic and research collaboration in areas of shared strategic importance.

The agreement focuses on cooperation in artificial intelligence, computational and data-driven sciences, environmental sustainability, and innovation-driven research that addresses regional and global challenges.

The MOU was signed by LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah and President of the Cyprus Institute and former Minister of Health of Cyprus Stavros Malas. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchange, graduate training, and collaboration on externally funded projects, particularly within European programs such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.

Discussions highlighted shared Mediterranean climate challenges, including wildfire detection, an area of existing work at LAU. CyI presented its in-house expertise through custom-built fire-detecting drones developed by its Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory in 2023, while LAU launched its fire detection service in 2025, establishing a strong foundation for future collaboration. The topic resurfaced throughout the day, reflecting strong mutual interest in developing joint efforts to address this challenge in both Cyprus and Lebanon.

Beyond fire detection, conversations extended to interconnected regional priorities, including climate change and environmental risks, water resources and sustainability, and energy systems, particularly renewable energy and storage solutions.

Participants also underscored the role of artificial intelligence, data-driven research, and advanced environmental monitoring technologies in addressing complex challenges, alongside faculty and student exchange, graduate training, and European research funding opportunities as key avenues for strengthening collaboration.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Abdallah highlighted the shared mission between LAU and Cyl in addressing regional and global challenges and advancing innovation in research. Reflecting on an earlier visit to CyI, he noted that the two institutions quickly recognized “strong alignment in both the challenges we face and the strengths we bring,” adding that “from climate and water to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, there are clear opportunities for meaningful collaboration.”

CyI is a leading research, innovation, and educational institution focused on energy, climate, water, computational science, cultural heritage, and policy-relevant research. Dr. Malas noted that these areas are particularly relevant to the Eastern Mediterranean region and highlighted opportunities for collaboration with LAU across research, education, and innovation. By working together, he said, institutions in the region can “better connect with Europe and contribute to solutions that address both regional and global challenges.”

Dr. Malas further emphasized the role of research collaboration in strengthening societies and building confidence through knowledge creation. Describing research as “a way to provide society with strength and confidence,” he underscored its importance in positioning institutions as active contributors to global knowledge and encouraged deeper engagement with European research ecosystems.

Dr. Abdallah concluded by reaffirming the people-centered nature of the partnership, noting that “we stand to gain a lot from this collaboration, both as a university and as a country.” The responsibility, he went on to say, now lies in enabling faculty and researchers to pursue shared priorities, adding that research is driven by the desire “to ask how we can do things better and to work together to solve problems that matter.”

The MOU lays the groundwork for sustained cooperation between LAU and Cyl, placing faculty and researchers at the heart of the partnership. Through collaboration in research, graduate education and innovation, the agreement reinforces LAU’s commitment to scholarship that strengthens resilience, promotes sustainability, and addresses challenges in the region and beyond.

Senior university leadership attended the event, including Provost George E. Nasr and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Samer Saab, alongside LAU deans, directors, department chairs and faculty members. Representatives from CyI’s research centers also took part in the discussions, underscoring the multidisciplinary scope of the partnership.