Building on the ongoing success of the RL4Eng project, a new cohort featuring a key workshop and a general consortium meeting on remote labs was hosted this time at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) in, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Held from February 9 to February 14, 2025, and marked another significant step in the project's mission to drive digital transformation in engineering education.

Funded by the Erasmus+ European Union Programme, the RL4Eng Project aims to improve the quality of higher education in third countries where it involves several work packages to enhance understanding and utilization of remote labs and take home labs in partner institution.

Representing the University of Balamand at this international gathering were Dr. Rodrigue Imad, Associate Professor at the Computer Engineering Department, Dr. Firas Barraj, Assistant Professor at the Civil Engineering Department, and Mr. Rabih Kahaleh, Software & Web Development Manager, from the IT Department. The team’s participation underscores the university’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and innovative teaching methodologies.

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Imad highlighted the significance of such initiatives by stating: “The workshop in Zanzibar was a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise with international colleagues. It reinforced our collective vision of making engineering education more accessible and technologically advanced.”

Looking ahead, the RL4Eng project will continue its mission with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand welcoming all partners to Lebanon in June 2025 as host for the next consortium meeting. The entire team will visit the University of Balamand for this phase, further reinforcing international cooperation and expanding remote lab capabilities.

The Faculty of Engineering commends the efforts of the team as this initiative aligns with its strategic vision to integrate cutting-edge digital tools into our educational framework by embracing technological advances to extends classrooms and labs beyond the constraints of buildings. Through collaborations like RL4Eng, the faculty can continue to pave the way for a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable engineering education.

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