SWaTH Project Celebrates Erasmus Days 2021 with High School Students: Promoting Education and Collaboration

Within the context of the Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals - SWaTH project, the faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand hosted a celebration of Erasmus Days 2021 in the presence of Prof. Rami Abboud (UOB Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering) from the University of Balamand – Lebanon, Dr. Makram EL BACHAWATI (SWaTH Coordinator) from the University of Balamand – Lebanon, Dr. Aref Al Soufi- Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office – Lebanon, Ms. Yara Nasr (SWaTH Administrative Assistant And Communication Coordinator) from the University of Balamand – Lebanon, and other partners in the SWaTH project consortium from Lebanon and Europe who attended either physically or virtually.

Since 2017, this was the first time that the Erasmus Days Celebration was held and celebrated in Lebanon. This special gathering was a success even in the tough and challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic and was held at the UOB’s main campus in Koura. It involved more than 80 high school students who engaged in numerous interactive sessions, lectures, games, and competitions focused on waste management. In his welcoming address, UOB Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Abboud highlighted the university’s ongoing support of the SWaTH Project. He emphasized the role of programs such as Erasmus in bringing to world together and appreciated the efforts of the SWaTH project team stressing the importance of wastewater management. Moreover, Dr. Al Soufi discussed the long history of successful collaboration with the University of Balamand with the attendees and underlined the impact of the Erasmus+ projects over the past years. Lastly, the opening session came to an end with the speech of Dr. El Bachawati, project coordinator, who spoke about the aims and goals of the project, acknowledged the efforts of the Lebanese Red Cross volunteers, and deeply thanked the cooperation of the Lebanese ministry of public health and the socio-economic sector. Following the opening session, SWaTH Project partners gave brief presentations to explain to the audience the different aspects of wastewater management and its different areas of impact. This was followed by a series of lab tours, photo booths, competitions, and a quiz competition focused on the knowledge acquired throughout the day.