The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, in cooperation with the IEEE Student Branch at City University, organized a special event in which they hosted Inventor Rabih Baalbaki, where they highlighted the future of education and fostering a sustainable innovation mindset.

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Dr. Hiba Al-Sheikh, introduced Rabih Baalbaki and highlighted his distinguished career in the fields of innovation and technology, and praised his multiple leadership positions, including:

• President EdTech Syndicate in Lebanon
• Head of Innovation Committee at Arab Internet and Telecom providers Union ARISPA
• Head of innovation and EdTech at Digital Transformation and eGovernance Association
• Head of Incubators and Entrepreneurship at National Association for Science & Reaserch
• Head of Innovation and EdTech and board member at Professional Computer Association PCA
• Co-founders MENA EdTech Alliance
  She also noted that he holds the title of inventor from the International Federation of Inventors Organizations (IFIO) in Geneva.

Inv. Baalbaki then gave a presentation on how to employ knowledge in the innovation process, stressing the importance of moving from creativity to innovation to leadership, and explained the link between these stages and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which he described as “mines of innovation” due to the enormous opportunities it provides, and the role of the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting this process and contributing to the advancement of progress.

Baalbaki also touched on the concept of the “skills engineering ladder” as a key tool to foster innovation, emphasizing that the development of basic and advanced skills is a key to creativity, and discussed the importance of adopting flexible educational models that integrate disciplines through the STEAM framework, emphasizing project-based learning and the development of creative ideas.
Baalbaki discussed how to reverse engineer the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how to utilize its technologies to foster innovation, noting the importance of Biomimicry in developing new technologies, such as a smart camera inspired by the human eye.

At the end of his presentation, Baalbaki concluded his speech with a motivational message, stressing that loss is in fact the paradise of innovation, and Dr. Hiba Al-Sheikh presented a trophy to Mr. Baalbaki in recognition of his efforts and contributions.