The working groups at NDU aim to raise sustainability awareness within the University and beyond the University gates, and work closely with a host of partners as well as the larger community to ensure that building a better tomorrow goes beyond ink on paper.
Working Group I: Waste Management
Members
Omar Sakr (Lead); Andre Fahed; Mr. Bassam Daher; Rita el Aam; Leila Khalaf Keirouz; Patricia Eid
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area I (Waste Management) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Developing the scope and approaches for a comprehensive, university-wide, life-cycle materials management
- Deviating the waste from landfills
- Developing a waste reduction policy
- Processing the biodegradable waste
- Promoting a sustainable food system
- Minimizing the generation of hazardous waste when possible
- Developing a complete strategy for storage, collection and disposal of hazardous waste
- Developing an integrated plan for management of e-waste
- Supporting and enhancing reuse programs
- Evaluating current status of wastewater treatment in all campuses
- Ensuring adequate wastewater treatment and/or discharge
- Reusing the treated water
- Managing the bio-solids properly
Working Group II: Water Conservation
Members
Pauline Aad (Lead); Maya Atieh; Jacques Harb
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area II (Water Conservation) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Evaluating water usage on campuses
- Reducing water consumption
- Reducing landscaping water use
- Diversifying the sources of fresh water
Working Group III: Energy
Members
Salim Iskandar (Lead); Ghassan Kraidy; Fakherdine Keyrouz; Mariette Hazoury
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area III (Carbon Footprint Reduction) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Establishing a monitoring system for emissions of Greenhouse Gases
- Reducing energy requirements
- Improving energy conservation
- Switching to cleaner renewable types of energy
Working Group IV: Land Use & Ecosystems
Members
Maher Ghostine (Lead); Tanos Hage; Carole Assaf
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area IV (Land use and ecosystem preservation) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Increasing green areas
- Adopting an Integrated Pest Management approach, which allows prevention, monitoring and control with a limited need for pesticides
- Optimizing water consumption
- Improving resource conservation
Working Group V: Sustainable Procurement
Members
Omar Sakr (Lead); Edy Lteif; Nada Maalouf
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area V (Sustainable Procurement) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Developing a sustainable supply chain system and establishing a management system
- Consulting with and assessing NDU suppliers and help them meet NDU sustainability goals
- Favoring products with lower life cycle impacts
- Favoring local sources and services, wherever possible, to encourage local business and cut down on the need for transportation and distribution
- Buying bulk to reduce the amount of packaging
Working Group VI: Transportation
Members
Dr. Dima Jawad (Lead), FE; Dr. Christine Mady, RC-FAAD; Mr. Elie Najem, Assistant Director, General Services; Mrs. Carol Habchi, Campus Services Office
This working group leads NDU’s initiatives toward:
- Offsetting transportation related emissions
- Improving the overall sustainability of transportation-related policies and programs
- Enhancing pedestrian and biking policies on campus
Working Group VII: Annual Conference
Members
Emma Chacar (Lead); Majed Bou Hadir; Omar Sakr; Sophia Ghanimeh; Pauline Aad; Lara Khabbaz
This working group prepares for the yearly conference of NDU Environmental Sustainability Task Force.
It is an essential component of the communication and outreach activities of the Task Force. Those focus on:
- Turning NDU into a benchmark for environmentally sustainable institutions
- Educating the community through engagement opportunities with student, staff and faculty members
- Providing training and tools for assessment of environmental parameters
- Creating focused programs and competitions
- Providing incentives and rewards
Working Group VIII: Monitoring & Reporting
Members
Lara Khabbaz (Lead); Remi Hage; Doris Jaalouk; Theresa Hajjar; Maria Tawk Massaad
This working group assists the other WGs in assessing their performance by monitoring KPIs, analyzing the data and reviewing the adopted methods. It also compiles the data and develop semester and annual reports.
It works toward achieving the goals set under Focus Area VII (Monitoring and Review) of NDU Environmental Sustainability Action Plan:
- Defining Key Performance Indicators
- Submitting bi-annual reports to the President of NDU
- Publishing an annual Environmental Sustainability Report online showing our objectives, methods, and progress
- Benchmarking NDU’s performance against peer institutions
- Reviewing the action plan every two years and incorporating emerging challenges and opportunities
Working Group IX: Green School Certification
Members
Esther Ghanem (Lead); Amal Malek; Patricia Eid; Sophia Ghanimeh
This working group leads NDU’s Green School Certification initiative and has the following objectives:
- Join forces with EcoSolutions to engage local schools in greening their environment
- Underpin the role of NDU in spreading environmental literacy
- Identify key areas to train schools towards green sustainability outcomes
- Empower students and staff to execute environmental projects using STEM skills
- Qualify Green School Certificates