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Abstract

On the basis of a study carried out in 2007, this article seeks to characterise Science and Technology (S&T) activities in Lebanon. After a brief historical background, it reviews the S&T policy framework, the national research institutes, the higher education system and the central role of a few historical universities in research. The output of Lebanon’s publications’ is also being analysed and discussed, showing among other things, that the bulk of Lebanese research activities is concentrated in the same three historical universities [the Université Libanaise or Lebanese University (UL), the Université St-Joseph or St-Joseph University (USJ) and the American University of Beirut (AUB)]. Despite the existence of a National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) since 1962, national research institutes, a plan of action approved in 2002 to implement the Lebanese Science, Technology & Innovation Policy (STIP), and five integrated action programmes managed by CNRS, it is argued that S&T activities in Lebanon remain primarily a university-driven business.

Keywords

Lebanon Science Technology & Innovation (STI) policy Higher education institutions and research institutes Input & output indicators including publications International scientific migration

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Science and Technology in Lebanon

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