The series includes eight competitions covering the following academic skill areas: Microsoft, Adobe, Entrepreneurship, Innovation in Education, Programming, Debate, Public Speaking, and Volunteer Impact.

These championships open wide horizons for students to acquire essential skills, engage in local competitions, and represent Lebanon in international forums. Many of the competitions are linked to global finals held in California, New York, London, Qatar, and Jordan.

Université La Sagesse will continue its partnership in the Microsoft Skills Championship, a competition targeting students aged 13 to 22, who first compete within their schools and universities before qualifying for the Microsoft Lebanon Skills Championship 2026, which will be held next May at Université La Sagesse. The winners will then participate in the World Championship, taking place this year in California, USA.

Hosting this competition for the first time, Université La Sagesse is set to welcome the largest edition yet reaching an expected 7,000 students, compared to 3,000 participants from 40 schools and six universities in the previous edition.

Dr. Rayan Haikal, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Université La Sagesse, welcomed the attendees and expressed the university’s pride in hosting this academic event, particularly the Microsoft Skills Championship. He highlighted that such competitions encourage students to acquire essential digital skills, opening broad scientific horizons and preparing them for the job market — steering them away from the unproductive and excessive use of technology.
He added that this initiative reflects one of Université La Sagesse’s core missions: to inspire students to grow, embrace innovation, and gain the competencies that ensure academic and professional success.

Mrs. May Makhzoumi, President of the Makhzoumi Foundation, emphasized the importance of partnerships between the private sector, civil society, and academia, stressing their shared role in empowering students and providing them with opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth.

Mr. Tarek El Bacha, CEO of ITLS, congratulated Lebanese students for achieving first place worldwide in the Excel category last year, in addition to top rankings in other categories — notably fifth place in Adobe. He affirmed that Lebanese students possess the talent and expertise to raise Lebanon’s name high internationally, adding that these championships are a key step toward integrating educational technology and embracing the rise of artificial intelligence.

Dr. Houssam Salameh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rafik Hariri University, also addressed the audience, underlining the importance of such competitions in shaping students’ skills and character, while promoting Lebanon’s representation under its national flag in global arenas. Rafik Hariri University will host the Adobe Championship this year.

Finally, students Jana Abdallah and Rina Chami shared their personal experiences in the competitions, encouraging their peers to participate, highlighting the invaluable impact these experiences have on their academic and professional journeys.

More details about the competitions are available at:
🔗 https://itls-lb.net/competitions/