SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing

Beirut Arab University Community Access to Sports Facilities

THE Impact Rankings Evidence Report

Indicator 3.3.3

Direct answer Yes. BAU documents structured, recurring and event-based community use of university sports facilities. The strongest evidence combines the BAU Sports Academy for children, school-student access through free academy memberships, non-student alumni gym access, community-group use, and current sports infrastructure across the Beirut, Debbieh and Tripoli campuses.

Executive Assessment

BAU can answer this indicator affirmatively. The evidence shows more than the existence of sports buildings. It identifies who outside the enrolled student body can use them, how access is provided, and where the activity takes place. Community access is delivered through four routes: programmed youth training, school-linked access, non-student membership, and organized use by local groups.

Evidence Basis

The report applies an evidence hierarchy. Current BAU institutional pages establish the University's position and facility inventory. Dated BAU news establishes implementation during the reporting window. BAU-managed social posts confirm recurring schedules and participant eligibility. Each claim below is paired with its original link.

• Facility pages prove that the physical assets are available and operational; programme and access pages prove use by people beyond current students.

• The conclusion does not depend on one event. It rests on recurring academy schedules, documented school access, and standing non-student access arrangements.

Institutional Position

BAU's current indicator page states that sports and fitness resources are accessible to local residents and visitors and describes community use at Beirut, Debbieh and Tripoli. It identifies the Sports Academy, local youth, schools, scout groups and external users as beneficiaries.

Programmed Community Youth Access

BAU Sports Academy

The BAU Sports Academy is the clearest evidence of programmed community use. BAU describes the academy as a community service for local youth and reports sports including basketball, football, volleyball, Muay Thai, table tennis and chess. Participants are children aged 5 to 17 rather than enrolled BAU students, so their attendance constitutes direct use of university sports facilities by the wider community.

Source BAU indicator page and Sports Academy evidence

BAU Sports Academy

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Student-Activities-Beirut/BAU-Sports-Academy

The BAU Sports Academy nurtures basketball, football, volleyball, muay thai, table tannis and chess players ages 5-17 under the expert guidance of head coach Omar Bakri and other coaches. Players are prepared to excel at their sport while becoming leaders, team players, and active community members.

In addition to skills training, fitness, and injury prevention, our academy serves as a community service to local youth by providing reasonably priced sports training sessions and classes.

Training

• Skills Training: Coaches devote tailored, step-by-step plans to improve each player's weaknesses.

• Game Experience: Players participate in matches with other clubs/academies.

• Fitness Plans: Players follow specialized fitness regimens to build athleticism.

• Diet Plans: Players receive nutrition guidance for performance and goals.

• Physiotherapy: Players attend physiotherapy to prevent and address injuries.

Our holistic approach allows players to thrive on and off the field. We build skills, fitness, nutrition knowledge, and character.

BAU Sports Academy on Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/bau.sportsacademy/?g=5

The current BAU SDG 3 page links separate summer and winter Sports Academy schedules. Seasonal schedules demonstrate that community access is programmed rather than limited to a single open day. The summer schedule link is dated 2024, while the winter schedule remains part of BAU's current SDG 3 evidence set.

Source BAU SDG 3 page with Sports Academy schedules

Source BAU Sports Academy summer schedule

Source BAU Sports Academy winter schedule

BAU sports academy summer schedule

Winter schedule starting September 1st.

BAU Sports Academy Summer Schedule 2023

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvdFLrVNhd7/?img_index=1

Back to our Winter Schedule!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1vm09ihzb3/

Check out new dates and times!

Weekend Muay Thai Classes

BAU's official LinkedIn account announced Muay Thai classes for children aged 5 to 17, held every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The identified age group, fixed weekend timetable and invitation to enroll a child provide concrete evidence of recurring access for families outside the University.

Source BAU announcement for children's Muay Thai classes

The BAU Sports Academy is thrilled to announce the opening of Muay Thai classes for children aged 5 to 17 years old, with Coach Marwa Al Arab. Classes will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

Enroll your child in Muay Thai classes and help them build strength, increase endurance, and learn self-defense techniques from a skilled instructor.

How This Evidence Meets the Indicator

• The beneficiaries are members of the local community and are not required to be BAU students.

• The activities take place through a University sports academy and therefore depend on BAU sports space and equipment.

• Published summer, winter and weekend schedules show repeat delivery.

• The range of sports supports participation by children with different interests and age-appropriate needs.

Access for Schools and Non Students

School Students Receive Free Academy Membership

On 18 March 2023, BAU hosted its third Annual Science Fair at the Beirut Campus with more than 230 high-school students from 29 schools and 90 submitted projects. The Student Activities Department granted the finalists a one-month free membership in a BAU sports academy. This is direct, dated evidence that BAU enabled school students from across Lebanon to use its sports programme and associated facilities without charge.

Source BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair 18 March 2023

BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair

Under the Patronage of the President of Beirut Arab University, Prof. Amr El Adawi, the Faculty of Science organized its BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair on March 18, 2023 in Beirut Campus. It aims to promote an appreciation for scientific principles and methods in the youth of Lebanon, encourage and foster youth advancement in science and technology, recognize schools’ efforts in the development of scientific minds and promoting creativity, teamwork, and independent thinking among students. The fair opens door for all science enthusiasts from across Lebanon’s schools to present their projects, meet their peers with common interests, interact one-on-one with university professors and science experts and engage in scientific discourse to further explore their topics.

Over 230 high school students from 29 schools across Lebanon participated this year and competed with a total of 90 projects submitted in 6 different categories and were distributed as follows: 2 projects in Astronomy, 14 projects in Applied Physical and Chemical Sciences, 15 projects in Environmental sciences, 25 projects in Health & Life sciences, 21 in STEAM and 13 in Robotics. The projects were meticulously assessed by a curated panel of judges that visited the schools’ booths, listened to the students’ presentations, and evaluated them in Q&A session. The judging panel included external members: Dr. Ahmad Chaalan (Professor of Astrophysics, Lebanese University), Dr. Rabih Baalbaki (President of Education Technology – EdTech- Syndicate), Dr. Jihad Abboud (President of chemists’ association in Lebanon), Mr. Jamal Azzam (Ministry of Education), Dr. Nizar Hani (Director of Shouf Biosphere reserve), Dr. Rami Oweini (Director of research Lab, AUH), Mr. Sami Sleem (CEO of IDS company), Mr. Mostafa Soukarieh and Mr. Hasan Kamar (President and vice-president of the Association of Physics Teachers in Lebanon, respectively) along with internal BAU members from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Said Shamieh, from the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Amira Zaylaa, and from the Faculty of Science: Prof. Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Mohammad El-Dakdouki, Dr. Jamila Borjac, Dr. Dalia El badan, Dr. Rana Hajj, Dr. Bilal Nakhal, Dr. Khouloud Habanjar, Dr. Layal Abu Daher, Dr. Rabih Damaj, Dr. Julie Abu Daher, Dr. Wasila Kanawati, Dr. Nour Ghouch, Dr Noura Abou Zeinab and Mrs. Mariam Rabaa. The projects were assessed based on: Scientific Method, Innovation and Creativity, Technical Proficiency, Communication, Comprehension, Impact and Relevance. The Top 3 projects in each category were first selected, and top 4 overall projects were then awarded BAU scholarships in Science Majors. It is worth mentioning that BAU student clubs, namely BAU Astronomy Club, American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) – BAU student section, and e-Health and Telemedicine club have also participated in this fair. Some of their projects included a prototype for detecting exoplanets and a Mars rover that replicated the features and functions of a real-life Mars rover. By their outreach to younger students through the science fair, they met their invaluable role in fostering a love of science and inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers.

Following the judging session, the awarding ceremony started with welcoming remarks of the head of BAU-SF organizing committee, Dr. Ghada Khawaja, then followed by the inspiring words from the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Ramadan Awad, who emphasized on the variety and originality of the projects that were displayed in the fair. He stated, ‘it’s enormously uplifting to be in the presence of so many young talents and creative minds who present such a great hope for the future of Lebanon.”

Dr. Khawaja addressed the students and said, “we see the results of students drawing their inspiration from the current issues and challenges in Lebanon… while each project is distinct and unique, they are all united by a great spirit of innovation, a creative and questioning approach, and an original thinking that always defines the true scientist.” She continued, “may I take this opportunity here to pay tribute to your schools, teachers, and science coordinators. It’s their encouragement, guidance, and assistance, especially in difficult times like these, that enables you to bring together this great display of scientific wonder.” In her speech, she also acknowledged the tremendous cooperation and efforts of BAU staff body, administrators, BAU-SF organizing committee members and the amazing group of volunteers from the Faculty of Science who have been such a great support and have ensured that the fair is up to the mark. She also thanked the gold sponsor ElectroSlab for supporting the fair and the bronze sponsors, Pepscio and Aquafina for sponsoring the refreshments.

Then the top three projects per category were announced on stage in the presence of the Dean of the Faculty and the respective jury panel, followed by the Top 4 winning teams of BAU scholarships.

The Top winning teams of BAU scholarships:

o First place: Imperative Driving Course, project by Razan Daher & Khalil Khaskieh, Rafic Hariri High School

o Second place: Automatic Symptom Awareness and Response Aid (A.S.S.A.R.A), project by Lea Agha Kassab & Yara Itani, from Makassed Khalid Bin AL Walid – Al Horj School College

o Third place: Sunflower System, project by Nouh Sleiman, Fatima Zreik & Nermin Diab, from Al Jawad School

o Fourth Place: Earthquake proof buildings, project by Asmaa Refai, Sana Fayad, Elham Husayni, from Al Manhal School * the fourth position prize wasn't determined based on the grades, unlike the top three projects. it was bestowed upon the project for its innovative approach in addressing real-time problems.

Winners of the Top projects benefit from Scholarships in Science Majors: 70% Scholarships on tuition fees for Math, Physics and Chemistry Majors, 40 % Scholarships on tuition fees for Computer Science, Biology and Biochemistry majors. *Scholarships are renewable for each undergraduate year provided that the student maintains a minimum cumulative 85% average.The finalists were awarded a Certificate of Distinction in recognition of their outstanding performance and were granted by the Student Activities Department a one-month free membership in one of BAU sports’ academies. Furthermore, the panel of judges were awarded certificates of appreciation in recognition of their time and efforts in this competition. Dr. Khawaja concluded the awarding ceremony, “Congratulations for all the participants, finalists, and winners! The outstanding quality of the projects presented at BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair, made indeed this competition much interesting!”

Standing Alumni Gym Access

BAU's gym page states that gyms operate on the Beirut, Debbieh and Tripoli campuses, are free for students and generally require a fee for alumni. The alumni FAQ provides a separate access mechanism: the Alumni Card permits entry to the Beirut, Debbieh and Tripoli campuses and allows alumni to enroll in the gym for the published fee. Alumni are no longer current students, so this standing arrangement corroborates non-student use of campus sports facilities.

Source BAU gym access and campus operating information

Source BAU Alumni Card gym access

BAU Gym

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Campus-Life/BAU%E2%80%99s-Gym

An on-campus gym can be found in each of Beirut, Debbieh, and Tripoli Campuses. Gyms are free to use for students and generally require a cheap symbolic fee for alumni and the general public.

Beirut Campus Gym

In Beirut Campus, the gym is located in the main building. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Additionally, in the fall and spring semesters, the gym opens its doors from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

• Equipment

Beirut Campus gym comprises 15 cardio machines, including 6 treadmills, 4 elliptical machines, 4 bicycles, and 1 rowing machine. It also comprises 20 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and a bench for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 50 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches (1 incline bench and 2 flat benches).

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Beirut campus has 45 lockers in the male changing rooms and 40 lockers in the female changing rooms. There are 4 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 4 situated in the females’ bathroom.

• Services & Facilities

The gym in Beirut is equipped with a TV on a stand facing each cardio machine. There are also 4 additional TVs at the gym. A vending machine can also be found. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU t-shirts, sports outfits, mugs, hats, athletic belts, and sports gloves.

Debbieh Campus Gym

The gym in Debbieh Campus is located near the green field. It faces the Faculty of Science main laboratories building. The gym operates from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Friday.

• Equipment

Debbieh Campus gym comprises a set of 5 cardio machines, including 4 treadmills and 1 elliptical machine. The gym also has 56 bicycles. Students can borrow a bicycle for free. Bicycles are available for borrowing from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day. The gym has a set of 36 strength-training machines targeting various muscle groups. It also contains various dumbbells, plates, and benches for practice.

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Debbieh campus has 27 lockers located in the training area. Additionally, there are 20 lockers in each of the males’ shower room and females’ shower rooms.

• Services & Facilities

In addition to the borrow-a-bike service mentioned above, students can enjoy several other sports at the gym. Debbieh gym contains 5 ping-pong tables and 3 billiard tables in the second floor.

Tripoli Campus Gym

In Tripoli Campus, the gym is located in Block D - GF. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday during Fall and Spring semester and from 9:00 AM to 5 PM during summer.

• Equipment

Tripoli Campus gym comprises 7 cardio machines, including 3 treadmills, 2 elliptical machines, 2 bicycles. It also comprises 15 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and 2 benches for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 35 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches.

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Tripoli campus has 42 lockers located inside the Gym. There are 2 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 2 situated in the females’ bathroom.

• Services & Facilities

The gym in Tripoli is equipped with a 2 TV’s on the wall. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU towels.

Local Residents and Organized Community Groups

BAU's current institutional indicator page reports that local residents and external users can access sports facilities, and that the University accommodates local youth, sports clubs and scout groups through programmed or organized use. At Debbieh, this institutional statement is supported by a facility page listing a dedicated scouting-camp site alongside extensive sports infrastructure. The combined evidence demonstrates access that extends beyond students and alumni to community organizations.

Source BAU community access statement

Source Debbieh facilities and scouting-camp site

Services & Facilities

At Debbieh site, students can enjoy sports activities and can choose from among the various sporting services:

• A basketball court, together with its en-suite bathrooms.

• A multi-activity gymnasium of an area 4,900 m2. It encompasses a multi-purpose playground with bathrooms, changing rooms and administrative rooms in addition to rooms for other sports activities.

• A football pitch meeting the international criteria with racing tracks around.

• A fully equipped suitable site to establish a scouting camp used by nature roamers at the university.

• Non stop shuttle of buses between Debbieh site and Beirut site is offered.

• A bank that offers services for students and staff.

• An observatory is constructed to offer astronomical observations.

• A fully equipped clinic for first aid and emergency.

• Three restaurants are built one outdoor and two indoor that offers hot meals and snacks for students and staff at reasonable prices.

• Four parking lots are set with a capacity of 600 cars.

• A bookstore of an area of 200m2 offers all kind of printing and stationary services for students.

• A Wi-Fi internet for all students.

Sports Facilities Available for Shared Use

Community access is credible because BAU maintains substantial sports infrastructure across three campuses. The current facility pages below establish the physical capacity used by the academy, school beneficiaries, alumni and organized community groups. The access conclusion comes from reading these pages together with BAU's community-access and programme evidence.

Beirut Campus

The Beirut Campus page identifies a gymnasium, an indoor sports hall and a football field within the main urban campus. The gym page adds current operating hours and equipment details, including cardio and strength-training machines, a stretching area, lockers and showers. These facilities support the Sports Academy and the school-student memberships documented above.

Source Beirut Campus facilities

Source BAU gym facilities and hours

Beirut Campus Gym

In Beirut Campus, the gym is located in the main building. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Additionally, in the fall and spring semesters, the gym opens its doors from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

• Equipment

Beirut Campus gym comprises 15 cardio machines, including 6 treadmills, 4 elliptical machines, 4 bicycles, and 1 rowing machine. It also comprises 20 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and a bench for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 50 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches (1 incline bench and 2 flat benches).

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Beirut campus has 45 lockers in the male changing rooms and 40 lockers in the female changing rooms. There are 4 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 4 situated in the females’ bathroom.

• Services & Facilities

The gym in Beirut is equipped with a TV on a stand facing each cardio machine. There are also 4 additional TVs at the gym. A vending machine can also be found. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU t-shirts, sports outfits, mugs, hats, athletic belts, and sports gloves.

Debbieh Campus

Debbieh provides the largest outdoor and multipurpose sports capacity in BAU's current facility inventory. The official page lists a basketball court, a 4,900 square metre multi-activity gymnasium with a multipurpose playground and changing rooms, an international-standard football pitch with running tracks, and a fully equipped site suitable for a scouting camp. The current consolidated campus page also identifies the gymnasium and outdoor sports field.

Source Debbieh sports and scouting facilities

Source BAU consolidated campus facilities

Debbieh Campus Gym

The gym in Debbieh Campus is located near the green field. It faces the Faculty of Science main laboratories building. The gym operates from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Friday.

• Equipment

Debbieh Campus gym comprises a set of 5 cardio machines, including 4 treadmills and 1 elliptical machine. The gym also has 56 bicycles. Students can borrow a bicycle for free. Bicycles are available for borrowing from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day. The gym has a set of 36 strength-training machines targeting various muscle groups. It also contains various dumbbells, plates, and benches for practice.

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Debbieh campus has 27 lockers located in the training area. Additionally, there are 20 lockers in each of the males’ shower room and females’ shower rooms.

• Services & Facilities

In addition to the borrow-a-bike service mentioned above, students can enjoy several other sports at the gym. Debbieh gym contains 5 ping-pong tables and 3 billiard tables in the second floor.

Tripoli Campus

The Tripoli sports-facilities page records a gym, activity rooms and outdoor courts. It lists an aerobics and kickboxing room, ping-pong tables, and outdoor basketball and football courts, with the gym operating from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This page establishes the available capacity; BAU's indicator page establishes the reported community-access route.

Source Tripoli sports facilities

Source BAU community-access statement for Tripoli

Tripoli Campus Gym

In Tripoli Campus, the gym is located in Block D - GF. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday during Fall and Spring semester and from 9:00 AM to 5 PM during summer.

• Equipment

Tripoli Campus gym comprises 7 cardio machines, including 3 treadmills, 2 elliptical machines, 2 bicycles. It also comprises 15 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and 2 benches for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 35 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches.

• Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Tripoli campus has 42 lockers located inside the Gym. There are 2 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 2 situated in the females’ bathroom.

• Services & Facilities

The gym in Tripoli is equipped with a 2 TV’s on the wall. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU towels.

Recent Operational Evidence

A dated BAU report from 13 November 2025 records a five-team basketball tournament in the Debbieh sports hall. This event involved BAU students and is therefore supporting evidence of recent facility operation, not by itself evidence of public access. Its value is to confirm that the hall identified in the facility inventory remained in active use during the reporting period.

Source Debbieh sports hall activity 13 November 2025

Basketball Tournament

Evidence Matrix

The matrix distinguishes core access evidence from supporting evidence. Core evidence proves that people outside the current student body can use BAU sports facilities. Supporting evidence confirms capacity, location or recent operation.

Evidence Links

1. BAU indicator 3.3.3 https://www.bau.edu.lb/SDG/3-3-3

2. BAU SDG 3 evidence page https://www.bau.edu.lb/SDG3

3. Children's weekend Muay Thai classes https://www.linkedin.com/posts/beirut-arab-university_the-bau-sports-academy-is-thrilled-to-announce-activity-7041338154812899328-o_v7

4. BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-3rd-Annual-Science-Fair

5. BAU gym page https://www.bau.edu.lb/Campus-Life/BAU%E2%80%99s-Gym

6. BAU alumni access FAQ https://www.bau.edu.lb/FAQ/Alumni

7. Debbieh facilities https://www.bau.edu.lb/Debbieh/Services-and-Facilities

8. Beirut facilities https://www.bau.edu.lb/Beirut-Campus

9. Tripoli sports facilities https://www.bau.edu.lb/Tripoli-Campus/Sports-Facilities

10. Debbieh basketball event https://www.bau.edu.lb/Science/News/Basketball-Tournament

Assessment Against the Indicator

Contribution to SDG 3

Sharing sports facilities gives community members practical opportunities for physical activity in a safe and equipped setting. The youth academy supports early participation and skill development; school memberships reduce a financial barrier; alumni access sustains physical activity beyond graduation; and organized group use extends the University's sports infrastructure to the communities surrounding its campuses. These mechanisms support SDG 3 by encouraging active lifestyles and wellbeing across age groups.

Submission Conclusion

Beirut Arab University meets indicator 3.3.3. The evidence demonstrates programmed and event-based sharing of sports facilities with people outside the current student body. The strongest submission package should lead with the current BAU indicator page, the Sports Academy schedules, the 2023 school membership award, and the standing alumni gym route, supported by current facility pages for Beirut, Debbieh and Tripoli.

Recommended response for the THE portal Yes

Source Primary institutional evidence