Sustainable Action

School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences contributes to the Sustainability Strategy through academic initiatives, research bodies and community engagement. 

Conscientious Education

In support of the 2030 Agenda, the SOAS developed the new Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. With many interdisciplinary courses to choose from, students learn to apply sustainability principles both in and outside the classroom.

Another way students engage in sustainability is through extracurricular activities. With competitions and projects, students are able to showcase their strategic thinking and real-life problem solving skills. Opportunities like the National Best Poster Competition on Food Waste Awareness and the arcenciel project enable students to apply their learnings in community-based initiatives. 

The most recent edition of the LAU Economic Policy Talk Series, an engaging initiative by the Department of Economics, highlighted how economic principles guide policy choices across different layers of governance in Lebanon. Together, the talks offered the LAU community a cohesive narrative about policymaking in Lebanon, moving from environmental stewardship to national socio-economic dialogue and local development planning. 

Research for Sustainability

The SOAS leads a variety of research institutes that contribute to LAU’s growing body of research and academic partnerships.  

  • The Institute for Migration Studies (IMS) at the School of Arts and Sciences at LAU is an interdisciplinary, policy-driven and network-oriented research institute that develops research in the areas of Migration, Refugee and Displacement Studies.
  • The Institute of Media Research and Training (IMRT) is an interdisciplinary center for media research, training, production and advocacy. It aims to produce and transmit scientific knowledge and media content that examines how media and digital communication systems shape and are shaped by local and regional politics, economics, and cultures; to develop media literacy curricula and programs and offer academic and professional training that advances media education in the region; and to advocate for ethical, professional, and equitable communication laws and practices and a free media environment.
  • The Center for Integrative Research (CIR) driven by the University’s strategic plan as well as by the need to federate researchers in arts and sciences disciplines by establishing a collaborative platform. The center also aims to establish technology transfer culture in the School and to affirm the School’s commitment for high-quality programs and research.
Titled Waste Not, Want Not, a panel discussion, held by LAU’s Department of Nutrition and Food Science in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, explored innovative solutions to promote sustainable consumption, more equitable distribution, and the reduction of food loss and waste from farm to table. The event demonstrated the important role that academic institutions play in reducing food waste and loss by addressing societal challenges, conducting research to diagnose issues and identify leverage points.

Community Engagement

As part of its commitment to community outreach and youth empowerment, the School of Arts and Sciences (SOAS) at LAU hosts a yearly series of Summer and Boot Camps  designed to ignite curiosity, promote hands-on learning, and foster innovation beyond the classroom. These camps serve as an extension of SOAS’s dedication to the Sustainability Pillars of Social Impact and Educational Empowerment, offering middle and high school students a unique opportunity to experience university life while developing critical skills for the future.

To raise nationwide awareness of celiac disease and mark the official launch of the Celiac Association- Lebanon, the LAU Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the School of Arts and Sciences inaugurated the association’s activities at the Beirut campus, bringing together medical experts, government representatives, academics, and families.

LAU and Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences implemented a joint project titled Seeds of Change: Leveraging Social Innovation for Women-Led Food Cooperatives in Lebanon. Spearheaded by LAU Professor of Food Science and Technology and Director of Academic Compliance Hussein Hassan, the initiative reflected their universities’ commitment to align academic collaboration with community development. 

 

To learn more about sustainable initiatives and updates from School of Arts and Sciences, visit our news page.