Outreach
In Brief
LAU and LMAC Partner on Humanitarian Mine Action Training
On July 15, LAU and the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), under the Ministry of National Defense, signed an MOU to launch professional training programs in Humanitarian Mine Action Management. Offered through the LAU Academy of Continuing Education (ACE), the courses will be delivered online and on campus, and at the Regional School for Humanitarian Demining in Lebanon (RSHDL). This collaboration aims to build local leadership in mine action, support career growth, and help protect communities from explosive remnants of war.
Introducing AI to Military Cadets
Cadets at the Lebanese Military Academy received an introductory artificial intelligence workshop from Dr. Samar Aad, assistant professor of management, focusing on core principles and their applications to national security and leadership. She was joined by Dr. Joe Tekli, assistant provost and associate professor at the School of Engineering, who offered technical insights on the evolution from static to intelligent web systems. This collaboration highlights LAU’s role in advancing innovation, social impact, and knowledge exchange with partner institutions.
LAU Students Cook for Marginalized Groups
Students of LAU’s Combined Program in Nutrition and Dietetics took part in a hands-on food service rotation hosted at La Cuisine de Mariam—a kitchen dedicated to serving marginalized groups—by preparing a Greek-themed meal for inmates at the Roumieh prison. The initiative challenged students to strengthen their skills in cooking, teamwork and time management, while also encouraging their cultural awareness and sensitivity through thoughtful, creative meal planning focused on tangible community service.
Students Repair, Renew and Donate
A drive organized by the Engineers Without Borders student club combined sustainability, volunteerism and practical skills to benefit Lebanon’s vulnerable communities. Throughout November, the LAU community on the Byblos campus donated used items such as batteries, doll houses, board games, kitchen appliances and laptops for engineering students to repair and clean up. While a few items had to be recycled, a large number of toys, electronics and appliances were donated to aid those in need.
Dr. Hussein F. Hassan Joins Scientific Reports Editorial Team
Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at LAU’s School of Arts and Sciences and Director of Academic Compliance at the Provost’s Office Hussein F. Hassan has joined the editorial team of Scientific Reports, a Q1 journal by Nature. This role complements his editorial position with Elsevier’s Q1 Applied Food Research. Dr. Hassan emphasized LAU’s commitment to “advancing scientific knowledge and fostering impactful contributions to the global scientific community.”
New Speaker Series Debuts with Talks on Displacement and Peacebuilding
The Department of Political and International Studies hosted Associate Professor Ian S. Spears from the University of Guelph and UNHCR Representative in Lebanon Ivo Freijsen in its newly launched Guest Speaker series. Through separate talks, they addressed Lebanon’s displacement crisis, the proactive role of youth, and lessons from Africa on conflict resolution. Both speakers underscored the importance of forward-thinking responses in addressing humanitarian needs and fostering peacebuilding across diverse, crisis-affected regions.
In Aid of the Displaced
On October 3, 21 students of the civic engagement class at the School of Engineering, along with their lecturer Elie Elias, participated in a three-hour community service activity with Caritas at their headquarters in Halat. The students assisted with sorting clothing donations and at the call center. On another visit to Caritas HQ, 15 students from the class spent time helping to prepare food boxes. This community service will continue on a weekly basis as long as there is a need.
LAU Partners with Colombia to Promote Mental Wellness
On August 29, LAU’s Department of Psychology and Education signed an MOU with the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia to advance initiatives in psychology that benefit the Colombian community. Through this partnership, the department will organize educational activities to raise awareness about the importance of psychology, mental health and healthy living habits, in addition to psychological counseling and emotional support sessions for Colombian nationals.
Entrepreneurs Rally for the Centennial Pitch
The LAU Fouad Makhzoumi Innovation Center held a pitch simulation on July 18 for the fourth cohort of the LAU Innovate Spark Program. This year, 30 startups were selected for a five-month incubation program supervised by the center’s leadership and industry experts out of which 20 semi-finalists pitched their ideas for feedback. On August 12, they will present their concepts to an investment committee, with 10 winning teams each receiving $10,000 to help turn their innovative ideas into viable businesses.
LAUers Take Part in GCIMUN as “Pioneers of Peace”
Over 50 LAU students and alumni volunteers stepped onto the world stage at the Global Classrooms International Model United Nations conference, this year themed “Pioneers of Peace,” which took place last month at the UN Headquarters in New York City, where they joined close to 800 delegates from around the world. The LAUers geared up for the opening ceremony just a few blocks away at the LAU New York branch campus.
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