Signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) between Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU), A.N. Boukather Group (ANB), and Layer10

 Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), A.N. Boukather Group (ANB), and Layer10 signed a tripartite strategic partnership agreement in the field of AI, during a ceremony held on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at the university’s main campus in Louaize.

The signing ceremony was attended by the President of NDU, Reverend Father Bechara Khoury; the Honorary President of A.N. Boukather Group, Mr. Antoine Boukather; and Mr. Carl Nehme, Chief Executive Officer of Layer10. The event was also attended by Dr. Najib Metni, Vice President for University Advancement; Mr. André Fahed, Director of the University’s Office of Communications; as well as a large gathering of executives, employees, and families of the A.N. Boukather Group.

The agreement aims to establish a sustainable collaboration between academia and the private sector through a high-level applied training program that directly connects NDU students with real-world professional environments within ANB Group companies and Layer10. This initiative provides students with advanced hands-on experience aligned with market requirements, enhancing their professional readiness. The partnership falls within a broader effort to strengthen university–private sector cooperation and to develop advanced training programs in artificial intelligence applied to automotive distribution and maintenance.

Under the agreement, selected NDU students will join ANB and Layer10 as full-time interns, working on advanced artificial intelligence projects applied to the automotive sector, with a focus on automation, data engineering, and AI applications in which A.N. Boukather Group has begun investing in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates over the past year. ANB Group will provide mentorship, logistical support, access to its professional facilities, the expertise of its teams, and its business incubator at its headquarters, ensuring full integration into a real operational environment. Students will be selected according to clearly defined academic and professional criteria, including academic excellence and enrollment in relevant disciplines such as engineering, computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence.

Layer10 will oversee the technical supervision through a structured training pathway, a clearly defined professional development program, and direct mentorship grounded in its deep expertise in artificial intelligence, acquired through advanced projects led by its founders in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, in accordance with best practices in global technology environments.

In his address at the ceremony, Reverend Father Bechara Khoury, President of NDU, emphasized that the university is an integral part of Lebanon’s national fabric, stressing that no university can limit itself to graduating students without opening real prospects for their future or providing tangible opportunities for professional integration. He noted that the university’s partnership philosophy is based on shared values and vision, as genuine partnerships emerge between institutions united by a belief in human dignity above all else. He further highlighted that today’s labor market requires not only technical expertise, but individuals rooted in strong values, possessing a clear identity and a strong sense of ethical responsibility—qualities embodied by long-standing institutions such as A.N. Boukather Group, which have upheld these principles for nearly a century. He concluded by reaffirming the university’s full commitment to its national and educational mission, grounded in the conviction that building individuals through both knowledge and values is the foundation of Lebanon’s future and its standing in local, regional, and global labor markets.

Mr. Nicolas Boukather, Chairman of A.N. Boukather Group, reviewed the historical journey of the corporation, whose roots date back to 1927 when it was founded by Mr. Nicolas Boukather Senior, initially active in automotive trade across Mount Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. He underscored that this legacy was not built overnight, but accumulated over decades of hard work and dedication. He stressed that partnerships between the private sector and higher education are critical to accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence and enhancing the competitiveness of Lebanese companies locally and regionally. He explained that the choice of NDU reflects its advanced investments in this field, the caliber of its students, and their values, noting that connecting academia with real-world applications improves service quality, increases productivity, accelerates performance, and enhances customer experience.

Mr. Boukather also added that this initiative represents an initial step, with the Group adopting an open approach to expanding partnerships with other universities, guided by a vision of openness, complementary expertise, and accelerated innovation and collaboration. He noted that such initiatives demonstrate the ability of Lebanon’s private sector to create meaningful learning and employment opportunities, curb talent migration, and build innovation capabilities that strengthen Lebanon’s presence in emerging technology sectors. He concluded by emphasizing that the agreement launched today embodies a genuine partnership between the private sector and a leading academic institution, serving as a living bridge between knowledge and application, classrooms and market realities, and between youth aspirations and national needs—within a shared vision aimed at building a more cohesive and sustainable future for Lebanon.

For his part, Layer10 Chief Executive Officer Mr. Carl Nehme stated that the selection of Notre Dame University–Louaize as an academic partner stems from its strong scientific standing and forward-looking programs. He expressed his aspiration to further develop this cooperation and to build a partnership that contributes to preparing the next generation of artificial intelligence specialists capable of bridging theory and real-world application.

This agreement contributes to strengthening Lebanon’s artificial intelligence ecosystem by integrating academic knowledge with private-sector expertise through knowledge exchange, advanced skills development, and investment in young talent via real projects addressing tangible operational challenges. The training program includes advanced applications in intelligent inventory management, pricing models, competitive analysis, customer experience optimization, as well as operational automation, forecasting, and predictive analytics.