LEBANON – The Faculty of Engineering at the Lebanese American University (LAU) hosted a meeting with Minister of Environment Tamara Al-Zein, in the presence of University President Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, Dean Dr. Michel Khoury, faculty, students, and other participants.

Dr. Jean Chatila opened the event, followed by Dr. Khoury, who encouraged students to benefit from the Ministry’s strategies and gain practical knowledge beyond the classroom.

Dr. Abdallah highlighted that environmental challenges in Lebanon involve multiple sectors and stakeholders. He stressed the importance of engaging the government, private sector, universities, and civil society to address these issues.

A panel discussion featured Minister Al-Zein, Assistant Professor Dr. Michelle Charafeddine, Bino Yamin from Jamil Brothers, and student Farah Al-Andari, moderated by journalist Pierre Atallah.

Al-Zein spoke about environmental challenges and their impact on public health. She emphasized the Ministry’s efforts to rebuild its administrative and operational structures, and the role of universities in developing human capital beyond rankings and metrics.

She noted that research in universities should focus on advancing knowledge rather than publications or rankings. She also stressed the need to institutionalize the link between decision-makers and knowledge producers.

Finally, Al-Zein described restructuring the Ministry as a cornerstone of reform. She announced a new initiative, in partnership with several universities including LAU, to monitor air quality in Beirut and provide a daily index for guiding sensitive populations.