FAFS Dean’s Office Updates is a monthly newsletter shared with FAFS faculty, students, staff, and friends to inform them about the latest activities, initiatives, and achievements of the FAFS family. Please share your department’s news and any suggestions with fafs_com@aub.edu.lb

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus visits FAFS FAFS hosted Nobel Peace Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and civil society leader who accomplished pioneering work in microcredit and microfinance that culminated in the founding of the Grameen Bank. A dinner honoring Professor Yunus included AUB and FAFS administrators, prominent FAFS friends, and supporters. Professor Yunus gave the keynote address at the ceremony inaugurating the Raji & Fawzieh Sinno Promising Leader in Agriculture Award. He spoke of the success of Grameen Bank, the possibilities of emulating the model of microfinance to alleviate poverty worldwide, and the importance of entrepreneurship in finding sustainable and accessible solutions to the day-to-day challenges of development. AUB administrators and FAFS faculty had the opportunity to interact with Professor Yunus. A press conference and video interview took place.

The Raji & Fawzieh Sinno Promising Leader in Agriculture Award ceremony The award, established in 2017, aims at enhancing the visibility of the agricultural sector in Lebanon and raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities of the sector. The annual competition is open to grade 12 students from all Lebanese schools. Students must identify a challenge in the agricultural sector and propose an environmentally friendly solution that will help small farmers with limited resources. During the Raji & Fawzieh Sinno Promising Leader in Agriculture Award ceremony, ten innovative student projects were selected as finalists; these students presented their ideas to the jury, who selected the 3 best projects for financial prizes. READ MORE

Dr. Virender Sharma Visit Dr. Virender Sharma, Professor at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health (SPH), Texas A&M University, was jointly hosted by FAFS & FHS for a 3-day visit. Dean Mohtar, Dr. Sharma, and FHS public health administrators explored a potential partnership between AUB and the School of Public Health at Texas A&M. The partnership would focus on water safety, water treatment, and the impact of nanoparticles, which are commonly available in products used daily and persist in the environment. Stay tuned for developing follow-up plans about this new collaboration. READ MORE

LDEM Reviewers visit As part of the requirements of the New York State of Education Department (NYSED) for full program registration LDEM engaged in a review of its undergraduate program in Landscape Architecture (BLA). The academic review, led by LDEM Associate Professor Yaser Abunnasr, was conducted in late April and early May. The two international external reviewers expressed very positive feedback regarding the report and the site visit. READ MORE

AUB in Amman to discuss opportunities & synergies in water, human resources, food, and agriculture AUB President Fadlo Khuri and FAFS Dean Rabi Mohtar visited Amman, Jordan on April 17-18 to discuss fostering cooperation between AUB and Jordanian institutions. The visit, hosted and organized by H.E. Ambassador Tracy Chamoun, consisted of several fruitful meetings with notable personalities, including: H.R.H. Prince Hassan Bin Talal (exploring synergies between FAFS and key centers at the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), such as the WANA Institute and ESCWA Technology Center), Dr. Omar El-Razzaz, Jordanian Minister of Education and AUB alumnus, and Dr. Khaled Huneifat, Jordanian Minister of Agriculture. READ MORE

TAMU-AUB capstone team wins 1st place in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Capstone Event Texas A&M seniors, Haylee Thompson, Alexandra Balcom and Ricardo Caballero, were co-supervised by A&M’s Dr. Anish Jantrania, and the AUB-FAFs team, consisting of Dr. Rabih Shibli (CCECS), Dr. Hadi Jaafar (FAFS), and Dr. Majdi Abou Najm (MSFEA) in a project that placed first in Texas A&M’s annual Capstone Event. Fifteen student teams presented their final projects as part of their degree requirements; the AUB-TAMU team focused on sustainability and used only alternative energies to treat wastewater to a quality safe for use in irrigating urban gardens. The project designed a roof-top

urban garden system that uses drip tape irrigation and solar power to treat 30,000 gallons of water daily to a level “safe for human interaction”. READ MORE

FAFS AUB Alumni Abu Dhabi Gala Dinner The Abu Dhabi Chapter of AUB Alumni hosted its annual gala dinner on May 10, with a focus on the theme of agriculture. Over 500 AUB alumni and friends attended the dinner at which H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, keynote speaker, emphasized the importance of the AUB alumni to the region’s development. FAFS Dean, Rabi H. Mohtar, representing AUB, spoke of AUB’s vision for water, energy, food, and health security. The Dean also highlighted some of the new programs that FAFS is introducing. During his visit, Dean Mohtar met with H.H. Sheikh Nahyan at his majlis. He also met with the ambassador of Lebanon to UAE H.E. Fouad Chehab Dandan, and the New York University Dean of Engineering in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Samer Madanat. Dean Mohtar discussed opportunities for science, education, and development partnerships between AUB and the UAE in his meetings. Download the FAFS Abu Dhabi Alumni Chapter Book. READ MORE

WEFRAH Initiative and AREC A workshop launching WEFRAH as a pilot research activity that will take place in Fall 2018, with the goal of acquainting faculty members with WEFRAH’s relevant multidisciplinary expertise across campus and building on WEFRAH’s accomplishments to date, particularly in the research domain. A business plan for the pilot and for the long-term sustainability of WEFRAH will be developed. Given the natural synergies between the WEFRAH and AREC master plan activities, the AUB AREC Taskforce (AAT) mandate was expanded to include WEFRAH’s activities. For more information, please visit WEFRAH website.

FAFS External Advisory Board (EAB) The first EAB meeting took place on April 23, 2018. The FAFS EAB members are Dr. Lamya Tannous Khuri, Mr. Michel Bayoud, Mr. Khaled Miqdadi, Mr. Nabil De Freij, Mr. Raphael Debbane, Mr. Khaled Sinno, Dr. Khalil Melki, and Mr. Musa Freiji. The agenda included a discussion of the opportunities to develop a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Texas A&M University (TAMU), the University of Southern California (USC), Purdue University, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The meeting included the election of Mr. Khaled Sinno, founder and CEO of Karma Lebanon and Mr. Michel Bayoud, CEO of Boecker World Holding Inc., as the incoming

Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively, of the FAFS EAB. A new action plan charting the course of action for the coming year was discussed and will be prepared.

6th Mediterranean Poultry Summit (MPS) Chaired by Dean Emeritus Nuhad Daghir Dean Emeritus Nuhad Daghir will chair the 6th Mediterranean Poultry Summit (MPS), in Torino, Italy. The summit is planned for June 18-20, 2018, at the University of Torino, one of Europe’s oldest universities. MPS operates under the umbrella of the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) and promotes poultry science activities in the Mediterranean region. Dean Daghir will be one of six keynote speakers. FAFS graduates from several countries are recognized as experts in the field and will present more than 5 papers and chair two the scientific sessions at the Summit. READ MORE

ENEPLAN: Developing skills in the field of integrated Energy Planning in MED landscapes Ten AUB students, two from landscape architecture (LDEM), participated in an Erasmus+ project workshop: ENEPLAN – Energy Efficient Process Planning system, in Amman, Jordan. The workshop (February, 18-28, 2018) focused on academic capacity building in integrated energy planning and using C-MAPS as tools for integrative thinking and knowledge building. AUB students (from landscape architecture, energy studies, civil engineering, and urban design and planning) prepared a multidisciplinary presentation summarizing their experience, projects, and trip. AUB will host the project’s final conference in September. READ MORE

Nestlé Ajyal Salima program: a Benchmark for Worldwide Programs promoting Healthy Eating & Exercise among schoolchildren The Nestlé Healthy Kids-Ajyal Salima program recognized the FAFS Nutrition Department for its contributions in setting benchmarks for global programs promoting healthy eating and physical activity among schoolchildren. The award from Cuprifere Consult, an independent international entity that assessed the implementation of Nestle Healthy Kids programs around the world, lauded the step-by-step partnership approach of AUB, the Ministry of Education, and Nestle Middle East and the program’s teacher training as exemplary for other Healthy Kids programs worldwide. READ MORE

FAFS team succeeds at the Agrytech Hackathon A team of AUB students are among the top 10 finalists in the Agrytech Hackathon, held April 20-22 at the Berytech campus in Mkalles. Three FAFS undergraduate students, Natalia El Hariri (Agribusiness), Reem El Tayech (Agribusiness), and Mohammad Hassan (Computer Science) presented their project. “Agribridge” is a web-and-app-based business that will link agricultural producers with input suppliers and purchasers. READ MORE

Lara Chaaban, Nutrition & Dietetics, 2018 recipient of the Ibrahim and Loulu Durr Endowed MRVP Award The Medial Research Volunteer Program (MRVP) committee announced the 2018 winner of the ‘Ibrahim and Loulu Durr Endowed Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP) Award.’ Ms. Lara Chaaban (Nutrition & Dietetics) was recognized for her outstanding medical research capabilities, dedication, passion, accomplishments and outstanding achievements with Dr. Ahmed Fawzi El-Yazbi, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and member of the Committee. Dr. Ammar Olabi, FAFS Associate Dean, presented the award during the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) Open House Event on May 4, 2018. READ MORE

Nutrition and Dietetics students accepted to AUB Medical School Six students from the FAFS Nutrition and Dietetics program were accepted to the medical school at AUB. Congratulations to Lynn Hajjar, Natasha Ard, Reem Bahsoun, Lara Chaaban, Haroutian Aram Garabedian, and Nancy Safwan.

AUB & FAFS students & professor receive the LIRA Award FAFS students Roya Mourad and Fatima Yahfoufi, and MSFEA student Haytham Dbouk, all supervised by FAFS Professor Mohamad T. Farran, won a funding award from the Lebanese Central Bank, for their project Solar Heated Poultry Houses during the LIRA Fund Award ceremony held at Le Royal Hotel, Dbayeh on May 15. The students will use this award to implement their project. READ MORE

Nomination for the FAFS Distinguished Alumni Award The FAFS Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2002 on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the FAFS, is the highest honor given to an alumnus by the FAFS Agriculture Chapter of the Alumni Association and in cooperation with the Faculty. Nationally and/or internationally recognized alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession or life’s work and have distinguished themselves in academia, public or private sectors, or international organizations are eligible for the award. Candidates should be nominated by a FAFS graduate and the nomination should be sent by a formal letter

/ email along with the CV of the candidate and three letters of support by people familiar with his/her work to the President of the Chapter on fafschapter@waaaub.org. All FAFS alumni will receive letters of solicitation; nominations must be received by June 15, 2018, to be considered. Recipients will be honored in a ceremony on October 4, 2018. READ MORE

AANA in Agribusiness Prizes Event The fourth annual ceremony for the Aana Prizes in Agribusiness took place on May 3, 2018 at FAFS. The prize recognizes outstanding achievement by agribusiness students in areas of innovation and benefit to the community. Five student teams competed as part of their agribusiness final year project, presenting posters in the FAFS courtyard. READ MORE

Honey Day The Apiculture course (AGSC 219), at the Department of Agriculture, held the much anticipated annual Honey Day event on National Bee Day on May 2, 2018. The event united communities and families, harnessing efforts to convey the importance of sustaining bees for the benefit of everyone’s life cycle and the ecosystem. Visitors were invited to participate in a honey tasting and an awareness campaign about the vital role of honeybees to the food chain. Additional activities included trivia, darts, and other games. All proceeds will be used to support the living beehives at FAFS’ Honeybee Lab. READ MORE

Souk Aal Souk The Environment & Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) organized its final Souk Aal Souk Farmers' Market for the academic year on Thursday May 3, 2018. Around 20 producers from across Lebanon presented a variety of fresh, traditional and local products.

FAFS Lectures series and Seminars

May 29 - The Yarmouk tributary of the Jordan River: shining a light for conflict transformation – Professor Mark Zeitoun, Water Security Expert at the School of International Development, University of East Anglia.

May 28 - The UN 2030 Agenda and the Role of the Private Sector in Lebanon – Dr. Dima Jamali, Professor of Management, Kamal Shair Endowed Chair in Responsible Leadership, National Representative, Global Compact Network Lebanon, Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut.

May 22 - Ferrates: Emerging Advanced Materials in Biomedical, Environmental, Energy, and Industrial Applications – Professor Virender K. Sharma, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, USA, Director of the Program of Environment and Sustainability, SPH. FAFS joint lecture with FHS. READ MORE

May 21 - Natural Noble Metal Nanoparticles: Formation, Stabilization, and Toxicity in Aquatic Environment – Professor Virender K. Sharma, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, TX, USA, Director of the Program of Environment and Sustainability, SPH. FAFS joint lecture with FHS. READ MORE

May 14 - Interdisciplinary Learning via Real World Problems: The Agonies and Ecstasies of the UMass iCons Program – Professor Scott Auerbach, Physical and Computational Chemistry, U Massachusetts, Amherst. READ MORE

May 12 - Nudge Conference: Behavioral Economics and Nudge in the Arab Region: Lessons Learned & Challenges Ahead – Seminar on Behavioral Economics and Nudge in the Arab Region: Lessons Learned & Challenges Ahead; Dean Mohtar participated in session on Applying Behavioral Insights to Health and the Environment at AUB, Issam Fares Institute. READ MORE

May 4 & 5 - Inclusive economic growth: a fairy tale for the rural poor in the MENA region – Dr. Shady Hamadeh presented an invited lecture at the International Conference on Fostering Economic Inclusiveness in the Arab World, organized by the Arab Centre for Scientific Research and Humane Studies, Marrakech, Morocco. READ MORE

May 3 - Novel Urban Ecosystems: New Nature(s) for the Anthropocene – Professor Jack Ahern, landscape architecture and urban planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. READ MORE

May 2 - Integrating Sustainability Principles and Practice in the Curriculum – FAFS Dean Rabi Mohtar, delivered a session at the Lebanese University (LU). READ MORE

April 26 - Forest and Water Urbanisms to Address Climate Change – Professor Susan Kelly Shannon urbanism at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering at KU Leuven. READ MORE

April 24 - The Renewable Readiness Plan and the Role of Renewable Energy in Water and Food Security in Mena – FAFS Dean Mohtar presented a lecture at a seminar and panel on Energy Transition organized by The Energy Studies Program and the Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources.

April 23 - Food Security in the Middle East: Role of the Private Sector – Dr. Turki Al Rasheed, Founder and Chairman of Golden Grass, Inc and TFIC. READ MORE

April 21 - Symposium on Eating Disorders – NFSC, in collaboration with the 49th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA). READ MORE

April 18-20 - Lectures and roundtable discussions on Food Security – Professor Patrick Caron, Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD). Nutrition and Food Systems / Guiding food Security and Nutrition Policy: the role of HLPE Steering Committee / Youth, Food Security, and the HLPE / Research Collaboration and Exchange with CIRAD - Montpellier. READ MORE

April 5 - Drought History from Tree Rings in the Mediterranean Region – Dr. Ramzi Touchan, Professor of Watershed Management and Ecohydrology at the University of Arizona and specialist in Tree-Ring Research. READ MORE

March 26 - The Commons, Aesthetics, and Civil Society: Dimensions of Landscape, Food, and the Built Environment – Professor Timothy Waterman, Greenwich University, UK. Organized by the Lebanese Landscape Association (LELA) and LDEM. READ MORE

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