Antonine University (UA), through its spin-off Upscale Hub, collaborated with the Municipality of El Mtein and Mchikha to launch a new digital platform designed to modernize municipal services, strengthen accessibility, and support the transition toward smarter and more connected local governance.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment to combining technology, innovation, and community impact while preserving and promoting the identity, heritage, and natural beauty of El Mtein and Mchikha. Developed as a comprehensive digital ecosystem, the project includes both a website and a mobile application that offer residents and visitors easier access to municipal services and local resources.

The launch ceremony gathered political, municipal, social, and religious figures, alongside representatives from Antonine University, Upscale Hub, and the local community, highlighting the importance of collaborative partnerships in advancing digital transformation and sustainable local development in Lebanon.

The platform introduces a wide range of digital services, including online administrative requests, electronic payment solutions, complaints and suggestions management, municipality news and updates, and tourism and trail exploration.

In the next step, the platform will include smart municipality solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time monitoring technologies, as well as interactive GIS technologies that allow users to explore touristic, cultural, and environmental landmarks across El Mtein and Mchikha through a connected digital experience.

Through this collaboration, UA continues to reinforce its role as a University committed to innovation that serves society and responds to real community needs. The project reflects the University’s broader vision of investing in technology for human flourishing by promoting responsible digital transformation that improves daily life while preserving human-centered values.

The initiative also aligns with several objectives outlined in UA’s Strategic Plan 2025–28, particularly the University’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with local authorities and developing knowledge that generates tangible societal impact.

In parallel, the project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through the integration of digital innovation into local governance and public services.

Fr. Michel Saghbiny, UA Rector, also highlighted the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and local communities, reaffirming that supporting municipalities and contributing to regional development remain an integral part of UA’s mission and societal responsibility.

During the ceremony, Prof. Gaby Émile Abou Sleiman, President of the Municipality of El Mtein and Mchikha, emphasized the Municipality’s vision of becoming a “smart municipality” that adopts digital tools and modern technologies to simplify citizens’ lives and reinforce transparency and efficiency in municipal work.

A presentation by Upscale Hub showcased the platform’s key features and future development phases, with ongoing work planned to continuously expand and enhance the platform’s services and smart capabilities.

By bridging academia, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, this collaboration between Antonine University, Upscale Hub, and the Municipality of El Mtein and Mchikha stands as a forward-looking model for how universities and local authorities can work together to build more accessible, transparent, and sustainable communities.