The Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) at Antonine University (UA), in collaboration with the ISACA Lebanon Chapter and the IEEE ComSoc Lebanon Chapter, successfully hosted the Open Day for Cyber Security (ODCS’25) at UA’s Hadat–Baabda Campus. Supported by the UA IEEE Student Branch, this event, part of the UA Plus Program, attracted a diverse audience from universities across Lebanon, reflecting the growing national interest in cybersecurity.
Held under the patronage of UA’s Rector, Fr. Michel Saghbiny, the event opened with an inaugural session presented by Dr. Kabalan Chaccour, Head of the Department of Computer and Communications Engineering. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Chady Abou Jaoude, Dean of the FET; Dr. Ahmad El Hajj, representing Prof. Jacques Demerjian, Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Lebanon Chapter; and Prof. Nazih Moubayed, Chair of the IEEE Lebanon Section.
In his address, Dr. Abou Jaoude discussed the increasing cybersecurity challenges facing governments and institutions in a time of rapid technological acceleration. He stressed the collective responsibility to protect sensitive information and called for deeper collaboration between academia, public entities, and the private sector.
Fr. Saghbiny, in his speech, emphasized the urgent need for equitable laws and regulations that adapt to the quick pace of digital developments. He advocated for a comprehensive strategy to enhance digital awareness, especially among youth and children, and cautioned against the growing risks of cyberattacks that threaten critical institutions and digital freedoms. He highlighted the importance of upholding human dignity and freedom amid technological advancement.
Representing IEEE Lebanon Section, Prof. Nazih Moubayed highlighted the longstanding and successful collaboration between the IEEE ComSoc Lebanon Chapter and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Antonine University, emphasizing the impact of their joint efforts through a series of well-executed events over the years. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ahmad El Hajj, Treasurer of the IEEE ComSoc Lebanon Chapter, noted that the presence of government officials, industry leaders, and academics at ODCS’25 reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity as a multidisciplinary challenge — one that demands coordinated efforts across sectors.
A panel session titled “The Future of Cybersecurity in Public Administration and Government” was moderated by Dr. Andre Gholam, President of ISACA Lebanon Chapter. Panelists included H.E. Dr. Fadi Makki, Minister of State for Administrative Reform, who announced the upcoming implementation of digital IDs for elections, a significant step in Lebanon’s transition towards digital governance. He reiterated the government’s commitment to administrative development and national cyber readiness. The panel also featured Dr. Lina Oueidat, National ICT and Cybersecurity Coordinator at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and General Jamal Kashmar, Head of the Telecommunications Department at Lebanese General Security.
Before the first technical session, Mr. Abdo Chalhoub, Academic Relations and Outreach representative at the ISACA Lebanon Chapter, gave a brief presentation on academic initiatives. He announced the launch of the first ISACA Student Group in Lebanon, marking a key step in student engagement in the cybersecurity field.
The first technical session, “Cybersecurity Deep Dive: Protecting the Digital World,” included case studies and threat analyses from Mr. Nassib Chamoun (ABSEGA), Mr. Ralph Abou Jaoude (POTECH), and Mr. Anthony Saba (Suyool), moderated by Mr. Elias Raffoul (Arcshields). They explored real-world breaches, emerging attack methods, and strategies to stay ahead of digital crime.
In the afternoon, the session titled “AI in Action: Transforming Industries and Cybersecurity” focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital protection. Presentations were delivered by Mr. Malek Bachir (kloudr) on cloud security, Mr. Abed Al Rahman Naboulsi (Capital Outsourcing) on IoT ethics and vulnerabilities, and Mr. Jimmy Yammine (Arcshields) on AI-driven cybersecurity and the risks of model manipulation. The session was moderated by Captain Malak Charaf from the Lebanese General Security.
A key feature of ODCS’25 was the Poster Presentation of student capstone projects, where students from UA showcased their innovative research. The day concluded with an Awards Ceremony, recognizing top projects and the winner of the Cybersecurity Students’ Challenge.
Through ODCS’25, Antonine University reaffirmed its commitment to advancing national cybersecurity dialogue and fostering practical collaboration among students, professionals, and policymakers. The event stood as a powerful reminder that the future of digital security depends on education, legislation, and collective vigilance.