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Our Activities
Field Trip to O.K.
Engineers Without Borders NDU Chapter organizes a field trip to O.K. Foundry in Kfarchima. This visit was part of the senior course MEN340 (Manufacturing Processes), and was organized by Dr. Marwan Azzi allowing mechanical engineering students to experience the manufacturing processes of valves and fittings in different types and material. O.K. is a leading manufacturer in the Middle East of cast iron, brass and bronze valves and fittings for water supply, sewage treatment and fire fighting. |
EWB Chapters Gala Dinner
Students from all university chapters attended the dinner: members from AUB, and NDU along with representatives from the startup chapters at UOB, LAU and USJ were all present at the event. Aside from the students and members, many professors and company officials honored EWB with their presence: Dean of Engineering at Notre Dame University Michel Hayek as well as university professors, CEOs, Managing Directors and Operations Managers from sponsoring companies such as Green Future, SEEDS, Solar World and SESOBEL.
Following a brief introduction, Albert Shamieh, Vice President of EWB-Lebanon and Chairman of EWB university chapters in Lebanon, thanked all attendees, :students and companies, for their participation and contribution to the success of EWB’s project for the year 2013, Solar World Lebanon, and Green Future being the major sponsor. He made sure to reflect that what gathered EWB volunteers is their ability to love, help, and their passion about using all the available resources - and more - for the better of their community. Albert explained in brief the strategy followed throughout this project, the brainstorming and SWOT analysis conducted, and the optimization of the decision taken to provide SESOBEL with four thousand united states dollars’ (USD4000) worth of labor cost after detecting their need. With no contingency factor whatsoever, and with a very strict time constraint, the university chapters successfully made it, and did make the world a better place!
Afterwards, the presidents of each EWB University chapter shared their experiences throughout the year: Lama Atallah started by putting forth the efforts EWB-AUB made in order to have a flourishing start. Joseph Tayoun carried on by strengthening EWB-NDU’s engagement in all activities held by the society. He also encouraged students to keep moving forward bearing in mind the goals of the society and what it stands for.
Next, a final word was given to Mr. Elie Kanaan from Solar World-Lebanon, who depicted the high impacts caused by global warming and how his company is dedicated to make a small change through the use of solar energy. On the other hand, this responsibility involves not only companies and projects, but also awareness amongst young students that they, too, can take part in such a change.
A recent and valid example was the project performed at SESOBEL, a school for kids with special needs. Students dedicated their time and contributed in the retrofitting of nine hundred (900) LED lamps and the installation of fourteen (14) solar water heaters. Their help saved four thousand united states dollars’ (USD4000) worth of labor cost. The project was successful, students were very pleased with the experience as they got the chance to meet with colleagues from different universities and couple their theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Not only that, but participants also gained a sense of awareness towards their society and environment. Mr. Kanaan displayed a small video illustrating the efforts done by students during several weeks under the guidance of Solar World Lebanon.
Lastly, Alain Tayoun from EWB-UOB shared the university of Balamand students’ experience in the project, provided us with the feedback it had on UOB’s community as a whole, and declaimed the exciting ambitions of young engineers to improve their surroundings with the mediocre available capacities and resources.
At the end of the event, certificates were distributed to the participants in the SESOBEL project by the chairman of university chapters, with the presence of Solar World’s owner. To wrap it all up, this year was a challenge to all of us: finding a project where the costs are minimal but the effect is big was never easy; but we succeeded, and the impact is made. However, you all know that there is still a lot to be done, and many projects to be completed. Whether a generous company or an enthusiastic student, we would like to encourage you all to join us and be part of our family, since change needs both sponsorship and labor.
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EWB Students Help Sesobel
 The project aimed at implementing energy saving solutions at the Sesobel headquarters in Aintoura, and was jointly implemented with the private company Solar World which supplied LED lamps and solar water heaters. The execution of the project at Sesobel started on Friday April 5 and was done on two phases, and might include a
third phase based on the status of the project.
The support EWB students offered was in the implementation of the project where more than 100 students from the different university chapters worked together to reduce the implementation cost of the project. This helped offering Sesobel a more attractive solution with lowest expenses possible. Students were trained by experts and technicians from the partner company and were exposed to different installation techniques and methods. Download training presentation by Mr. Elie Kanaan from Solar World here. |
EWB-Lebanon Organizes Field Trip to Elderly Center
 The field trip was organized for EWB University Chapter students with two major aspects in mind, intending to introduce the students to the importance of engineering in society development. The first is the technical aspect, which included a technical tour led by Mr. Bernard Ammoun, EWB Member and CEO of Green Future Lebanon, who performed the implementation of a solar water heating system, an enhanced efficiency boiler, and improved thermal insulation at the facility. The second is a social aspect that intended to immerse the students in the reality of elderly centers. This was met while the students were touring and moving from one floor to another, seeing the elderly living with the basic needs. Students were very touched during the visit, which added to their enthusiasm to help this center and other non-profit institutions through technical and scientific support. The delegation included students from AUB, NDU, and Alba in coordination of EWB-AUB and EWB-NDU. |
EWB-AUB Lecture on Engineers Engagement in Society Development
 In an aim to introduce the roles of engineers in sustainable development, EWB-AUB in collaboration with EWB-NDU organized a lecture on the involvement of engineers in social work and society-driven initiatives. The lecture was given by Mr. Bernard Ammoun, CEO of Green Future Lebanon holding, and a member of EWB-Lebanon, who shared his experience in implementing sustainable solutions in a social institution as part of Green Future Lebanon corporate social responsibility strategy jointly with engineers without borders Lebanon. The lecture was held on February 27, 2013 at 5 pm at the faculty of engineering at AUB, and attended by engineering students from AUB and NDU. The lecture was the first step in the launching of the annual students project. In 2013 EWB Lebanon is working closely with university chapters to implement a rural development project. The project to be implemented by EWB-AUB and EWB-NDU in addition to other start-up groups, and will be led by EWB-Lebanon. The presentation given by Mr. Ammoun is available here. A short video on the social development project can be viewed here. |
EWB-Lebanon: Run for a Cause, Run for Engineering
 Running for engineering, EWB-Lebanon gathered a group of motivated individuals to run the Beirut Marathon 2012. EWB-Lebanon, jointly with EWB-NDU and EWB-AUB gathered on a Sunday morning to run the Beirut Marathon organized nationally in November each year. Supporters of EWB and partner organizations such as Green Future Lebanon joined hands, put their white engineering helmets, and ran together for the second year in a row. "I would do it again. I would definitely come next yer with a cause to run for" says Jessica, a first time runner. Rani adds: "The rain was part of the fun though, it wouldn't have been that much fun if it was sunny all day" |
EWB-Lebanon Students at the Beirut Energy Forum 2012
 10 students from AUB and NDU were recommended by EWB-Lebanon to be sponsored by the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) as delegates at this prestigious event, which is considered the number one energy related event in Lebanon. During the event a series of green energy and sustainability lectures were given by national and international experts from the world Energy Council, the European Union, UNDP, League of Arab State, RCS, Schneider Electric, LSES, and many others. Distinguished speakers discussed renewable energy and energy efficiency related topics for 2 days on the 13th and 14th of September at the Hilton Habtour Hotel (Agenda). |
EWB-NDU Organizes a Lecture on Green Building
 The lecture included the following topics: 1. Introduction to Green Buildings & LEED 2. Sustainable Strategies and Energy conservation measures (Site, Energy, Water, Materials & Indoor Environmental Quality) 3. Case Study: Building Performance Simulation 4. Overview of LEED-aiming buildings in Lebanon The conference took about 50min and was followed by a 40min discussion between doctors, students and Mr. Saab over a small buffet. The participants were from different fields including architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering students, in addition to the chairperson of the mechanical department attended the conference along with 3 doctors from the engineering department.
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EWB-NDU Celebrating University Founder's Day
Founder’s day is
a very special day to the NDU family. Each year NDU officials and students get
together on the 11th of May in a large ceremony and festival to commemorate the
beginning of their dear university.  This year NDU was celebrating its silver jubilee, 25 years, and for the very first time EWB-NDU was taking part in this big event along with 18 different clubs and societies. The theme for this year’s event was “once upon a time”, a fairy tale theme should be adopted by all clubs and societies participating. EWB-NDU chose the theme “the 4 engineers who changed the world” implying the four main sections in engineering: mechanical, electrical, civil and computer engineering. On the EWB-NDU stand there was 2 main large posters made in a timeline format highlighting more or less on the evolution of the four engineering sections mentioned above. In addition, there was a car (made as a senior project by previous university students) placed in the middle of the stand. Furthermore, at the EWB-NDU stand there was pizza selling by “Norman’s Pizza” and all profits went to benefit EWB-NDU’s treasury. As far as the entrance parade is concerned, EWB-NDU entrance was made in a show-off kind of way in order to reflect the contradiction between the appearance of well successful corporate engineers and their wild thoughts and imagination. Committee members, being all suited up with black shades and cigars, made their way to the stage in a black AMG Mercedes-Benz and a black Range Rover Sport in a “VIP” quoted way. Later, members climbed the stage on RnB music, stripped off their suits and performed a dance in their swim wear. All in all, the entrance parade and show turned a lot of heads and made a funny controversy that many talked about. As for the rest of the day, NDU continued celebrating its 25th anniversary with many singers, performers and DJs taking turn till 2:00AM. |
EWB-Lebanon Implements Development Through Beekeeping
 The project starts by selecting one poor family from a rural
region in Lebanon with previous experience in beekeeping, and works closely
with the family members to reconsider beekeeping as a side activity to help
produce natural honey.
The family is supplied with the tools and equipment needed to perform beekeeping activities, and provided with bee colonies in eight beehives to be raised and used for honey as well as queen bee production. The role of EWB-Lebanon is to provide the material and lead training and educational sessions in partnership with local experts in the field of beekeeping. The beekeeper is committed to keep close coordination with the organization for a period of two years, reporting problems and following the recommendations of the team leader. This all is offered to the beekeeper free of charge, the only requirement the family should commit to is to capture and keep the new bee colonies created through artificial or natural swarming in good condition for the period of 2 years. EWB-Lebanon will collect the new colonies and use them to implement a similar activity in the second phase of the project with another underdeveloped family in Lebanon. EWB-Lebanon has the right to perform artificial only once for each beehive during the project period. The beekeeper is also asked to participate in future training sessions and train other beekeepers in later phases of the project. The second phase of the project starts while still coordinating with the first beneficiary. During this phase the same process will be repeated with a new family to create a sustainable activity at reduced costs.  
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