The Lebanese American University (LAU) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in multiple areas of mutual interest, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The memorandum aims to establish a partnership to promote a culture of integrity and knowledge related to the prevention and fight against corruption, through enhancing academic collaboration, training and developing specialized human capacities, improving curricula, programs, and educational materials, encouraging relevant research, supporting extracurricular activities and competitions, and facilitating the creation and activation of student integrity clubs and networks.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Commission’s President, Judge Claude Karam, and his team, as well as LAU President Dr. Shouqi T. Abdullah and a university delegation. The ceremony featured an exchange of speeches in the form of a dialogue. Judge Karam began by congratulating President Abdullah on his new position and praising his expertise and knowledge. He then explained the role of the National Anti-Corruption Commission in combating corruption, coordinating with judicial authorities and disciplinary councils, and its powers limited to the public sector, drawing parallels with similar bodies worldwide, particularly in France. President Karam thanked LAU for opening avenues of cooperation as a leading higher education institution in Lebanon and the Middle East, expressing hope that the memorandum would translate into practical initiatives that build capacities and reinforce the concept of combating and eradicating corruption in Lebanon.
In his remarks, President Abdullah emphasized the seriousness of corruption and the importance of the Commission in addressing this issue. He pledged the university’s expertise and resources to support the Commission in advancing Lebanon from its current challenging situation, highlighting the role of LAU in providing experts and volunteers to assist in anti-corruption efforts and support reform initiatives both morally and practically.
The two parties will collaborate in implementing the memorandum in coordination with regional and international organizations as needed, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the exchange of expertise and information, provision of specialized experts and technicians, organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, and training sessions, as well as any other mutually agreed-upon means.
