Beirut Arab University, represented by Prof. Ibtihal Y. El-Bastawissi (Dean, Faculty of Architecture – Design & Built Environment) and Siam University, represented by Prof. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit (President of Siam University) have been invited by the IAU (International Association of Universities) to share their experience in engaging with the Cluster and sustainability in the Networking Session in the York Virtual Conference on Sustainable and Inclusive Internationalization.
The conference was organized by York University – Canada, in partnership with the IAU, Okayama University – Japan, and Canadian Commission for Unesco. The conference took place on 20-22 January 2021, while the Networking Session that has been hosted by the IAU was on 21 January 2021. In her presentation, Prof. El-Bastawissi focused on achieving the SDG goals generally and SDG9 particularly through education, research, conferences, new labs, innovation and community-based projects as well as wide-spreading BAU Journals, and developing partnerships with other universities.
Following this successful intervention in the conference, IAU represented by Hilligje van't Land, the Secretary General, welcomed BAU and Siam Universities to share concrete examples of community engagement focusing on social impact to be presented by IAU during the University World News Webinar entitled “Building Social Impact and Civic Engagement on 27 January 2021. Prof. El-Bastawissi shared with the IAU seven examples on BAU Community Engagement and on the university’s role in promoting sustainable urban development.