Who We Are
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) was established in 1952 on AUB’s main campus in Beirut and was modeled on the US land-grant college system. It owns and operates a 100-hectare research and outreach center located 80 kilometers east of Beirut in the Beqaa Valley which was known as the Agricultural Research and Education Center, and was later renamed as the Advancing Research Enabling Communities Center (AREC). FAFS has transformed its position from the land-grant model to a leading faculty that aspires to foster the sustainable enhancement of the health and well-being of people and nature throughout Lebanon and the region.
FAFS is committed to promote and disseminate knowledge through higher education, research, and outreach in food and agriculture, nutrition and dietetics, public health nutrition, agribusiness, landscape architecture, environment and natural resource management, and community and rural development as well as food safety and food security. These fields serve as a basis for improving the livelihoods and well-being of people in Lebanon, the Middle East, and the world. FAFS trains highly educated and motivated individuals whose professional performance consistently illustrates AUB's commitment to outreach to underserved communities.
FAFS' diverse strengths across multiple disciplines have positioned it as a regional center of excellence that integrates education, research, and outreach activities and develops leaders to address the global challenges of the 21st century.
Today, FAFS is home to Departments of Agriculture, Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management, and Nutrition and Food Sciences as well as two multidisciplinary centers: the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU); and the Advancing Research Enabling Communities Center (AREC). In addition, FAFS initiated the establishment of the interfaculty Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures (NCC) as an open, innovative and collaborative platform that promotes conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for the purpose of enhancing the well-being of people and nature.
FAFS’ academic programs and curricula set the standard for colleges in Lebanon and many countries in the MENA region. The following achievements have rightfully established the FAFS as a faculty of firsts.
Mission
Through research, education and community engagement, FAFS inspires minds, fosters enhanced food and nutrition security and promotes sustainable environment, water, livelihoods, and food systems in Lebanon, the region and beyond.
Vision
FAFS, is the global hub for the nexus of water, food, energy, and health in the Mediterranean and dryland regions.
FAFS’ vision builds on three pillars
- Food Systems
- Resilient Environment
- Nutrition for Health
We address 4 Global Challenges
- Climate change
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Conflicts and emergencies
- Diet-related chronic diseases
Core Values
- Integrity and shared governance
- Diversity and equity
- Interdisciplinarity
- Excellence and productivity in education, research and outreach
- Community engagement, Resilience and impact
- Commitment to an environment of mutual respect
Accreditation
The Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (NDCP) at the Nutrition and Food Sciences Department has been granted accreditation status by the
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 (312) 899-0040 ext 5400.
http://www.eatright.org/ACEND.
This accreditation allows students, who successfully complete the NDCP, to be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) examination for dietitians in the United States in order to obtain the Registered Dietitian (RD) status.
The NDCP received its first accreditation in 2013 and was granted full re-accreditation in 2017.
In September 2021, the Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management at FAFS secured accreditation of its Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program from the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB), which is the academic arm of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). FAFS' BLA program is the first and only such program to secure LAAB accreditation outside the USA, worldwide.
This accreditation is for the maximum allowable duration of 6 years, and will be renewed subject to another review in 2027.
External Advisory Board (EAB) Members
The External Advisory Board (EAB) is a vital pillar for the excellence of FAFS. Our elite members are distinguished men and women, who are experts from different professional and academic backgrounds keen at enriching the discussion at FAFS. They advise on the faculty’s strategic plan, activities, new initiatives, and assist with potential job opportunities and internships for our students.
Board members provide their perspectives which improve the learning goals of the faculty’s academic programs and make them more responsive to market needs. They also offer their insights on the research advancement at the faculty. Furthermore, board members assist FAFS in exploring new fundraising opportunities.
The board focuses on maintaining and further strengthening FAFS’ leadership in Lebanon and the region to position the faculty to meet local and regional challenges.
Mr. Michel Bayoud EAB Chairperson Founder of Boecker World Holding Group
| Mrs. Nadine El Khoury
EAB Vice-ChairpersonChief Operating Officer (COO)
Robinson, Agri
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Mr. Ramy BoujawdehDeputy General Manager of Berytech Program Director of Agrytech
| Mr. Pierre Issa
Former COO and co-founder of Arcenciel
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| Dr. Khalil Melki Partner, General Manager and Head of Business Management Unifert Company, SAL
| Mr. Salah SalibaPrivate sector engagement team lead Lebanon Water Project (LWP) USAID contractor
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Mr. Nabil De FreijEx-Member of the Lebanese Parliament
Chairman of The National Trade & Industry & Economy Planning Committee
| Dr. Lamya Tannous Khuri Professor of Nutrition
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