News Highlights
Author:
Dina Abou Salem,
Web Editor,
Office of Information and Public Relations,
da09@aub.edu.lb
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AUB and the National Council for Scientific Research launch 3 Associated Research Units
The American University of Beirut and the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed on Tuesday January 13, 2009 an agreement launching three-year collaboration between the two institutions whereby CNRS will establish three Association Research Units (ARU) - connecting the council with AUB in the specific research domains of air quality, water quality, and nutrition.
The ARU program entails supporting an integrated research project revolving around specific research with a team of at least 2-3 principal investigators from more than one university. ARUs are created annually following a call for proposals and a competitive selection process based on the outstanding scientific performance of the members of the team within the past five years, the expected outcome, the ability of researchers to attract foreign funding and support as well as their readiness to sponsor graduate and postgraduate fellows within the ARU. The CNRS annual contribution will reach up to $50,000 per annum for a period of 3 years. |
 | (L-R): Dorman, Tohme, and Hamze
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Present at the ceremony, which was held at the Senate Room of Marquand House, were AUB academic deans, faculty, and representatives from CNRS including Dr. Mouin Hamze, secretary general of CNRS, and Professor Georges Tohme president of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research who, at the end of the signature session, presented President Dorman with a medal of honor from CNRS.
"AUB is delighted to be able to engage with CNRS and Dr. Tohme in a number of projects...and this occasion is recognition of the value of scientific involvement at AUB and an expression of hope for future cooperation with CNRS," said President Dorman. |
Similarly, Dr. Tohme reiterated the importance of this agreement which is ultimately aimed for the "greater good and public welfare," he said.
Before the signature of the agreement, Dr. Hamze surveyed the inception of the idea of the ARUs and said that in 2006, the new National Science and Technology Policy was launched by CNRS under the auspices of HE Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and UNESCO Director General Mr. Kiochiro Matsura. One of the recommendations of the National Science and Technology Policy, in the absence of sufficient financial resources available to the CNRS, was the creation of centers of excellence according to priorities defined by the Policy. These Associated Research Units were designed to associate CNRS financial and human resources with leading universities in specific research domains. |
"This program represents an ideal way to move forward by encouraging and supporting the capabilities of academic research institutions in the country," said Dr. Hamze. "When we first thought of this program, we did not expect to receive a large number of proposals, given the innovative approach adopted by the CNRS. Surprisingly enough, our first ARU call for proposals attracted 10 projects from several renowned universities in Lebanon of which the CNRS has, at this early stage, agreed to adopt and finance three ARUs," he added.
The first unit aims at researching the quality of air in Lebanon and is implemented in cooperation with the American University of Beirut and Universite Saint Joseph, while the second addresses the "Quality and Management of Water Resources in Lebanon" in cooperation with the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University, and the third addresses malnutrition and obesity in Lebanon and involves the American University of Beirut, Universite Saint Joseph, and Universite Saint-Esprit, Kaslik (USEK). |
 | L-R: Dr. Abdul-Hamid Hallab, Tohme, Dorman (carrying the medal of honor), and Hamze
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The main goal of the first ARU is to monitor the quality of air and determine the percentage and nature of poisonous gases within the region of Greater Beirut and list the problems which have to be solved in order to improve air quality. Seven researchers are involved in this ARU: AUB professor of chemistry Najat Saliba and AUB professor of mechanical engineering Alan Shehadeh; as well as Dr. Wehbe Farah, Dr. Maher Abboud, Dr. Jocelyne Gerard, Dr. Nada Saliba, and Dr. Rita Zaarour from UniversitC) Saint Joseph. The CNRS will support this unit with $50,000 per annum for a period of three years.
As for the second ARU, its objective is to improve the quality of water and ensure a sustainable management of Lebanon's water resources. Three researchers from AUB including professor of environmental health May Jurdi, professor of environmental health May Massoud, and professor of medical lab technology Sami Ramia; as well as Dr. Samira Korfali from the Lebanese American University are involved in this unit. The CNRS contribution to this unit will amount to $40,000 annually for a period of three years. |
The objective of the third ARU is to enhance the nutritional well-being and health of children and adults in Lebanon. The main investigator from AUB is Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Nahla Hwalla, in partnership with Dr. Dolla Sarkis from Université Saint Joseph and Dr. Ziad Harb from Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik. The CNRS will support this unit with $50,000 annually for a period of 3 years.
Signing the agreement on the AUB side were President Peter Dorman and AUB faculty members respective to each of the units; and on the CNRS side, Dr. Mouin Hamze and Professor Georges Tohme. |
Established in 1962, the National Council for Scientific Research is a public institution assigned with the task of formulating national science and technology policy, initiating, guiding, supporting and conducting scientific research programs and activities in Lebanon.
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