A delegation from the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) at the University of Balamand (UOB), led by Professor Rami Abboud (Vice President (VP) for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering), has actively participated in the kick-off meeting of the MAGNO project, titled "Conquering New Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Packaging Pollution."
The FOE delegation included 2 active members of the MAGNO project Dr. Jean Claude Assaf and Ms. Mantoura Nakad, who had contributed to discussions and deliberations during this significant event, that was held on February 6th and 7th, 2024 in Sevilla, Spain.
As the exclusive Lebanese partner in the MAGNO project, the University of Balamand has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability. With generous funding from the European Research Executive Agency (EREA) under the Research and Innovation Horizon Europe Program H2023, totaling €3,999,963.75 over 42 months starting from January 1, 2024, the University is poised to make significant contributions to this groundbreaking initiative.
During the meeting, Professor Rami Abboud delivered an insightful presentation, showcasing the University of Balamand's rich history and highlighting its core areas of work and ongoing research projects. Additionally, he described the roles and responsibilities undertaken by FOE within the MAGNO project, introducing the key researchers involved in the project.
In his turn, Dr. Wael Hamd, serving as the Project Lead and Manager of MAGNO at UOB and leading Work Package 4, had the chance to virtually deliver a comprehensive summary of the work package. His remote presentation outlined task descriptions, short-term deliverables, milestones, risk evaluation, as well as the next steps and actions.
The fruitful discussions between the FOE delegation and other project partners during the two-day meeting have laid a strong foundation for future collaboration, reflecting UOB's dedication to addressing global challenges. The next meeting of MAGNO is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2024, in Freising, Germany, hosted by the Fraunhofer IVV company.
In appreciation of the FOE delegation's contributions, Professor Rami Abboud expressed gratitude to all participants for their valuable insights and commitment to the MAGNO project's success. He emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts in driving meaningful change and looks forward to continued partnership and progress in combating packaging pollution.
Professor Abboud emphasizes the vital role of sustainability in guiding the project's objectives, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies to promote environmental stewardship and reduce the impact of packaging waste on our planet (SDGs 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing), 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
