On July 26, 2024, the Higher Education Capacity Development (HECD) Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the first Career Center Consortium (CCC) in Lebanon, aiming to bridge the gap between academic institutions and the job market by fostering deeper partnerships with employers.

The Consortium includes members from 10 Lebanese higher education institutions, seeking to exchange best practices, enhance the expertise of their career center specialists, and better align their academic programs with the current requirements of the labor market.

Representing Antonine University (UA) at the launch was Mr. Fouad Abdallah, Director of UA’s Center for Career Development (CCD), who was elected as the Chair of the Consortium for one year. “By working together, we can ensure that our graduates not only secure jobs but are also equipped to lead, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to society,” said Mr. Abdallah. “This generation of students cares deeply about meaning, purpose, and happiness at work, and they are seeking opportunities and experiences through which they can make a difference in the world.”

In addition to establishing the CCC in Lebanon, USAID, through its HECD Program, has provided comprehensive support and capacity building for the career centers affiliated with partner universities. This support includes training, an international study tour to the United States, and in-kind grants exceeding $200,000 to renovate and strengthen these career centers.

UA’s CCD team will coordinate closely with each career center to implement the Consortium’s goals before handing over the torch in August 2025 to another university to continue the journey.