The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand held a ceremony to award certificates of completion to trainees that have completed an intensive training on GIS in partnership with the Catalan Organization for Cooperation and Development (ACCD) within the framework of the MASAR project funded by the Madad Trust Fund of the European Union. The ceremony was held in the Al-Nahyan Auditorium and it brought together UOB Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Rami Abboud, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Sahel and Wasat al Qaytee Mr. Ahmed Almir, President of the Union of Menieh Municipalities Mr. Khaled Dehaibi, and the ACCD representative in Lebanon, Mr. Enric Ibarz.

During the ceremony, final projects were showcased for the trainees who completed the three stages during the GIS training. The training included step-by-step on how to use geographic information systems in municipal service projects for different applications including: solid waste and water management, as well as traffic safety.

In her speech, Director of the GIS Center, Dr. Amal Iaaly, praised the efforts of the trainees during this project, who showed competence and ability to pursue work in the Geographic Information Systems.

As for Mr Enric Ibarz, he expressed his gratitude to the University of Balamand for adopting and for providing the necessary support and unique expertise for this training. He hoped that the trainees, through the experience they have gained during this training, would contribute to the advancement of municipal work in their local municipalities.

In his turn, Professor Rami Abboud spoke about the importance of this occasion, which bears the character of cooperation between local administrations, international development institutions, and the University of Balamand as a leading higher education institute. He added that this cooperation stems from the strategic commitment of the University of Balamand to place its scientific, technical, and technological capabilities to serve society its needs and nurture the local development, as its foundation comes from the university's sense of its duty towards its society and its country. ​