2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Integrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development through the Vertically Integrated Projects Plus Program

Presented at Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division (ENT) Technical Session 8- Institutional Programs & Ecosystems

The Vertically Integrated Projects Plus (VIP+) program introduces an innovative educational model that integrates project-based learning with entrepreneurial development to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders. Designed to bridge gaps in traditional higher education, the program fosters both disciplinary expertise and innovation-driven thinking, cultivating students capable of transforming ideas into impactful solutions across diverse fields.
Students pursuing the VIP+ Certificate complete nine credits, comprising six credits earned through sustained engagement in multidisciplinary VIP+ projects and three credits through a leadership or entrepreneurship course. At the core of the program are long-term, innovation-centered projects that unite students and faculty from various disciplines to collaborate on real-world challenges. This structure enhances critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and project management skills while promoting interdisciplinary teamwork and sustained mentorship.
The entrepreneurship component complements this experiential framework by introducing students to the principles of innovation, business strategy, and market-oriented design, enabling them to identify opportunities for technological, social, and economic advancement. By merging academic rigor with entrepreneurial mindset development, the VIP+ program serves as a catalyst for cultivating innovators and changemakers who can navigate and shape the evolving landscape of global industry and society.
This approach enriches university education as a whole and provides a research-driven platform for exploring how the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship can redefine student learning and prepare graduates to lead in dynamic, technology-driven environments.

Authors

Dr. Pierre Rahme Lebanese American University (LAU) [biography]

Dr. Pierre Rahme is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program at the Lebanese American University (LAU). He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toulouse, France. From 2017 to 2021, he served as Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Lebanese University. Dr. Rahme is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and his research has been published in several internationally recognized journals.
Michel Elkhoury http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-2732-4190 Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. Michel Khoury is the Dean of the School of Engineering at the Lebanese American University (LAU), where he leads strategic initiatives in academic innovation, industry partnerships, and program development. Previously Assistant Provost and Associate Dean, he played a key role in implementing LAU’s strategic plan and launching new programs such as Engineering PreMed and Chemical Engineering. A Professor of Mechanical Engineering, he has led ABET accreditation renewals, curriculum modernization, and major lab expansions. His research focuses on turbulence modeling and CFD for wind energy. He holds degrees from METU and Lehigh University and serves as an ABET evaluator representing ASME.
Dr. Abbas Tarhini http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-9441-1649 Lebanese American University [biography]

Abbas Tarhini is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at the Lebanese American University (LAU). His research focuses on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, technology adoption, and the organizational and societal impacts of emerging technologies. He has published in leading international journals. Dr. Tarhini is an active member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), past President of the AIS Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Chapter, and serves in editorial and guest-editorial roles for several peer-reviewed journals. He also leads industry-funded AI and innovation initiatives and contributes actively to international academic and professional communities
Dr. George E Nasr Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. George E. Nasr has been Provost at the Lebanese American University (LAU) since 2018, following his tenure as Dean of the LAU School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and has published extensively on energy modeling and engineering education. He is an active member of IEEE and ASEE and serves on various international educational committees.

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