Professors from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand (UOB) in Lebanon, through the Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals (SWaTH) program, participated in a Mobility to the University of Oulu in Finland. SWaTH is a three-year capacity building in higher education (CBHE) program co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and coordinated by the University of Balamand, offers a significant chance for sharing knowledge between European and Lebanese universities and the industry.

The mobility took place from November 21st till the 25th with Dr. Makram El Bachawati, Dr. Wael Hamd, and Dr. Marianne Saba representing UOB with several national and international partner universities such as the University of Granada (Spain), University of La Rochelle (France), Lebanese American University (Lebanon), Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (Lebanon), and the Notre Dame University of Louaize (Lebanon).

Eleven organizations from four European and Mediterranean nations—France, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Lebanon—were represented in the Project Consortium. The goal of the project is to unite Higher Education Institutions from Partner Countries in the Southern Mediterranean with European Higher Education Institutions and European Industries that own and supply cutting-edge developments, extensive international experience, and innovative learning practices.

The visit aimed at fostering stronger ties amongst the partners to develop new and innovative methods to benefit the respective communities. The team attended workshops on Geopolymer and Photocatalytic Water treatment, as well as current water-related research methods in Finland. They visited various labs and facilities such as the Centre of Material Analysis, the Faculty of Technology, and other research units. They also took a tour of the Taskila Wastewater Treatment Plant and attended lectures on circular economy in wastewater management and membrane technology for water purification.

Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Rami Abboud praised the efforts of Dr. Bachawati and the whole SWaTH team, nationally and internationally, for addressing many of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) through this challenging project that is funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme. This project, in no doubt, addresses SDG6 for clean water and sanitation, SDG9 for industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG11 for sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 for responsible consumption and production, and SDG17 partnerships for the goals. Prof. Abboud emphasized UOB's dedication to sustainability and its efforts to provide our students with the opportunity to be agents of positive change for a better future.​