AUB and the National Council for Scientific Research launch three associated research units

Funded by CNRS, the ARU program will support an integrated research project on a specific topic led by a research team of at least 2-3 principal investigators from several universities.

ARUs are created annually following a call for proposals and a competitive selection process based on the outstanding scientific performance of the team members within the past five years; the expected outcome of the research study; the ability of researchers to attract foreign funding and support; as well as their readiness to sponsor MS, PhD and postdoctoral students within the ARU. CNRS's annual contribution may reach $50,000 per year for a period of three years.

Present at the ceremony, which was held at Marquand House, were AUB academic deans, faculty, and representatives from CNRS. On the AUB side, signing the agreement were President Peter Dorman and AUB faculty members from the various ARUs; and on the CNRS side, Dr. Mouin Hamze, CNRS secretary-general, and Professor Georges Tohme, CNRS president, who gave President Dorman, following the signature, a medal of honor from the council.

"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.

Dr. Tohme concurred, noting that the agreement is ultimately for the "greater good and public welfare."

Before signing the agreement, Dr. Hamze overviewed how the idea for the ARUs had come about. He noted that in 2006, when CNRS launched the new National Science and Technology Policy—under the auspices of HE Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and UNESCO Director General Mr. Kiochiro Matsura—it recommended creating centers of research excellence as stipulated by the policy. These Associated Research Units were designed to connect 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," he said. "When we first thought of this program, we did not expect to receive a large number of proposals... 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 will study air quality in Lebanon and will be jointly managed by AUB and Université Saint Joseph (USJ); while the second ARU will be co-managed by AUB and the Lebanese American University to address the "Quality and Management of Water Resources in Lebanon. The third unit will addresse malnutrition and obesity in Lebanon and will involve AUB, USJ, and Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik (USEK).

The main goal of the first ARU is to monitor air quality and determine the percentage and type of poisonous gases within the Greater Beirut area. Additionally, the research team will identify causes and solutions for poor air quality. Seven researchers are involved in this unit: AUB Chemistry Professor Najat Saliba and AUB Mechanical Engineering Professor Alan Shihadeh; as well as Dr. Wehbe Farah, Dr. Maher Abboud, Dr. Jocelyne Gerard, Dr. Nada Saliba, and Dr. Rita Zaarour from USJ. The CNRS will support this unit with $50,000 per year for the next three years.

As for the second ARU, its objective is to improve water quality and ensure the sustainable management of Lebanon's water resources. Three researchers from AUB—environmental health professors May Jurdi and May Massoud, and medical lab technology professor Sami Ramia—as well as Dr. Samira Korfali from the Lebanese American University are involved in this unit. The CNRS contribution will amount to $40,000 annually for the next 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 Dr. Nahla Hwalla, dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, in partnership with Dr. Dolla Sarkis from USJ and Dr. Ziad Harb from USEK. The CNRS will support this unit with $50,000 annually for a period of three years.

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.