The Center for Career Development (CCD) team at Antonine University (UA) recently participated in 2 impactful study tours as part of United States (US) capacity building missions. Organized by the Educational Development Center (EDC) and the Learning System Institute at Florida State University (FSU), these missions aimed to enhance data-driven strategies and foster partnerships between educational institutions and employers in Lebanon.

From December 2 to 9, 2023, Ms. Elyse Saade, Coordinator at the CCD, joined representatives from 9 Lebanese Higher Education Institutions (HEI) for the Alumni Tracking Study Tour. The participants, including EDC and USAID delegates, visited FSU and engaged in workshops focused on alumni tracking, data gathering, updating, and security. The tour emphasized 4 key areas: foundations, data components, data uses, and evaluation and planning.

During her visit, Ms. Saade explored various departments at FSU, including the Institutional Research Unit, Alumni Foundation, Alumni Association, and Faculty of Medicine. The tour showcased successful practices that Lebanese HEIs could learn from and adapt, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of data-driven strategies in higher education. It emphasized the importance of commitment to data, collaboration, and strategies for student and alumni engagement, while ensuring security and privacy.

Following this, from December 9 to 17, 2023, Mr. Fouad Abdallah, Director of the CCD, participated in the Employer Engagement Study Tour, which focused on fostering partnerships between educational institutions and employers, with a specific aim to bridge the gap between education and employment. Participants, including Mr. Abdallah, observed different models of engagement implemented by universities and educational establishments to support the development of employability skills, behaviors, and work readiness among students.

The Employer Engagement Study Tour aimed to help participating institutions prepare for the transition to the workforce. By exploring strategies for collaboration between universities and workplace stakeholders, the tour sought to enhance career development and improve students’ employability.

Through their participation in these study tours, the UA CCD team gained valuable insights and best practices that will contribute to the improvement of career development strategies in Lebanon’s higher education sector. The knowledge and experiences gained will have a positive impact on UA students and alumni, as the CCD team implements these enhanced strategies to support their career growth and bridge the gap between education and employment.