On October 12, 2023, Dr. Elias Warrak, President of the University of Balamand, inaugurated the "Sustainability Wall" within the Engineering Complex at the university's Koura campus as part of the Faculty of Engineering's Erasmus Days 2023 celebration. The celebration was organized by the SWaTH project (The Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals), funded by the Erasmus+ program and led by the University of Balamand.
Guests at the event included Ms. Alessia Squarcella, representing the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon; Dr. Arif Al-Soufi, the Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Office in Lebanon; and professors, administrators, staff and students.
The SWaTH project, managed by Dr. Makram El Bachawati, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, aims to assess the social and environmental impacts of wastewater treatment, foster knowledge exchange between European and Lebanese partners, and enhance the skills of environmental and chemical engineers all while creating opportunities for capacity building in this domain.
In his speech, UOB Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Rami Abboud, emphasized the positive influence of the Erasmus program, stating that it plays a crucial role in strengthening relationships between Lebanese and European educational institutions. Moreover, Professor Abboud shed light on the University of Balamand's unwavering commitment to sustainability, particularly spotlighting the remarkable initiatives within the Faculty of Engineering.
Ms. Squarcella emphasized the European Union's mission to initiate development projects in Lebanon with a focus on environmental conservation and raising awareness of sustainability standards. She emphasized Higher Education Institutions as crucial partners in this respect.
In turn, Dr. El Bachawati expressed gratitude to the European Union for funding and consistently supporting projects related to water purification and sustainable treatment, underscoring the project's importance and its positive environmental impact. He also highlighted the impact that SWaTH has had in this respect.
Additionally, the day featured a series of activities at the Faculty of Engineering, including laboratory tours and competitions organized by dedicated student volunteers as well as an information session about the next call for Erasmus+ projects delivered by Dr. AlSoufi.
