In a dynamic fusion of expertise and eagerness, the University of Balamand’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Laboratories (CIEL) have welcomed Noam Janitor, a dynamic student from l’École d’Ingénieur à l’IMT Mines Albi in France, renowned for its affiliation with Batiprint3D industry, to explore Geopolymer 3D Printing. Noam's unwavering dedication to sustainable construction and cutting-edge technology has sparked a radiant wave of innovation throughout an enlightening three-month internship at the CIEL within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand.

Under the guidance of Dr. Marianne Saba, Assistant Professor at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Noam embarked on a transformative journey that led to the exploration and development of Geopolymer materials for 3D printing. Noam's dedication bore fruit as he gained a profound understanding of the Geopolymer properties and also successfully developed 3D printing structures made for it. This achievement serves as a testament to Noam's commitment to merging skills and knowledge developed with Dr. Saba with practical application applied in ACTS (Beirut), thus resulting in an innovative and efficient 3D printed material.

This experience not only expanded Noam's technical proficiency, but also fostered crucial skills in effective teamwork in the world of research and development, which underlines the determination to drive innovation in sustainable construction (SDGs 4, 9 and 11).

Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Rami Abboud commended this fruitful collaboration and stated: “Noam's journey at the University of Balamand shines as a guiding light for students, researchers, and professionals alike. It underscores the boundless potential that arises when diverse minds from around the world come together to shape an improved world through technology, sustainability, and collaborative endeavors”. Professor Abboud further commended Dr Saba for her expertise, dedication and support, and for hosting the international internship amplifying the range of expertise that our faculty can offer our European partners.

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