President Elias L. Warrak
Speech

At the
"SWaTH" Project Closing Ceremony

9 July 2024
Zakhem Auditorium

His Excellency Dr. Firas Abiad, Minister of Public Health,
Their Excellencies the Deputies and the General Directors,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With immense gratitude and pride, I welcome you at the University of Balamand to mark the successful culmination of a project that holds significant promise for the future of environmental sustainability and public health in Lebanon.

Committed to research and innovation, leading the SWaTH Project has been a testament to the dedication of the University of Balamand in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This initiative, aimed at developing and implementing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions for hospitals, delineates our determination to protect our environment and improve the quality of life for our communities.

Hospitals are critical to public health, but they do generate wastewater containing hazardous substances, including pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and various chemicals. Proper treatment of this wastewater is essential to prevent environmental contamination and safeguard public health. Through the SWaTH Project, we have taken a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Over the past three years, our dedicated team at the Faculty of Engineering has worked tirelessly to develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of Lebanese hospitals. Their expertise and commitment have resulted in the design and implementation of state-of-the-art treatment systems that are not only effective but also sustainable.

I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our national and international collaborators, and to the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health for their support. Your cooperation has been invaluable in making this project a success. Together, we have demonstrated that through collaboration and shared vision, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.

I also want to acknowledge the unwavering support of our faculty, staff, and students. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for this project have been truly inspiring. This has shown that the University of Balamand is not just a place of learning but a hub of innovation and a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

As we celebrate the achievements of the SWaTH Project, we must also look ahead. The solutions we have developed and the knowledge we have gained must now be implemented and scaled across Lebanon and beyond. Our journey does not end here; it is only the beginning. We must continue to advocate for sustainable practices, invest in research and development, and foster a culture of environmental stewardship.

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of the SWaTH Project mostly the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union , as well as the five higher education institutions from Lebanon, namely the University of Balamand (leading institution), the Lebanese University, the Lebanese American University, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, and the Notre Dame University - Louaize in addition to the University of Granada from Spain, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology from Sweden, University of La Rochelle from France, the University of Lleida from Spain, the University of Oulu from Finland, and Plasmatrix Materials AB from Sweden.

Our joined efforts have made a lasting impact, and our legacy will be felt for generations to come. Together, we have made a significant stride towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.

Thank you, and congratulations to all of us on this remarkable achievement.

Let us continue to work together, inspire change, and build a brighter future for Lebanon and for the world.

Thank you.