Students from the Faculty of Engineering, Issam Fares Faculty of Technology, and Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Balamand (UOB) have demonstrated remarkable talent and innovation in the LIRA program 2024. Chosen from many initiatives, their projects explore a wide range of sustainable technologies and advancements in agriculture and food science.

The Faculty of Engineering has excelled in sustainable technology with two projects. The first project, led by Dr. Makram El Bachawati and involving chemical engineering students Daniel Nasr, Mabelle Wehbe, Jason Kazzi, Ralph Dgheim, and Nour Al Sarraf, focuses on eco-friendly fertilizer production from organic waste using clean energy. The second project, supervised by Dr. Jean Claude Assaf and Mrs. Mantoura Nakad with student Pauline Zaatar, delves into advanced technologies for enhanced agricultural practices.

The Issam Fares Faculty of Technology showcased projects in smart agriculture, with Dr. Rodrigue Balaa overseeing initiatives like the Smart Nursery led by student Hussein Mohamad. Similarly, under the supervision of Dr. Ibrahim Chambour, student Maria Kfrouni led initiatives such as the Smart Bee project. The IFFT's goal is to tackle critical areas of sustainable development such as eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting gender equality, and encouraging responsible consumption.

Under the guidance of Dr. Dima Mnayar at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Maria Al Zoghbi, a Master's student in Food Science and Technology, focused in her initiative on "Healthy Gluten-Free Bread." Her extensive research involves conducting trials, creating formulations, performing baking tests, and conducting thorough analyses, all aimed at enhancing healthier food choices.

The participation and achievements of these students underscore the commitment UOB and faculty members to foster innovation and address pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research.





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