At a time when discussions surrounding the future of Chemical Engineering are on the rise, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) hosted the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Regional Conference (SRC) for the first time in Lebanon on May 30 and 31, with the participation of six Lebanese universities. The conference was held in the presence of NDU President Father Bechara Khoury; Bashir Bajak, Vice President of Specialties and Key Accounts at Total Energies Lebanon; Deenah Fakhoury, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in Lebanon; Prof. Dr. Walter Eevers, Director of Research and Valorization at VITO and Chairman of Energyvill; Ronnie Hammad, Senior Consultant at Siren Associates; Dr. Michel El Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA); Dr. Jacques Harb, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (FE); Dr. Dany Samaha, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLPS), in addition to faculty members.
The event began with a welcome speech delivered by Christina Chalhoub, student at the Faculty of Engineering, in which she said: “This conference, which is being held for the first time in Lebanon, provides a platform for students to participate in professional development activities, including competitions, panel discussions, and networking sessions with industry professionals. This event enhances academic skills and encourages collaboration and innovation among future engineers.”
Following Chalhoub’s speech, NDU President Fr. Khoury delivered an address, conveying the following: “I am honored to stand before you all today, addressing you at the 2024 Student Regional Conference hosted by AIChE Global, an event that has become an essential one in our academic calendar. I am also pleased to announce that our University is making history as we are proud to host the Regional Student Conference for the first time in Lebanon. This is a moment of great importance not only for our institution but for our country as well. Despite the economic crisis and security issues, Lebanon’s rich history, vibrant culture, and unwavering spirit of resilience make it an ideal location for this event.”
The Father President then took a moment to appreciate the remarkable efforts and achievements of the AIChE-NDU Student Chapter. As Fr. Khoury remarked, ever since its establishment in 2019, the AIChE’s students have shown unwavering dedication, and their commitment to excellence has earned them prestigious positions in the global AIChE. Fr. Khoury also called on everyone to seize this wonderful opportunity and immerse themselves in the knowledge and experiences that await them.
After Fr. Khoury’s address, Dr. Jacques Harb proceeded to thank the students present. “To our students, thank you for making the effort to be here with us today. Your presence here demonstrates your dedication to advancing chemical engineering and your commitment to professional development,” he stated.
Dr. Harb then added that a unique opportunity for the University was represented by this conference. Acknowledging it being the first time that this prestigious regional event was being hosted in Lebanon, he considered it an honor and noted that it reflected the strength of the chemical engineering program at the University and the enthusiasm of its students. He additionally encouraged everyone to make the most of the experience. Participants were urged to actively engage, ask thoughtful questions, and take full advantage of everything the conference had to offer. As Dr. Harb maintained, the knowledge and relationships gained would be invaluable in their future journeys as leaders in the field of chemical engineering.
In turn, Dr. Elias Feghali, Associate Professor and coordinator of the chemical and petroleum engineering programs at NDU, recalled recent accomplishments done by the American Society of Chemical Engineers (ASCE). He stated that in 2023, its first national meeting was hosted, which was a prominent event that brought together Student Chapters from all over Lebanon. This pioneering meeting was described as a platform for fruitful discussions and exchange sessions aimed at advancing the field of chemical engineering, with a focus on enhancing cooperation and participation. Resources facilitated the identification of opportunities for joint initiatives and mutual support between Chapters, which were said to have strengthened ties within the chemical engineering community in Lebanon.”
Dr. Feghali also added, “Our main goal for this year is to organize the regional conference of the ASCE in the Middle East in Lebanon for the first time ever. After putting a lot of effort into discussions and negotiations, we were able to secure support and funding for this unprecedented event.”
He concluded by saying: “We do not consider this event an achievement for the Student Chapter at NDU only, but rather it is a great achievement for all chemical engineers in Lebanon.”
As for the second day of the event, a panel discussion centered around the challenges and innovation in the Lebanese industry took place. Including the interventions of guest speakers Doris Hajj, Rabih Osta, Michel Kamel, Lina Assi, and Pierre Baaklini, the panel involved discussions about emerging technological trends, regulatory hurdles, and strategies for fostering innovation and growth within Lebanon's industrial sector.
The consecutive panel further delved into the critical theme of sustainability within the Lebanese industry, with active participation from Dr. Hassan Younes, Carla Saba, Zeina Mouallem, Gilbert Khoury, and Serena Ibrahim. The discussion introduced innovative strategies and practical applications aimed at integrating sustainability principles across various sectors of Lebanon's economy.
The conference also featured three competitions with students from various participating universities. At the end of the conference, valuable prizes were awarded to the winners. Dr. Elias Feghali also presented commemorative prizes to all the speakers, judges, and participating students.
In summary, NDU's first hosting of the AIChE Student Regional Conference marks a significant turning point for the academic and engineering landscapes of Lebanon. This year's event demonstrated the University's commitment to developing the next generation of chemical engineering professionals with lively debates, thought-provoking talks, and cooperative projects. The conference's accomplishments set a positive example for the region's future advancement in both academic quality and business innovation, to say the least.