About Research Center for Environment and Development, Vision & Mission

About Us

The Research Center for Environment and Development (RCED) was established to perform research using interdisciplinary approaches on matters related to natural resources and sustainable development.

The RCED is a team of BAU researchers and students.

The Center is directed by Dr. Safaa Baydoun and a Managing Board of experts and consultants headed by the University President.

Vision

The RCED strives to play a leadership role in sustainable development through ecosystem approaches to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity, and improve community livelihood by sustainable use of natural resources.

Mission

Our aim is to understand the various threats and challenges of ecosystems and natural resources and recommend appropriate management approaches. The RCED focuses on fostering the participation and engagement of community members through integrated research strategies that go beyond the scientific laboratory research framework to involve the environmental and socioeconomic aspects of sustainable development.

Objectives

Conduct applied research to protect and conserve natural resources towards sustainable use and community development
Provide applied research internships for undergraduate and graduate students
Stimulate participation in national and international cooperation programs and interdisciplinary collaborative research networking
Establish community outreach programs and engagement activities
Establish capacity building activities
Enhance community environmental awareness

Interests

Water and soil quality assessment and monitoring
Flora biodiversity and conservation
Economic empowerment of women
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
Environmental Awareness and educational programs

Partners

Managing Board

The Managing Board provides an overall guidance to assure adherence of RCED to its strategy and priorities. It serves as a representative of consultants and responsible community members who provide advice, consultation and support. RCED Managing Board grantees transparency, dissemination of findings and a linkage with different sectors of society and community.

RCED By Laws

Projects

Groundwater Governance in the Arab World - Taking Stock and Addressing the Challenges

Funded by USAID and led by the International Institute of Water Management (IWMI), The project was intended to address the challenges posed by the unsustainable use of groundwater in the MENA region and contribute to finding governance and policy solutions and mitigation measures to the groundwater crisis in the region with focus on the case studies in Tunisia (Haouaria region), Jordan (Azraq groundwater basin) and Lebanon (Central Beqaa). The project was primarily designed to 1) improve the awareness, knowledge and capacity of both national decision-makers and stakeholders at the level of four aquifers and 2) launch a participatory process to define problems and implement action plans to improve management and governance at the aquifer level.

Hermon Mountain: Biodiversity Assessment towards a Valorization and Conservation Action Plan

This ongoing project aims to develop a deep understanding of the flora biodiversity of Mount Hermon and document traditional ethnobotanical use towards conservation strategies and community development.

BAU Herbal Garden for Lebanese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

BAU has established an herbal garden in Bekaa Campus. It is used for the conservation of some native medicinal and aromatic plants of high ecological, economic, and social importance.

Cultivation of Origanum syriacum & Salvia officinalis in Bekaa

Following the conservation guidelines for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) developed by Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute (LARI), UNDP and the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, 2013, this project demonstrates the cultivation of Origanum syriacum (Oregano or Za’atar in Arabic) and Salvia officinalis (Sage or Kassiin /Maryamiyeh in Arabic) in Bekaa region. It aims at promoting the cultivation of MAP species that have been subject to extensive and unsustainable harvesting. The project provides knowledge of cultivation technology and post harvesting processes of these two species towards local livelihood and national economic development.

Production and Quality Parameters of Lebanese Honey in Bekaa Region

The project aims at promoting beekeeping and high quality honey production while contributing to the conservation of the Syrian bee (Apis mellifera syriaca) and protection of flora biodiversity and agricultural productivity in the unique settings of BAU Bekaa and Debbieh campuses and surrounding local areas. The project creats a platform for enhancing the outreach dimension of BAU educational objectives as a core value of BAU mission and BAU strategy.

All Projects

Contact Us

Taanayel, Bekaa Campus.

Phone Number

+961 8 543 051

Email Address

rced@bau.edu.lb