Beirut Arab University remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability across all aspects of academic and community engagement. As part of our ongoing efforts to align with global sustainability goals, BAU has developed and implemented dedicated training programs focusing on the environmental aspects of sustainability. These initiatives aim to build awareness, enhance competencies, and empower students, faculty, and stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices. Through academic programs, hands-on workshops, and collaborative projects, we continue to integrate environmental education into our institutional framework, reinforcing our role as a regional leader in sustainable development.

UNESCO Club

The UNESCO Club at Beirut Arab University  is an active, student-driven organization that aligns with the values and mission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Through this platform, BAU empowers its students to become advocates and leaders in promoting education, science, culture, communication, and, importantly, sustainability.

Club Mission

The UNESCO Club pursues various initiatives in line with UNESCO's mission, including:

• Promoting education and advocating for quality schooling.
• Preserving cultural heritage sites and traditions.
• Encouraging scientific innovation and research.
• Fostering communication, freedom of speech, and access to information.
• Supporting human rights, equality, inclusivity, and social justice.
• Promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
• Advocating for environmental sustainability.

By carrying out projects in these areas, our club contributes to a more peaceful, tolerant, and sustainable world.

Purpose and Vision of the UNESCO Club at BAU:

The UNESCO Club provides a structured and supportive environment where students are trained to embody and promote UNESCO’s core values. These include:

• Global citizenship
• Intercultural understanding
• Human rights and peace
• Sustainable development

By engaging students in hands-on training, the club helps translate these values into impactful community and university-wide initiatives.

Dedicated Training on Environmental Aspects of Sustainability

One of the key areas of focus for the BAU UNESCO Club is environmental awareness and sustainability education, which aligns closely with UNESCO’s global sustainability agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development).

Key Environmental Sustainability Activities:

1. Workshops and Seminars:

• workshops on climate change, environmental ethics, and sustainable living practices.
• Sessions include topics such as waste reduction, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and eco-conscious habits.

2. Student Training & Employment:

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• BAU’s UNESCO Club employs and trains students to lead sustainability projects and awareness campaigns, enabling them to develop leadership and project management skills in real-world environmental contexts.

3. Collaborative Projects:

• Students participate in environmental clean-up campaigns, tree planting, and awareness events in collaboration with local NGOs and international organizations.
• These initiatives help bridge academic knowledge with civic responsibility and community engagement.

4. Awareness Campaigns:

• The club launches university-wide awareness drives on recycling, water conservation, and climate-friendly behavior, reinforcing sustainability culture across campus.

5. Research and Advocacy:

• It encourages interdisciplinary student research projects that address environmental challenges in Lebanon and the region, fostering a practical understanding of sustainability issues.

 Impact

Through its UNESCO Club, BAU is cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious leaders who are equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but also the skills to influence real change in their communities.

This training supports BAU’s broader mission of integrating sustainability into its educational model and reflects the university’s alignment with global development frameworks.

A Training Course for Engineers to Attain “LEED” Certificate

Beirut Arab University- Tripoli Campus in collaboration with the Engineers’ Syndicate in the North, organized a training course to qualify engineers for examinations in order to attain the “LEED” Certificate. This certificate enables the Engineers to focus on the methods to evaluate the performance of green buildings in various engineering domains in accordance with internationally acknowledged standards.

The workshop was attended by the Head of the Engineers’ Syndicate, BAU Vice-President for Tripoli Branch Affairs, Director of the Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Dr. Shadi Attiah, Assistant Professor from the University of Liège, Belgium, members of the Board of the Engineers’ Syndicate, and 78 engineers.

After the Lebanese National Anthem, Eng. Bassem Bakhach welcomed the attendees, explaining the objectives of the course and wishing everyone a successful conclusion thereof.

Prof. Khaled Baghdadi next thanked the Engineers’ Syndicate in the North for their cooperation in organizing the course. He reiterated that BAU had come to the North for three main objectives, namely to offer outstanding educational services to the students, produce knowledge through research, and render services to the community through the centers of continuous education and of consultancy. Prof. Baghdadi spoke of the LEED training course, deeming it as one of the fruits reaped from the constant cooperation between the BAU Center for Continuous Education and the Syndicate.

In his speech, Mr. Beaini listed the achievements made by the electronic syndicate, the applications of smart phones, the signing of a contract with Liban Post, and completing the various preparations needed for the training center that is due to be launched in May. Beaini further stressed on the fact that the training course is the result of collaborative work with BAU, and he thanked the University for its cooperation.

The two-day workshop was concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

Workshop entitled Green Environment Pollution Control

The Faculty of Science at BAU hosted a workshop entitled “Green Environment: Pollution Control” in collaboration with the Research Center for Environment and Development in Bekaa and sponsored by PEER/ USAID.

The workshop aimed at highlighting the latest issues related to pollution and ways to control it in order to reach a Green Environment in Lebanon. It provided a platform for leaders, innovators, researchers, and students from across the Lebanese community to exchange ideas and solutions.

The workshop speakers were Mr. Bassam Sabbagh , Head of Urban Environment Service, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Zaher Redwan, Green Hand Organization, Mr. Elie Abou Sleiman, Green Insight, Dr. Majida Mcheik, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ali Fadel, Center for Remote Sensing, CNRS-L, Ms. Nohal al Homsi, WHO representative, and Dr. Jamila Borjac, Beirut Arab University.

The workshop brought up together key environmental activists and researchers, officials involved in environment and NGO’s to highlight on pollution in Lebanon and ways to control it. Moreover, more than 20 Environmental Projects from more than 50 Makassed Schools’ Students were displayed.

Environmental Awareness Day - Forest Fire Prevention Training

The faculty of engineering represented by Dr. Bilal Taher, in collaboration with the LRI Association organized a training session on Environmental Awareness and Forest Fire Prevention. 40 students from various faculties at BAU Tripoli and 15 students from outside the university actively participated in the event.

Professional speakers from the association delivered the symposium.

A New Vocational Training Center for Electricity and Solar energy established by UNIDO at Tripoli Campus

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with generous contribution of the Government of Japan collaborated with Beirut Arab University (BAU) and The Ministry of Industry in Lebanon to establish two new vocational training centers for Electricity and Solar energy at the BAU – Tripoli campus. The project aims to create economic opportunities and jobs in the construction sector for members of the host and refugee communities –especially vulnerable women and youth –since investment in skills development and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

The project falls within UNIDO’s mandate to support Member States in achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) and within its full commitment to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project also builds on BAU’s keenness to play a leading role in the achievement of the SDGs, specifically through the representation of SDG 9 – “Industry, innovation and infrastructure”, at the global cluster of Higher Education and research for Sustainable Development (HSED).

The project focuses on delivering skills training aligned with market needs and on serving the local communities in the North of Lebanon, especially vulnerable youth & women whose enrollment in the trainings is encouraged as part of this project. Beneficiaries will learn new skills and acquire on the latest technologies and practices in the market in order to increase their chances of finding a job,

So far, two Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions were completed whereby 40 trainers benefited from enhanced skills related to Home electricity & Solar energy. Currently, the center is conducting am/ pm consecutive sessions, giving the opportunity to the interested participants to develop their skills.

The center will continue delivering training under the supervision of UNIDO. The courses will be introducing basic & advanced skills related to home electricity & solar energy installation in a modular approach.

The curricula will also focus on the health and safety practices to raise awareness regarding hazards that might occur while working on site. This is based on the most common accidents and safety problems identified in the market assessment conducted at the inception phase of the project.

The accelerated training will be followed by a soft skills session for interested trainees to help them understand the market and acquire the needed practical skills to find a job.

The trainees will also be provided with a training manual for their reference and future use, as well as a graduation kit including set of tools to support their market access. Beneficiaries will also be provided with transportation fees to compensate their travel costs and a Certificate of Accomplishment delivered by Bureau Veritas.

BAU will take the lead and keep sustaining the center through continuous training delivered to the local community in the North of Lebanon.

A Training Session conducted to BAU Students on Methods of Organic Agriculture and Food Safety

The Center of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE) at BAU in collaboration with the USAID funded Farmer-to-Farmer Food Safety and Quality program (F2F FSQ) implemented by Land O’Lakes ID, hosted a training for BAU students from the Faculty of Health Sciences on Organic Farming, rules, and production practices; In addition to compost making and its importance in agriculture.

The training session was delivered by Mr. Eric Pawlowski, an Organic Farming Specialist who conducted also a field visit with Dr. Nada El Darra , the Associate Professor of Food Safety and Technology at the Faculty of Health Sciences to the Research Center for Environment and Development at Beirut Arab University at the Bekaa Region whereby he checked the center’s facilities and production fields ,and provided suggestions for possible organic production areas and marketing options.