The Association for the Advancement of Industrial and Technological Skills was founded by a group of professionals, industrialists, and community leaders in the city of Sidon, Lebanon in 19 ……This initiative stemmed out of the recognition by the group of the lack in the job market of highly specialized and skilled technicians and technologists in a number of everyday life disciplines, such as medical electronic devices, industrial electrical and electromechanical equipment and machinery, information technology, car maintenance and repairs, and many others. Furthermore, we live in a rapidly changing world where new and emerging technologies are having a tremendous impact on human life and any community should be well prepared to handle them in effective and efficient ways.

Moreover, there is recognition of the presence of a good cadre of young individuals in Sidon and its surrounding growing neighborhoods which can benefit from an opportunity to acquire the necessary education and skills to fill in the above-stated gap and need.  While it is true there are several vocational and practical training schools in the vicinity, most if not all lack the advanced level of education and training that can serve the stated purpose. In view of this, the objectives of the Association are as follows:

1. To disseminate new industrial and technological knowledge and expertise and work on implementing them to meet the needs of the Lebanese communities for their well-being and advancement.
2. To undertake  a variety of educational and training activities that contribute to the dissemination of industrial and technological expertise, including the establishment of an Institute of Higher Education and securing the necessary administrative and human resources,  space requirements, workshop facilities, and equipment to fulfill its set objectives.

Definition of the Association:

The Association operates out of the guiding principle of advancing modern technologies and related skills in Lebanon in general with emphasis on the Saida region, with the purpose of enhancing the employability of young skilled people for jobs of high added value that encourage creativity on one hand, and the advancement of society on the other.

The Association seeks to survey and assess the priority needs in the fields of modern technologies in the various sectors of production and services, and to work on meeting them by founding a technological educational institute that focuses on technical training and acquiring tangible skills.

Introduction to the Higher Institute of Technology in Saida:

Upon establishing it, the Institute shall receive students who have completed the second stage of their high school education, or the higher vocational stage, and shall offer a variety of specialized programs that consist of intensive theoretical education and practical training for the most appropriate periods, ranging from few months to few years, depending on the nature and design of the individual program.  Theoretical studies will be catered to per each program and they will offer the fundamentals in mathematics, pure sciences, and applied sciences. Upon completing a program, the student is also expected to have practical experience in the fields of specialization. Graduates of the programs shall hold a diploma certification that makes them eligible for employment as highly specialized technicians/technologists in their field of study.

To ensure their high quality and compliance with international standards, the training programs of the Institute will focus on acquiring, utilizing, and maintaining innovative state-of-art technologies, whether imported or locally made,. It will also train its students on proper and effective communication skills with the professional staff, engineers, and administrators.

Collaborations:

The Institute has the potential to build local and foreign collaborations. As indicated above, there are several vocational and technical schools in Sidon and the vicinity which can be collaborated with in situations where resources are limited and represent opportunists to establish joint collaborative programs. Globally, there are many examples of universities, colleges, or institutions that focus on technical education and training. The Association will seek opportunities for collaboration or partnership with some of these organizations to fulfill its objectives. Such cooperation can allow the exchange of resources or opportunities for intensive short-term education and training on equipment or technologies that are not readily available locally In addition, it is projected that once the programs of the Institute become fully functional and capable of graduating many students, the job market may be extended to neighboring countries based on the recognized needs and evolving technologies. And thus establish collaborations with governments and the private sector.