Article 1

 

A Research Center is established in the Faculty of Information (according to Article 3 of Decree 9963 dated 24/3/1975), which includes the following departments:

1. Studies Department

2. Research & Documentation Department

3. Media Development & Media Training Center

 

Article 2

 

Under the supervision of the dean, the Center is responsible for the following tasks:

1. Proposing the research policy and preparing the annual work plan for research.

2. Proposing the establishment of specialized research laboratories, merging and closing them.

3. Proposing programs to activate research activity.

4. Establishing a database for research documentation.

5. Expressing opinion on research projects submitted to the research support programs approved by the Central Administration.

6. Preparing the draft scientific research budget in the faculty.

7. Preparing the annual report on the research activity in the faculty.

 

Article 3

 

The structure of the Center is as follows:

1. President of the Center

2. Scientific Research Council

3. Research laboratories

4. Administrative body

 

Article 4

 

1. The Head of the Center shall be appointed for a period of three years, renewable for one time, from among the members of the teaching staff who are tenured or full-time and who hold the rank of professor or fulfill the requirements of the rank, according to a decision issued by the President of the University based on the proposal of the Dean, one month before the end of the current head's term, from among three names nominated by the Faculty Council, selected from the five names submitted to it by the Scientific Research Board.

 

2. The Head of the Center shall be a judicial member of the Faculty Council and shall enjoy in this field the powers assigned to the branch director.

 

3. The Head of the Center shall be exempted from one-third of his/her teaching quota at most upon his/her request and by a decision of the President of the University.

 

4. The Head of the Center shall assume the following duties:

- Invite the Scientific Research Board to meet and chairing its meetings, preparing the agenda and preparing the minutes.

- Prepare the annual work plan for research in the faculty and submit it to the Board for approval before the end of September.

- Coordinate, under the dean's supervision, with the doctoral schools regarding doctoral-related activities and organizing the use of common research platforms.

- Prepare the draft scientific research budget in the faculty and submitting it to the Scientific Research Board for approval and referring it duly to the faculty board within the deadline specified in the university's financial system.

- Prepare the annual report on the research activity in the faculty and submitting it to the faculty council before the end of June after its approval by the Scientific Research Board.

 

Article 5

 

The Scientific Research Board consists of:

- Head of the Center

- Four to eight members from among the directors of the research laboratories working in the faculty, and if it is not possible to complete the number of members from among the research professors in the laboratories with the rank of professor (and if not, assistant professor).

- In selecting the members of the Scientific Board, consideration shall be given to the multiplicity of branches and specializations.

 

Article 6

 

The tasks of the Scientific Research Board are defined as follows:

1. Proposing the research unit's policy within the university's plan for scientific research.

2. Approving the annual work plan in the faculty.

3. Expressing opinion on the research projects submitted to the research support programs approved by the Central Administration and recommending them.

4. Proposing programs to activate research activity in the faculty, organizing conferences, scientific seminars, specialization courses and workshops, and issuing publications related to scientific research.

5. Proposing the establishment of research laboratories, merging them and closing them.

6. Approving the draft scientific research budget in the faculty.

7. Approving the annual report on the research activity in the faculty.

 

Article 7

 

The Center consists of the following research laboratories:

1. Media and Journalism Studies Laboratory

2. Information Management Laboratory

3. Organizational Communication Laboratory

 

Article 8

 

The Research Laboratory is an academic-administrative framework for organizing the scientific research process in the faculty.

 

1. The research laboratory undertakes the following tasks:

- Conducting research and studies

- Establishing a database for research documentation in the laboratory

- Proposing the laboratory's annual work plan and submitting it to the Head of the Center before the end of July.

- Proposing the draft research budget in the laboratory

- Developing the annual report on the research activity in the laboratory and submitting it to the Head of the Center before the end of May.

2. The laboratory is managed by one of the researchers in the specialty of the laboratory with the rank of professor (and in case of impossibility assistant professor) and the appointment is made by a decision of the President of the University based on the proposal of the Dean based on the recommendation of the Head of the Center and its Council for a period of three years renewable for one time.

 

3. The director of the laboratory:

- Manage the laboratory.

- Propose research projects and plans for the laboratory and estimate their costs.

- Develop the annual report on the research activity in the laboratory and submit it to the Head of the Center before the end of May.

 

Article 9

 

The administrative and financial work in the Center shall be carried out by employees designated by the Dean after coordination with the Head of the Center from among the faculty employees.

Employees at the Center shall not receive any additional compensation or wages for these works.

 

Article 10

 

1. The Center conducts research and studies:

- For the Lebanese University

- For the public sector

- For the private sector or for any other external party in accordance with the applicable laws.

 

2. The Scientific Research Board shall determine the process of conducting these researches and studies.

 

3. Research projects and studies shall be submitted to the Head of the Center, where they are studied by the Scientific Council and submitted by the Dean to the President of the University.

 

Article 11

 

1. The Center's revenues consist of:

- University funds (research support programs, annual operating budget...).

- Revenues from projects that are supported by local and external institutions.

- Unconditional donations and grants.

- Revenues resulting from contracts concluded by the university with public and private entities.

The provisions contained in the University's Financial Regulations and governing decisions shall apply to these revenues.

 

2. Expenditures of the Center:

Research and study expenditures shall be approved and disbursed according to the principles prescribed in the university's financial system, based on the Dean's proposal based on the report of the person responsible for the research or study, the approval of the Faculty Council, and in accordance with the approved research mechanisms issued by the University Presidency.

 

Article 12

 

This decision shall take effect and be communicated as needed.