In a long context of sturdy cooperation between the University of Balamand and the Lebanese Army, especially the Air Force, the University of Balamand announced the signing of an exclusive memorandum of cooperation with the Air Force on Thursday, October 7, 2021, during a visit by the Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier General Pilot Ziad Haikal and a delegation which included Colonel Roland Merheb, Colonel Hassan Baraka, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Lubani, and Major Rabih Doughan.

The delegation was welcomed by the President of the University, Dr. Elias Warrak, accompanied by the Vice President for Internationalization & Engagement, and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Rami Abboud, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Dr. Salim Kanaan, Chief Operating Officer Dr. Youssef Bassim, Chairperson of the Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Department, Dr. Haissam Haidar, and the Consultant to the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering for Air Force affairs, Brigadier General Retired Pilot Ziad Ibrahim.

The exclusive agreement entails an academic cooperation protocol that allows Air Force cadets and technicians to pursue their specializations at the university and facilities for the Lebanese Air Force in active service and their families, retirees and their families and the families of martyred soldiers. The agreement also paves the way for more joint advanced projects and research in the field of Aeronautical Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Technology.

Dr. Warrak assured that this agreement is a natural result of a long history of fruitful, distinguished, and close cooperation between the University of Balamand and the Air Force, which culminated in several successes. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the Air Force and the university, as the latter hosts an Aeronautical Engineering program that is unique to Balamand at the national and regional levels.

For his part, Brigadier General Haikal expressed his appreciation to the University of Balamand, thanking the initiative, stressing that educational attainment is an essential component of the distinction and development of military and officers on the personal and professional levels. It should be noted that the University of Balamand works closely with the Lebanese Air Force to preserve and advance a history of cooperation dating back to 2012. This collaboration has resulted in several joint initiatives in the design, building, and maintenance of aircrafts and the training of aeronautical engineers and maintenance technologists from both sides.