CONTENTS July 2005 - Issue N° 34 NDU Spirit A periodical about campus life at Notre Dame University - Louaïze.

2 A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

3 French Delegation at NDU 3 Lebanese Emigrants’ Delegation at NDU 4 NDU Activists and Congressman STUDENT AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 5 Admissions in Action! Report by Dr. Elham Hasham

WEERC 27 ETE Seminars 10 WEERC Workshop for Chekka area 28 NDU Winner at ESU Competition LERC Conferences 29 NDU Founders’ Day 11 Children of Lebanese in Australia 31 Job Fair 2005 – Dr. Rosemary Suliman 32 NDU Students in Turkey – Nathalie Kobrossi 13 Forum: Residents and Emigrants 33 NDU Student Soars High – Dr. Naji Oueijan 4th Millennial Lecture Series 35 Deputy Pierre Jmeil and Dr. Wadih al-Hajj 15 Universal Reason: Religion and Civil Society – Lebanon of Tomorrow – Dr. William Grassie 35 Dr. Eddy Abillamaa – The Future of the Forces 19 What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem 36 Candidates Farid el-Khazen, I. Kanaan, – Dr. Joseph Bechara G. Abi Zaid and A. Aoun 20 Cross Cultural Symposium with American 36 A Call for Democracy – Deputy Mosbah Ahdab University, Washington 36 Gibran Tueni talks North Campus News 37 Sports Office News 23 Workshop: Lebanese Architecture 37 NDU students united for Independence 24 Workshop on Drug Abuse 25 Shouf Campus Shorts — Events

OPINION AND CULTURE

38 Experience never stops – Elias Karout 65 Mechanical Engineering at NDU – Dr. Walid C. Assaf 39 Social - Correction 66 Heating System with Storage – Dr. Walid C. Assaf 40 Why NDU? – Serge Dagher 67 American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Charbel Wehbe 41 Government in Media Developments 68 Solid Mechanics and its Applications – Dr. Ghazi Asmar – Dr. Mahmoud Hammoud 70 Renewable Energy – Wissam Daou 42 Activities at the School of Humanities– Kamal Darouni 73 Turbo Accessories – Wissam Rashed 43 America’s Image in the Arab World 74 Engineering Code of Ethics – Dr. George Hassoun – Dr. Najah Abdallah 77 Civil Engineering: Challenges of the Century 44 Personal and Institutional Communication Skills – Dr. Jacques Harb – Dr. Naji Oueijan 79 Performance of Landfill Covers in Lebanon 46 Reading – K.J. Mortimer – Sophia Ghanimeh 49 From Law Studies to Art – Samer Charabati From the Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design 52 Need for Speed – Nathalie Kobrossi 84 FAAD, Meeting the Challenge – Dr. Assaad Eid, Dean From the Faculty of Engineering 86 London Visit – Dr. Assaad Eid 53 F.E. at a Glance – Dr. Shahwan Khoury, Dean 87 Visit to Qatar – Dr. Assaad Eid 54 IEEE Lebanon Section Elections – The Department 88 Santorini Workshop – Mr. Robert Haddad et alii 54 IEEE Activities for 2004-2005 – Ralph Ayoub 90 Design for Martyrs’ Square – Jean-Pierre Asmar et alii 55 Conference at NLC 94 Chadirji Award, ARCHITEC-TAOIC – Elie Hawi – Dr. Ali Harmush, Jaffan, Ayoub 95 The Global Message, Landmark for Achievements – Rony Imad 56 Cellular Phones and Human Health 97 Professional Design Practice – Dr. Elias Nassar 99 Ethno-Musicological Expedition – Ahmed Kaarkanawi 58 AC versus DC Power Systems – Dr. Rabih A. Jabr 100 Architectural Heritage and its Preservation – Habib Melki 59 National Grant for the ECCE Dept. – The Department 113 Something for your grey matter 60 Mobile Phone Location – Jinane Mounsef 63 Regional ACM Competition – Charles Aad

Tel: (09) 218950 - Ext.: 2477 Fax: (09) 224803 Email: [email protected] Editor-iin-CChief Website: www.ndu.edu.lb/newsandevents/nduspirit Georges Mghames Reporting English Editor Ghada Mouawad He signed the last of his articles then slept on a bed of words. When he Kenneth Mortimer woke up to the rays of the sun to meet the city, he was overwhelmed with Arabic Typing the dreams of its tomorrow. But the highwaymen of freedom blew up his Translation Lydia Zgheïb feet. They forgot, however, that the courage of pens will always embrace Valérie Aoun Photographers the wreaths of martyrdom! Abdo Bejjani We owe it to the youth to dedicate this issue to the soul of that who spoke Rodney Eid in the name of their generation, to the martyr Dr. Samir Kasseer, the political scholar, the democratic activist, the Renaissance man and the great master of free press. He is another symbol on the Golgotha towards Layout executed by Print the resurrection of Lebanon…and the Arabs! Technopub Meouchy and Zakaria The Editor A Word from the President Reverend Boutros Tarabay

And when the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming; and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as if it were of fire; and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (The Acts, ch. 2)

It is considered that it was at this moment the Church came into existence, the Mystical Body of Christ, by membership in which we share the divine life, the eternal vision that God has of Himself. We say this in order to recall that being a Christian is not a matter of belonging to a sect, a clan, or a community with common political and economic interests. Being a Christian means living the life of the Spirit, as taught in the Gospel, the Acts and the Epistles. In fact it entails being able to go outside our family or our village or our country to share in the suffering of those outside.

I have said before that Catholic means Universal, so as a Catholic University we must consider ourselves as having a mission that embraces our whole country, our whole region and all mankind beyond. For six years I have had the honour of presiding over the destinies of Notre Dame University. I have been helped in this by colleagues whose diversified religious background represent well this catholicity; but all are drawn together, all are working towards one God-given goal, and all, we are sure, are directing the students’ footsteps towards the same unselfish objectives.

I once explained that our University must be distinguished by Science, Scholarship and Spirituality, three elements that must stand or fall together. If during my six-year mandate they have moulded those who have gone forth from our University Campus, armed with the riches of the East and of the West, I thank the Holy Spirit for guidance, Our Lady Our Patron for her intercession, and all my collaborators for their support, their prayer and their labours. French Embassy Delegation at NDU May 11, 2005

The cultural attaché at the French the issues of environment, Embassy, Mr. Frederic Clavier, energy and water. visited NDU with a delegation of > Establishing an academic officials from the embassy. cooperation that will allow the French language and literature at exchange of instructors and the university. The aim of the visit was to promote students with French universities, interaction for the purpose of making use of an exchange of All those present agreed that this building cultural and academic complementary expertise and cooperation contributes to guiding bridges between the Francophone encouraging students to sit for MA theses towards the practical and Anglophone cultures, in their MA’s and PhD’s in issues of scientific principles and particular through academic European universities. commended the successful cooperation between French > Cooperating on promoting the example of cooperation between institutions and NDU. study of the French language the Faculty of Business among students, opening Administration and Economics at The visit was devoted to three main French-speaking courses, and NDU and the School of Business at objectives: paving the way towards offering Bordeaux University in France, a major in French literature. which is based on a dual degree > Establishing a network of The President of NDU, Father program delivering NDU’s MBA cooperation to develop and Boutros Tarabay, indicated the Degree, and the French National promote research centers at possibility of establishing a special “Grandes Ecoles” Master’s in NDU, especially those related to department for the teaching of International Business.

Lebanese Emigrants’ Delegation Visits NDU May 10, 2005

A delegation of Lebanese emigrants visited NDU, Discussions centered on academic affairs with the aim headed by the President of the Lebanese-American of establishing a mechanism to promote cooperation Council for Democracy, Mr. Tony Haddad, the between the Lebanese emigrants in the countries of President of the Lebanese-American Council in Detroit, emigration and the different Lebanese universities in Mr. Gaby Issa, and the President of the Gathering for general, and NDU in particular as a university Lebanon in France, Mr. Simon Abi Ramia. The adopting the American system of education. delegation was welcomed by the President of NDU, Father Boutros Tarabay, and the Vice-President for After the meeting, the delegation was invited to a Sponsored Research and Development, Dr. Ameen lunch that was organized in their honor and attended Albert Rihani. by political, media and social figures.

2 3 NDU Activists and Congressman

1. From left to right: Mr. George Hajjar, Dr. Akl Kairouz, Congressman Darrell Issa, Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous and Dr. Dima Dabbous-Sensenig. (Photo by courtesy of the American Embassy)

1

On Easter Monday, 28th March, Republican Representative Issa met 2005, US Congressman Darrell with the Acting Chair of the Issa laid a wreath of flowers to Republicans Abroad in Lebanon honour the Americans and Dr. Akl Kairouz, Chair of the Lebanese who died as a result of Democrats Abroad in Lebanon explosions directed against Dr. Eugene Sensenig-DDabbous and Americans here in the 1980s and Vice Chair of the DA Lebanon 1990s. The Congressman said that Mr. George Hajjar. All three are he wished that violence would professors at NDU. Dr. Sensenig- cease and that Lebanon would Both Dr. Kairouz and Dabbous is shown here with his know peace once again as the Dr. Sensenig-Dabbous assist Lebanese-Canadian wife Dr. Dima country “is on its way to a very Americans in Lebanon wishing to different future.” (Daily Star, p.2, Dabbous-SSensenig, who is remain politically active in the 29th March, 2005.) professor for Media Law at the United States and organise various Lebanese American University, events, including voter registration Following the ceremony, California Beirut. drives prior to US elections. Admissions In Action!

The Tannourine Association of the Lebanese community of Sydney.

Dr. Elham Hashem reports these, about 70,000 were born in on her recent tour Lebanon (Census 1996), while the (December 2004-January remainder have a Lebanese background. Arabic is the fourth 2005) of Australia, New most common non-English Zealand, the Middle East language spoken in Australian and the USA. homes. The relationship between Australia and Lebanon is one of the closest Australian-Lebanese play on active in the Middle East. Australia’s and positive role in Australian fundamental connection is based society and have made notable on the strength of Australian- contributions in business and Lebanese communities, stemming commerce, politics, education, directly from the large numbers of sport and the arts. They have a Lebanese who have migrated to strong commitment to their Australia over the last 150 years. adopted country, Australia, while Today, the Lebanese in Australia cherishing their Lebanese cultural are about 300,000 strong. Of and ethnic heritage. Accordingly,

4 5 because of NDU’s feeling of obligation and a personal Australian-Lebanese affiliation, there is a strong need to enhance the relations between these two great countries. Moreover, there is felt a patriotic duty to encourage qualifications of Lebanese people to visit Lebanon and come institutions as recognized by the back to their roots. In particular, Australian government was there is a feeling of urgency to acquired. It was made clear that; promote NDU and initiate joint NOOSR accredits NDU Bachelor academic programs with the degrees as equivalent to Australian prestigious institutions of higher Bachelor degrees. Notre Dame education in Australia. University-Louaize /Lady of are managed within the Australian Loueizeh University, see Notre In “Down-Under” the objective of Department of Education, Science, Dame University [de] Louaizé, is all contacts and visits – to the and Training (DEST). The AEI on the official list of Universities Ministry of Education, Lebanese Group comprises three branches recognized by the Australian religious and government officials, (Export Facilitation Branch, Ministry of Education. This list is Australian officials, schools, International Cooperation Branch made public and distributed to all universities and educational and Educational Standards educational institutions. institutions – was to promote Notre Branch), a Business Management Dame University. The discussions Unit and an International Network A series of courtesy visits was included introducing the NDU of offshore offices associated with made to Lebanese officials in programs of study and what Australian diplomatic and trade Australia. One was to the academic support services NDU missions throughout the world. Lebanese Embassy, with a long offers. In addition, the Summer There were meetings with the and productive meeting with H.E. Arabic Program and future Director of the Education the Consul General of Lebanon. exchange programs were Recognition Unit known as the He expressed extreme appreciation promoted. The importance of National Office of Overseas Skills for the mission to promote not only initiating joint research projects Recognition (NOOSR). NOOSR the educational system as reflected and exchange of internships was offers an educational assessment by NDU but also to encourage stressed. Moreover, the service which assesses the people to visit Lebanon. He reciprocation of programs was comparability of overseas displayed full support and stated highlighted. Furthermore, the qualifications to Australian awards. that such an activity must be possibility of establishing a Ph.D. Educational assessments give an publicized not only in Australia but program at NDU in collaboration indication of the comparability of also in Lebanon and he would with any of these prominent the educational level of an inform the Ministry of Foreign Australian institutions was institution’s qualifications to Affairs of my activities. welcomed and the details of future Australian educational agreements will be specified by qualifications. Country Education The religious figures that I visited NDU and the individual institutions Profiles (CEPs) is a series of were His Lordship the Maronite after the signing of a booklets describing the Bishop of Australia, Aad Abi Memorandum of Understanding. educational systems of over 85 Karam, who blessed my mission, countries and provides guidelines the Metropolitan Archbishop, The first contact was with the on the comparability of Primate of the Antiochian Ministry of Education and qualifications in these countries to Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Australian Education International Australian awards. A draft New Zealand and Dependencies, (AEI). AEI’s programs and services guideline for assessing and the Most Reverend Bishop of ADMISSIONS IN ACTION

the Melkite Catholic Church of Australia and New Zealand, both Press conference with prominent academic figures from Various universities in Sydney, the latter expressing great Australia. enthusiasm for the promotion of education in Lebanon. They also showed full support and blessed the agenda. 100% of the students are the Vice-Chancellor and the One specific New Zealand city, expatriates: – St. Charbel’s International and Development Canterbury, which has been College, St. Maroun’s School and College Manager. We discussed classified as the “City of Cultural Our Lady of Lebanon School. many issues such as establishing Diversity”, is very active. Productive Among the other schools are Stella criteria for accreditation for meetings were conducted with the Maris College, The Casimir exchange purposes, internships Mayor of Canterbury City Council, Catholic School, The Holy Spirit and the reciprocation of with the General Manager, and School, Collège de La Salle and knowledge. We also spoke about with the Deputy Mayor, Ms. Fadwa the Christian Brothers School. future programs that may be Kebbe, who is of Lebanese origin. These have a student body of established including a Ph.D. The Council members are which 55% is of Lebanese origin. program, but the stress was on planning a visit to Lebanon as part The meetings were very effective joint research projects. Another of their “Sister City” program. and arrangements were made for meeting was held with Dr. Nijmeh Canterbury has a large Lebanese future visits with scheduled Hajjar (Lebanese), who is with the community. An invitation was orientation sessions with the School of Languages and Cultures. extended for the delegation to visit students. Dr. Hajjar was previously with the NDU as part of their official visit. Australian National University The universities and institutions of (ANU) and has visited NDU with a The Association of Tannourine, higher education were all very group of students who took the comprising the families from the enthusiastic and keen to establish Summer Arabic Program. village of Tannourine, invited me contact with the Middle East and to a gathering at which a especially with Lebanon. All of Another meeting was held with the presentation about NDU was given them were glad to see someone Dean of the Faculty of Business with a briefing about my activities. from Lebanon taking this initiative and the International Development to enhance the educational Manager and the Health Science The schools that were visited were relations between the two countries. Department at Sydney University. among the most prominent. They all expressed extreme They have a keen interest in the Rapport was established with the willingness to establish contact and Middle East and were very principals and administrators. to proceed to a Memorandum of impressed with NDU. The Business NDU literature and the Admissions Understanding (MOU) with details Faculty is accredited by prominent Guides were distributed for the to be determined between the two international standards and they students. A briefing of what NDU institutions. have the European Quality offers was given and clarifications Improvement System. They are very made by the AEI and NOOSR The University of Sydney is one of strict on alliances and very cautious were stressed. The following the most prominent universities in with MOUs but they do want a schools are strictly Lebanese and Australia. A first meeting was with strategic partner in the region. They

6 7 ADMISSIONS IN ACTION

are very happy that NDU has of International Education and across the state through the TAFE. approached them. We discussed discussions also covered issues of There was a meeting with the possible future joint projects. The importance to both universities. International Consultant, who is establishment of a CPA program Future course of action was also also Lebanese, and we had very at NDU was suggested. All the identified, with other programs as productive talks about joint officials at Sydney University are Arts, Theology and Environmental programs. There is an urgent need ready to visit NDU and take Sciences. to establish training centers and discussions further. the TAFE is willing to offer all the The Director of International facilities and resources. Contact was made with the Relations at Macquarie University International Education Officer of explained that they are considered NDU already has an agreement Notre Dame University in Perth. It to be the number one study- with the University of Western is a sister university with the abroad destination in Australia. Sydney. There were meetings with American Notre Dame of Illinois. The meeting included the Director the International Officer, the Dean We exchanged information and of The Centre for Middle East and of the College of Arts, Education discussed future programs. They North African Studies, the Manager and Social Sciences and with the are very interested in establishing of International Development and Head of the School of Language contact with a Notre Dame in the the Marketing Coordinator. and Linguistics. Discussions were Middle East. Contact was also Macquarie is also the home of the also conducted with the Language established with Curtin University National Centre for English. They Course Advisor. We spoke about and Griffith University in Perth. have a reputation for high-quality future programs and plans. programs. There was great The University of Queensland in enthusiasm for establishing an The Australian-Lebanese Chamber Brisbane and The University of exchange program with NDU and I of Commerce (ALC) has an Technology in Queensland also was given a draft MOU. Our excellent reputation and is active in expressed great interest. discussion was very effective. promoting all facets of Lebanon. Words of gratitude are to be The University of New South Wales Very productive discussions were extended to President Khattar, is another prominent institution. conducted with the International VP Mr. Rizk, Mr. Murr, Miss Obeid There were meetings with the College of Tourism and Hotel and Dr. Hashem. They contributed Associate Director of Study Abroad Management and with the Blue greatly to the overall success of this and the Program Mangers of short Mountains Hotel Management mission. Special appreciation goes courses. They offer short programs School. The International Affairs out to Tile Depot/Colour Tile and where students can go out with a personnel were very interested in Australian Consulting Engineers for faculty member for a certain learning more about NDU and their full support. research project or internships. with follow-up; there is a positive outlook for future agreements. SBS Radio conducted one interview The Australian Catholic University in Arabic. The broadcaster was is a multi-campus institution that The New South Wales Department Lebanese and it was organized by excels in Nursing and Education. A of Education and Training initiate the ALC and was met with vigour. meeting was held with the Director technical degrees and programs Diego; again a very successful networking procedure that has recruited students from USA to come to NDU and especially for the Summer Arabic Program.

It has been another very fruitful academic year both inside and The Press Conference had (Gulf Education and Training outside Lebanon. Overall, more prominent newspapers that cover Exhibition) in Dubai, UAE. There than 300 schools were visited by Lebanon and the Arab World – Al were over 350 universities, the Admissions Office of Main Nahar, Future, The Herald and institutions and training Campus, NLC and SC. Now it is The Telegraph. The Press organizations from all over the time to end one academic year Conference was attended by world and more than 20,000 and start another; applications for educational, religious, people visited this year. NDU 2005-2006 are being submitted. governmental and business exposure was exceptional and officials. NDU literature and press many contacts were made. In During 2004-2005, we releases in both English and addition, schools in Dubai, Abi experienced success with the Arabic were distributed. A general Dhabi and Sharjah were visited. Association of Directors of overview of Lebanon and Admissions and Orientation Education was given and NDU As members of the NAFSA, the organizing School Forums in facts and statistics were offered. Association of International Tripoli, Akkar, Saida and Zahle. The objectives of the visit to Education, the Admissions Office We have plans to expand our Australia were listed. The feedback attended the 57th annual activities during 2005-2006. We of my visits and what we aim for in Conference that was held in are coordinating well with each the future were mentioned and we Seattle, Washington this year. The other, keeping “healthy spoke about the establishment of theme of this year’s conference competition” our goal. In addition, the Friends of NDU. This was was “Opening Minds to the Global we are collaborating with the warmly welcomed. Community”. There were over Secretary General of the Catholic 6,000 accomplished colleagues Schools in Lebanon to enhance In general, the recruitment and from more than 90 countries. relationship between our schools promotional visit to Australia was Fresh ideas and new skills were and universities. an extremely fruitful event. The acquired from workshops that objectives were met and there will revitalized knowledge-based We wish you all continued success definitely be follow-up visits with all strategies. Inspiration was offered and good health and the those concerned. We wish the best by renowned speakers and activists Admissions Office wishes NDU for Lebanon and Australia and and new perspectives were shared continued prosperity and hope that these two great nations among colleagues who face the development. The Admissions will prosper always. same challenges in education. Office Staff are to be thanked for Most importantly, the networking their efforts: Miss Pascale Abi Rizk, Thereafter, there was a recruitment was a very promising opportunity Mrs. Karine Saadeh, Mrs. Mirna visit to Amman, Jordan, where to capitalize on tomorrow’s Sfeir, Mr. Mario Kozaily, Miss about fifteen schools were visited. international education and Marise Abboud, Miss Nancy Rizk, Orientation sessions were given exchange. and Mr. Farid Haykal. and application forms were completed. Another annual event that the God bless you and may the Blessed Admissions Office attended was Virgin guide us always. See you next The Admissions Office also the NAM (National Apostolate of year! participated in the annual GETEX Maronites) convention in San

8 9 WEERC

WEERC Workshop for Chekka pilot area

The workshop, organised by the NDU Water, Energy and Environment Research Centeer intergrAted waTer managEment. (WEERC) in association with Mr Philippe Ker Rault says the Meditate and in cooperation with MEDITATE project aims at the School of Water Sciences at developing water scarcity Cranfield University, UK, was held management in the Mediterranean in the Pierre Abou Khatter Hall catchment, using karst submarine between Thursday and Friday the springs, desalination and re-use. 9th and 10th of June, 2005. The aim of the NDU workshop was Work Package 2 aims at water to build a water vision and governance and improved use by The first workshop process was scenario of social and economic social surveys and cost- entitled Construction of a livelihood drivers. Work Package 2 was effectiveness analysis, vision, Social and Economic devoted to the socio-economic concentrating on the vision for Development. The second process, analysis of water demand, 2025 to determine the scenarios to held in the afternoon, dealt with availability and needs. be used in WP4. The foundation How water supports social and for WP2 is the data about case- economic development. Mediterranean countries have long study areas, their political experience of water scarcity and its circumstances, socio-economic The third workshop process, held management, and now condition, ecological and sanitary in the morning of Friday, dealt governments are facing increasing records, and geographical and with implications of water use, demands. Karst aquifers are an demographical backgrounds. The trade-off and conflicts, to define a interesting potential source of high WP2 inter-disciplinary tram has to Business as usual Scenario and value, so far under-exploited. For conduct research in a way that can then the boundary condition for countries without them, integrated finally produce a comparative extreme scenario. water management is a key analysis. system, using various alternative MEDITATE is an acronym formed systems such as re-use and Philippe Ker Rault Work Package 2 from MEditerranean Development desalination. Such planning is the Coordinator of Innovative Technologies for core of the MEDITATE project. [email protected] LERC News Children of Lebanese From Left to right: Migrants in Australia Dr. Suliman’s son, H.E. Ambassador Stephanie Shwabsky, Lecture by Dr. Rosemary Suliman Dr. Suliman and her husband.

Children of Lebanese Migrants in Australia: Issues and Challenges was the title of a lecture organised by the Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC), under the patronage of Her Excellency Stephanie Shwabsky, Ambassador Arabic Women’s Award, in 1999, of Australia to Lebanon. The only 7.8% of Lebanese fathers as well as the UWS Vice lecture, held on Thursday, April were in professional or Chancellor’s Award for Social 7th, 2005, in the NDU Main paraprofessional jobs. Justice, in 2004. Campus Auditorium, was moderated by Dr. Amal Saleeby Dr. Suliman rejected the theories Dr. Suliman stressed the issue of Malek, Assistant Professor in the according to which the Lebanese Lebanese children’s poor school Faculty of Humanities, and students were performing poorly achievement in Australian schools presented by Dr. Rosemary because of family factors alone, as compared to that of other Suliman, Senior Lecturer at the that is to say the family’s socio- students of both English and non- University of Western Sydney, economic background and family English-speaking background. Her Bankstown. culture and values, which at times study targeted a total of 271 “year did not encourage education, and 9” students in three high schools in Dr. Suliman is a pioneer in the the mismatch between school and south-western Sydney: an all-boys field of teaching Arabic in home culture, “because in some school, an all-girls school and a Australia; she has also gained a instances the minorities who differ co-educational school. The reputation for her contribution to more in language and culture number of Lebanese students in curriculum and syllabus from the dominant group are the these schools amounted to 117, development, as well as for ones who are more successful at most of whom were Australian- training teachers in the field of school,” and because “the born, although only 11.8% of their language-teaching methodology. Lebanese are the dominant culture fathers were born in Australia. In addition to international in those schools, since almost 76% Hardly ever, however, had the recognition, her hard work has so of the schools’ population is parents of these children far earned her the Australian Lebanese,” Dr. Suliman added. completed their education and

10 11 Dr. Rosemary Suliman addresses her specialised audience.

Dr. Suliman however gave much more credit to the assumption according to which historical and social factors very much determine school performance. The oppositional cultural frame of reference the Lebanese students have come to develop, and which other migrant students have not, is mainly due to the distinction once the war was over, the chain between autonomous immigrant migration with the tendency to Suliman, the situation became minorities and caste-llike settle close to each other without worse with September 11 and with minorities. Immigrant minorities feeling the need to become a number of local offences are those who “moved more or involved in the major institutions of committed by members of the less voluntarily to their host the country’s life and, to make Lebanese community in Sydney. As society”; they perceive school matters worse, the economic a result, Lebanese youth “stay credentials as a key to depression in Australia. Lebanese together” and regard advancement and eventually “Aussies” with disrespect. achieve upward mobility. However, The Lebanese-born are the sixth caste-like minorities are the largest immigrant group in Sydney, Dr. Suliman concluded her talk on minorities which become most of whom arrived over a a very positive note, stating that “incorporated into a society more period of about six years (with a recently the problems of the or less involuntarily and thousand immigrants arriving each Lebanese youth had been permanently through slavery, month), placing financial and addressed by the Lebanese groups conquest or colonization and are social burdens on the existing and associations throughout New exploited by the dominant group” Lebanese-born population. The South Wales with the help of the and that is when these immigrant children of this last group of government bodies. The main minorities’ children experience Lebanese immigrants were born in objectives of these projects were downward assimilation. Australia, but of parents who providing parent/family support; migrated during the 1970’s and improving communication between who lived through the aftermath of parents of non-English-speaking The third wave of Lebanese the Gulf War, September 11, and background and the schools; and emigrants adhere to the last the Iraqi War. In addition to these improving literacy and numerical group, not because they were immigrants’ poor economic and skills, as well as establishing a persecuted and exploited but welfare conditions, third-phase Tutorial Centre and homework because of certain reasons to Lebanese-Australians also suffer centers at some schools. The which Dr. Suliman attributes this from the “be loyal or go back promotion of positive images of bitter reality, namely the little home” syndrome which reflects the the Lebanese communities was economic security that these Australian community’s tendency also on the agenda. migrants had upon arrival in to accuse them of being disloyal to Australia, their limited literacy, Australia and of threatening its Report by Marie-José Tayah, their hope of returning to Lebanon social cohesion. According to Dr. International Affairs and Diplomacy Student LERC Forum Residents and Emigrants: Together for a New Lebanon and a New Generation

This title well indicates the theme of the important forum held at Notre Dame University, Zouk Campus, on Wednesday and Mr. Gebran Tueni, General Thursday, May 4th and 5th, 2005, by the Lebanese Emigration Director of the An-Nahar Center (LERC) of NDU in cooperation with the Student Cabinet. newspaper, Mr. Raed It was distinguished by speakers who included eminent Sharafeddine, Professor of personalities and specialists. Leadership and Strategic Management and Board Member of the Imam Al-Sadr Foundations, At the opening session starting at Patriotic Movement, Mr. Edgar and Dr. Abdo Kahi, Professor and 9.00 a.m. on Wednesday, the Barakat, Head of Continuing Coordinator of the NDU Lebanese speakers were Mr. Suheil Matar, Education at NDU and Reformist Center for Social Research, NDU Director General of Public Kataeb President of Student Affairs, Relations, Reverend Father Boutros Elie Shamoun, National Liberal Outside speakers were Dr. Hadia Tarabay, NDU President, Party President of Student Affairs, Haikal-MMukhtar, Fellow of the Dr. Ameen Albert Rihani, V.-P. for Mr. Omar Harqous, Democratic Royal Australian College of Sponsored Research and Socialist Party President of Student General Practitioners, and Development, Ms. Guita Hourani, Affairs, and Mr. Nader Al Naqeeb, Dr. Rashid Rahmeh, Fellow of the Associate Director of LERC, President of Student Affairs in the (British) Royal College of Surgeons, Mr. Rock Chlala, President of the Mustaqbal (Future) Party. Vice President of the Political Student Cabinnet, and General Council of the Lebanese Forces Michel Aoun speaking from There were two outside speakers, Abroad, and World Vice President overseas. namely Dr. Sami Aoun, Professor of the World Cultural Lebanese of Political Science, University of Union. The first session, starting at 11.15, Sherbrooke, Canada, and had as its title, “Is there a Unified Dr. Richard Koyomjian, Member of Lunch was at 2.00 p.m. and at Citizen Concept for Lebanese the Political Council of the 3.30 the third session opened with Residents and Emigrants?” The Lebanese Forces Abroad, LBC Anchor Mr. Walid Abboud as moderator was Mrs. May Chidiac, Washington. Moderator. The subject was LBC Anchor. The speakers were “Migration and Democracy in Mr. Pierre Gemayel, M.P., “The Role of Education and the Lebanon and the Middle East”. Mr. Ibrahim Kanaan, Head of the Media in the Development of The speakers were Mr. Nazem el- International Affairs and Relations Citizenship” was the theme of the Khoury, M.P., Dr. Michel Nehmeh, Committee of the Beirut Lawyers’ second session, which started at Dean of Political Science, Public Syndicate, Mr. Roland Khoury, 11.30 with Mr. Rafiq Khoury, Administration and Diplomy at President of the Youth Committee Editor-in-Chief of Al-Anwar, as NDU, Dr. Youssef Kamal el-HHage, and Student Affairs in the Free Moderator. The speakers were Professor of Physics and

12 13 Mohammed Hussein al-AAmeen, Mr. Gebran Bassil, Member of the Committee for Political Communication in the Free Patriotic Movement, Mr. Tony Haddad, President of the Lebanese philosophy researcher, Dr. Paul Relations of the Hizbullah Party American Council for Democracy, Salem, Director of the Fares and member of its Political Bureau, and from outside Ms. Ileana-RRos Foundation, and Mr. Eliot Engel, The Hon. Dr. Youssef Saadallah Lehtinen, Member of the American Member of the US Congress from el-KKhoury, former President of the Congress. outside. State Shawra Council and Director General of Legal and The closing session started at 4.45 On Thursday at 9.15 a.m. the Administrative Affairs in the p.m., with Mr. Zahi Wehbeh as fourth session opened with LBC Lebanese Presidency, Dr. Ahmad Moderator and Mr. Toni Anchor Mr. Toni Salameh as Fatfat, M.P., Mr. Naji al-BBoustany, Nasrallah, lawyer and member of Moderator. The theme of this M.P., former Minister, and from the Media Committee of the Free session was “Connecting Lebanese outside Mr. Ramzi al-RRihani, Patriotic Movement. There was a Emigrants with the Economy of President of Friends of NDU in the round table with Mr. Walid Eido, Lebanon: Reality and Aspiration”. USA. M.P., Dr. Mosbah al-AAhdab The speakers were Mr. Nabil Itani, , M.P., Dr. Khaled Hadadeh Chairman and General Manager At midday the sixth session opened , General of the Investment Development with Dr. Ziad Njeim, Anchor at Al- Secretary of the Lebanese Mr. Naaman Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), Hurra, as Moderator. The theme Communist Party, Mrad Mr. Nassib Ghobril, economist was “Lebanese Emigrants’ Right to , founding member of the and researcher on migrants’ Vote”. Speakers were Mr. Ghassan National Union of Students, Mr. Habib Younes, journalist, remittances, Mr. Pierre Ashkar, Mokheiber, M.P., Mr. Nematallah Mr. Ramzi Kanj, representative of President of the Lebanese Hotel Abi Nasr, M.P., Mr. Samir the Free Patriotic Movement, Association and CEO of Hotel Franjiyeh of the Qornet Shehwan Mr. Eddy Abillama, Representative Monroe, Dr. Elie Yachoui’, NDU Gathering, and The Hon. Joseph of the Lebanese Forces, and Dean of Business Administration L. Boohaker, judge, Birmingham, Mr. Hikmat Deeb and Economics, and Dr. Riad USA, and from outside, Mr. Toufic , representative of Aweida, partner of Aweida &Co., Baaklini, member of Friends of the Free Patriotic Movement. There Management Consultancy NDU, Washington, and was also an external intervention Ms. Regina Sneifer Division. Mr. Paul Michael Wihbey, Mr. George Beshara, businessman by , journalist President of Global Water & and former President of World and geopolitical analyst, speaking Energy Strategy Team, Lebanese Cultural Union, Mexico. from France. Washington, D.C. and Mr. Nick Dagher, businessman in South At 3.30 after lunch the seventh At 5.45 p.m. the following Africa, spoke from outside. session opened with Mrs. Shaza presented recommendations and Dr. Ameen Albert Omar, LBC Anchor, as Moderator. conclusions: Rihani Ms. Guita Hourani At 10.30 the fifth session, with The title was “The Lebanese , , Dr. Abbdo Kahi Father Boulos Mr. Walid Abboud again as Emigration Lobby and the UN , Wehbe Moderator, dealt with the subject International Resolutions”. , Director of the NDU of “Electoral Systems Used in Speakers were Dr. Abdallah Abou Student Affairs Office, and Ms. Betty Hindi, Forum Lebanon as Compared to those Habib, former Ambassador to the Coordinator. Used in the World”. The speakers United States and currently adviser were Mr. Kamal Feghali, election to former Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Valerie Aoun specialist, Mr. Nawwaf al Issam Fares, Dr. Fares Seaid, M.P., of NDU was in Moussawi, Head of International H.E. the Erudite Sheikh charge of the simultaneous interpretation team. 4th Millennial Lecture Series 2004-2005

Religion/Science Interface: Explorations

Dr. William Grassie on Universal Reason: Religion and the Foundations of Civil Society

On Tuesday, 16th April, 2005, advocacy organisations in Dr. Doumit Salameh, Chair of the Washington, D.C., Jerusalem, referring in particular to the Department of Social and Berlin and Pennsylvania, P.A.. He problems of Islamic society in Behavioral Studies, Faculty of is the recipient of a number of facing the question of the relation Humanities, presented Dr. William academic awards and grants from between science and religion. He Grassie, who gave a talk on the American Friends Service admitted that he was not giving Universal Reason: Religion and the Committee, the Roothbert the United States as the best Foundations of Civil Society. Fellowship and the John model, for there also there were Templeton Foundation. He is a religious fundamentalists, in this William “Billy” Grassie, Ph.D., is member of the Society of Friends case of Christian tradition. founder and executive director of (Quakers), famous for both their the Metanexus Institute on Religion opposition to war and their heroic Dr. Boulos Sarru’, Dean of the and Science (www.metanexus.net), humanitarian service on the Faculty of Humanities, with a which currently runs some 300 world’s most dangerous biblical and Miltonic background, projects at universities in 36 battlefields. took up the theme of Paradise countries. He also serves as Lost. Referring to the particular executive director of the Institute’s Introducing the speaker, roles of Adam and of Eve, he said online magazine and discussion Dr. Doumit Salameh alluded to the that there was the question of forum with over 140,000 monthly influence of Tertullian on whether the forbidden fruit was a page views and over 6,000 philosophical and religious satanic or divine device to develop subscribers in 57 different thinking and spoke of the influence rationality. After what the audience countries. He has taught at Temple of Plato and Aristotle favouring a had just heard, they might University, Swarthmore College correct balance between the one consider the question of the and the University of Pennsylvania. and the many in Jewish, Muslim complementarity of science and Grassie received his doctorate in and Christian thought, against the religion, while there was a need to religion from Temple University in tendency to reduce religion to a go beyond the individual. Here 1994 after a BA from Middlebury question of psychological state. Dr. Sarru’ delved into Greek College in 1979. Prior to graduate lexicography and the meaning of school, he worked for ten years in Dr. William Grassie developed the meta, beyond, key to the activity of religiously-based social service and themes of the Metanexus Institute, the Metanexus Institute.

14 15 As usual, there was keen own thorough reading and study convictions and in their areas of discussion on the floor and of the article. In the February, expertise. Christian and Muslim afterwards during refreshments. 2003 meeting, Dr. Alam presented scholars from various academic Thomas Howard’s Providence in disciplines and from various The following information C.S. Lewis’ “Space” Triology from institutions in Lebanon are involved concerning Metanexus has been the Fall 2002 edition of in these activities. The group has kindly provided by Dr. Edward Communio. As a result of this Eastern-Rite Catholics (Maronites Alam. It comes from the particular presentation, the group and Melkites}, Eastern Orthodox, introduction to a special issue of gradually became more and more Mennonites and Sunni and Shiite Palma, with some omissions and aware of the importance of the Muslims, from various departments editing. A report on the talk given by Dr. Eric Weislogel will be found religion/science dialogue, as the of Physics, Behavioral Science, theme of “providence” naturally Philosophy, Theology, Political in issue 32 of NDU Spirit. leads in so many ways to the Science, and Computer Science. intersection between science Finally, a word of special thanks The second volume in the special (especially the natural sciences) goes to Dr. William Grassie, series edition of NDU Palma brings and faith. The group then decided Founder and Executive Director of to publication both the formal and to apply for funding from the the Metanexus Institute, and informal presentations made by Metanexus foundation of Religion Dr. Eric Weislogel, Director of the various scholars, primarily from and Science in Philadelphia Metanexus Local Society Initiative, NDU’s Communio/LSI Study Circle, (www.metanexus.net), which boasts both of whom visited Lebanon from 2002-2005, which grew out of 300 projects with colleges and during the 2004-2005 academic of NDU Lebanon’s Communio universities in 37 countries, to year to show support for the NDU Study Circle, which was established support the establishment of Communio/LSI Local Society, and in 1996 by Dr. Edward J. Alam, an another study group that would who delivered lectures in NDU’s Associate Professor of Philosophy focus on themes related to the Millennial Lecture Series. These at Notre Dame Univeristy, Louaize, religion/science dialogue. The lectures are also published here. Lebanon. Like other Communio group was awarded a three-year (EJA) Study Circles worldwide, the group grant and took the name NDU’s meets monthly to discuss articles Communio/Local Society Initiative from the International Catholic (LSI) study circle. The group held Excerpts from the NDU Review, Communio. NDU’s monthly meetings during its first Communio/LSI Annual Report Communio Study Circle has been year of funded activity, and for 2003-2004 particularly interested in books and produced television programs on As the initial installment check of articles that address the relation Télélumière, Lebanon, during its $5,000.00 was not cashed until between faith and reason. second year of funded activity. the end of December, the group Members take turns in presenting Both the Communio Study Circle finally began its proposed activities articles from the journal to the and the Communio/LSI Study in January, 2004, with serious group, though all members come Circle boast of a rich diversity in planning at a meeting involving all to the meetings prepared by their their member’s religious the members of the group. The Millennial Lecture Series

first seminar took place on Roger Hajjar began his two hour could be the basis of any sort of February 12, 2004 beginning presentation titled Gaining relativity theory in ethics, as some promptly at 8:30 a.m. with a Perspectives: A Crash Course in moral philosophers and others general introduction by the group’s Newton, Part One. Part two of the have suggested. On March 31, chairman, Edward Alam, session continued at 3:00 p.m. 2004, the group worked on the addressing (1) the reasons why he and was much of the same and narrative for the supplementary believed NDU was awarded ended with this important insight, grant, wherein they studied and funding,(2) the execution of the quite startling to some: Newtonian applied the then recently published stated proposal and (3) the three- physics was not totally and utterly UNDP’s Arab Human Development year plan. Dr. Alam then “absolute,” but had an important Report of 2003. The third all-day introduced the group to the dimension of “relativity.” The seminar took place on April 13, thought of Stanley L. Jaki, relying March meeting took place 2004 with the Reverend Ross Frey heavily on Jaki’s latest work, A following roughly the same format presenting chapter two of Miracles Mind’s Matter: An Intellectual of the February meeting, with Dr. and Physics in the morning and Biography. In January, the group Edward Alam giving a thorough Dr. Yussef El-Hage making a had decided to begin its reading presentation of both the presentation on Heisenberg’s activities with Jaki’s Miracles and Introduction and the first chapter of Inevitable Imprecision of Atomic Physics, rather than with The Miracles and Physics. In the Measurements during the Relevance of Physics, as the afternoon Dr. Yussef El-Hage afternoon session. In May of 2004, original proposal stated. The presented Beyond Newton: the group’s chairman made an progression of the former Einstein’s Relativity and other informal presentation of his paper, corresponded better to the idea of Relative Matters. Just as the “Philosophy, The Only Solid Bridge getting a crash course in Physics “relative” dimension in Newton’s Between Religion and Science”, to from two of the group’s able physics came as a surprise to the group in order to get their physicists, Dr. Roger Hajjar and some members of the group feedback before traveling to Dr. Yussef El-Hage, who wanted to during the previous seminar, so Philadelphia for the annual meet the goals of the stated too did the “absolute” dimension conference, where he presented proposal by dividing up their of Einstein’s theory of relativity the paper. On June 22, 2004, presentations into Physics “before” come as a surprise to other Dr. Alam reported back to the the twentieth century and Physics members. Dr. El-Hage stressed group on the activities that took “in” the twentieth century. The that Einstein’s great discovery place during the annual chairman decided to put off the really consisted in seeing that if the Metanexus conference, and some reading of the text until the group’s speed of light was taken as members watched a portion of the non-physicist members could get “absolute”, independent even of its C.D. of the last annual conference, re-acquainted with the major source, then the form and which he had purchased during movements in physics over the last “beauty” of Maxwell’s equations the conference. The bulk of the three centuries, since this was one could be left intact. Both June 22 2004 meeting consisted in of the stated goals for the first presentations attacked the idea a highly charged and interesting year. Thus, by 11:00 am, Dr. that Einstein’s theory of relativity discussion of Friedrich’s

16 17 Millennial Lecture Series

Dürrenmatt’s award-winning play, The Physicists, which the members had been assigned to read in January. Dr. Eugene Sensenig- Dabbous, a political scientist, Series to an impressive audience presented the play. His of about one hundred persons. presentation was extremely The talk generated much interest insightful, as he had studied the in the idea of being part of an play in Germany in the original internationally active community of remarkable discussion of the German while earning his M.A. in scholars, laypeople, and clergy, philosophical roots of the concept German literature. Although no dedicated to the promotion of the of freedom in both the West and in regular meetings took place during religion/science dialogue as a way Islam. And his work on the essence the summer months, the group of restoring a badly needed unity of emergence as related to agreed to read Jaki’s The Savior of to both scholarly and religious life. developments in contemporary Science. In September, the group’s On October 16, Dr. Weislogel met physics is indeed cutting-edge chairman met with the Executive with Dr. Habib Malik and philosophy of science. Dr. Alam, Director, Mr. Raymond F. Nader, Dr. Richard Khuri, both of whom Dr. Malik, Dr. Khuri, and of Noursat/Télélumière T.V. are professors at Lebanese Dr. Weislogel had a round-table Station, a Catholic television American University. Dr. Habib discussion on the religion/science station and asked whether the Malik is the son of the late Charles dialogue, which was televised by station, would be interested in Malik, who was one of the Noursat/Télélumière. As a result of beginning a new program dealing principal drafters of the Universal their meetings with Mr. Nader and with the relationship between Declaration of Human Rights, and Mr. Kallas, General Manager and religion and science, with Arabic who was President of the thirteenth part owner of subtitles, dedicated to the session of the United Nation’s Noursat/Télélumière, the station religion/science interface, that General Assembly. Habib is deeply decided to make a religion/science would be broadcast worldwide as interested in the relation between program oone of their chief long- well as in the Middle East. During religion and science, in general, term priorities. On October 20, the many discussions of this issue and in the relation between the Dr. Weislogel met with the the idea emerged of inviting the Catholic Church and Astronomy, members of NDU’s LSI group, and Director of the LSI of the in particular, just as his father, in his closing remarks to the group Metanexus Institute, Dr. Eric Charles, was. Dr. Weislogel was genuinely Weislogel, to Lebanon, as a way of moved by what the members had kicking off the program. Dr. Khuri has an international shared with him. In his own words, Dr. Weislogel graciously accepted reputation for his publications in “the meeting confirmed my the invitation and on the 15th of philosophy and in the philosophy conviction that what we are doing October, Dr. Weislogel delivered of science. His book, Freedom, at Metanexus can (and already the opening lecture at Notre Dame Modernity, and Islam: has) really changed the world for University’s Millennial Lecture Toward a Creative Synthesis is a the better.” Millennial Lecture Series

Dr. Joseph Bechara on What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?

Dr. Bechara declared that he was Physics Curriculum in the LNCRS not himself a religious believer, th At 5 p.m. on Friday, 20 May, Science, Technology and unlike other speakers in the series. 2005, Dr. Joseph Bechara spoke Innovation Programmes (STIP), as But he did believe that religion, in Friends’ Hall at the invitation of well as acting as coordinator for like science, had its distinctive and the Department of Social and the University Committee for complementary role to play. For Behavioral Studies, Faculty of Scientific Research. He developed example, science could study Humanities, in the framework of a project for a Transfaculty, cloning, at least with animals, but th the 4 Millennial Lecture Series on Transdisciplinary Doctoral School it was for religion to deal with the the Religion/Science Interface, with for Science Technology and Health moral aspects. It could also the Department head, Dr. Doumit Sciences which was established in oppose the prejudices that falsify Salameh in the chair. 2005. He delivers lectures on science, which cannot be taken out invitation, free of charge, on of its cultural context. The work of Doctor Bechara is Chairman of the Physics, Environmental Science, science was to explain observable Physics Department of the History and Philosophy of Science, phenomena but it could not reach Lebanese University and Director Lateral Thinking, Science Teaching, absolute truth. The reality behind of the LU Franco-Lebanese Evaluation and associated subjects. phenomena was inaccessible to Doctoral School for Sciences, science. Technology and Health (STS), as Introducing the speaker, well as Director of the APpoLOS Dr. Doumit Salameh in the chair The scope of religion lay in faith, Research Laboratory, Faculty of referred to ancient Alexandria, and the object of faith was God, Sciences. After graduation he where the conflict between Greek and its content was knowledge obtained a scholarship for thought represented by Philo’s about God. The Church must do graduate studies and specialised philosophy, and Christian theology what it does best, and one thing it with a Master in Optoelectronics represented by Tertullian, resulted could do was to purify science. and a Ph.D. in Laser Physics. After in a rich mixture that prepared the work in the U.K., Germany and way for the two dominant Christian Dr. Boulos Sarru’, Dean of Canada, he returned to Lebanon Fathers of the Church, namely Humanities, wittily thanked the in 1994 and joined the LU Physics Augustine and Aquinas among speaker for dealing with a sphere Department, founding a research others. that always leaves more questions laboratory in Laser and Optical than it gives answers. Science and Spectroscopy with a grant from the Dr. Bechara said that when Faith crossed, diverged and LNCRS. He developed a novel preparing his talk, Tertullian’s crossed again. strategy for the development of phrase about Athens and research capacities in the Faculty Jerusalem struck him as the perfect Dr. Bechara dealt with questions of Sciences, culminating in the title. He went on to define scientific from the floor, coming from establishment in 2002 of a Master thought and religious thought and academics who often did not share in Nanostructures and Smart their relationship, adding that the his personal attitude to faith but Materials. He has authored and scientific method could not have did share his belief in openness of published much in these fields, developed in a world dominated mind and the need for supervising over thirty Master and by pantheism instead of by belief understanding different opinions, Ph.D. theses. Dr. Bechara in one transcendent Creator thanks and the very agreeable participated in the development to Judaism and Christianity in interchange continued during and implementation of the New particular. refreshments.

18 19 Cross Cultural Symposium at NDU

Hosting Professors from the American University, Washington, DC

Five instructors from the American various areas such as filmmaking, University (AU) in Washington, D.C., photography, new media technology, joined their colleague Ms. Brigid public diplomacy, and media studies. Maher, a Fullbright Scholar who is Some faculty members and students teaching this semester at NDU, for from the Department of Mass the Symposium organized by Communication also presented their Ms. Maher and the Department of work during the Symposium. Many Mass Communication, Faculty of Humanities, from May 26 to 28, at students, faculty members, and NDU’s main campus in Zouk guests from outside the University Mosbeh. The guests presented a attended. Following is a rundown of series of lectures and workshops in the Symposium’s proceedings:

> Thursday, May 26: Dr. Doumit up with the communication In session one, Professor Leena Salameh, Acting Dean of the industry’s latest trends and Jayaswal from AU gave a visual Faculty of Humanities, opened the technologies. Dr. Ajami also presentation on the history of conference on behalf of Dean expressed his hope that this manipulation and lies that Boulos Sarru’, and said that with symposium would plant the seed photographs have represented and the many things that Lebanon and for future collaboration with the the ethical choices surrounding the the U.S. have in common, it only American University in Washington making and the interpretation of makes sense for there to be a as well as with other educational the single image. genuine partnership between these institutions worldwide. two societies at various levels, and In session two, Justin Schauble more specifically a partnership for The opening ceremony was from AU gave a visual a global human welfare based on attended by Dr. Ameen A. Rihani, presentation on the new media human dignity, transcending but technology and how it reshapes not ignoring race, creed, and other Vice-President for Research and the way media outlets and features of the cultures concerned. Development, Mr. Suheil Matar, Director of Public Relations, individuals share news and ideas Dr. Joseph Ajami, Chairman of the with the public. Department of Mass Dr. Assaad Eid, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Communication, welcomed the In session three, Dr. Rhonda participants and guests and spoke Design, faculty members, students Zahrana and Dr. Cynthia King of about NDU’s endeavors in keeping and guests. > Friday, May 27: the day started with a presentation by Mr. Kamal whereby he and some NDU Darouny, Assistant Professor of students presented their visual Advertising, on Satellite account of a day spent with a Communications in the Arab sample of Lebanese citizens in the World. He analyzed the change in streets of Tripoli and in downtown habits imposed by the new Beirut. superhighway and multimedia technology that affected the Professor Leena Jayaswal, lifestyles of the peoples of the Chairperson of the Photography region. Department at AU, conducted a Advertising and Marketing students workshop about “Identity Politics in presented their Senior Project to the Arts”. The presentation the audience, including individual showcased some artists’ works that presentations examining the focus on identity as a central methodology, creative concepts, theme. Contemporary artists have media planning, promotional AU discussed Public Diplomacy, been challenging the notions of strategy and public relations comparing it to traditional culture and gender by investigating aspects of the campaign. diplomacy and to propaganda. and critiquing stereotypes. They also examined the In the third session on Friday, a importance of symbols, images, Thursday’s events concluded with a follow-up discussion on public and messages in public diplomacy 90-minute night screening that diplomacy’s strategy and tactics for and their potential impact on featured the works of the guest Lebanon and other countries in the political changes. Dr. King artists from the American Mediterranean and the Arab explored the role grassroots University. Included in the session World was led by Dr. Zaharna and communication campaigns can were a video of still pictures taken Dr. King. play to prevent violent expression by Mr. Schauble, who is also a of social tensions, as recently in member of the White House The afternoon started with a Venezuela, Ukraine and Lebanon. Photographers Association, a video presentation by one of NDU’s of Dr. Jayaswal’s collection of graduate students, Mr. Serge In the afternoon, Professor Randal photos from India, land of her Dagher, who talked about Packer, artist, composer, and ancestors, and a satirical video propaganda techniques of both educator, conducted a workshop done by Dr. Packer in the Americans and Iraqis during the on mobile web-log or “Mob- aftermath of President Bush’s early stages of the American logging” as Artistic Reportage second-term inauguration.

20 21 invasion of Iraq two years ago. Dr. Khaled El-FFakih, Associate Professor at NDU, introduced the > Saturday, May 28: Professor subject and the speaker. Justin Schauble started his presentation on how AU’s faculty is the Studio staff, the Advertising Professor Packer’s presentation using technology to communicate Club and other unsung unveiled the results of his mob-log with the students. He also provided contributors. created during his stay in Lebanon a guided tour of AU’s wireless in which he transmitted photos, infrastructure. The visiting faculty joined the video, audio, and commentary on The participants then broke up into Department, Dr. Salameh, and the current political situation in two groups to evaluate the 3-day Dr. Christine Sabieh, the Lebanon. He also led a discussion conference and exchange ideas for Chairperson of the Department of on the role of the artist as future collaboration between the Education and English, for a great mediator and the use of two institutions. Recommendations Lebanese lunch at a local multimedia for social and political will be submitted to Dr. Sarru’, restaurant where they experienced transformation. Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. another aspect of Lebanese culture. The American guests had In the evening, at the Auditorium, At the conclusion of this historic spent an entire day before the there was a screening session at symposium, the co-organizers of symposium sightseeing in various which it was Notre Dame the event, Dr. Ajami and parts of Lebanon and also spent University’s students’ turn to show Ms. Brigid Maher, summarized the two hours at Lebanon’s leading TV their creative work in the areas of proceedings and activities of the station, LBC, checking its documentary making, advertising, conference and thanked all those operations and facilities. directing and acting. A lively who contributed to its impressive discussion followed, led by the success, especially the guests from It has truly been a memorable visitors from AU and moderated by AU, NDU faculty and students, the symposium and Dr. Cynthia King, Professor Maher. Among the President of NDU Father Boutros one of the visiting faculty, summed participants was the newly Tarabay, who met AU’s professors, it up beautifully when she appointed Cultural Attaché at the the Director of Administration remarked “You Lebanese have a American Embassy in Lebanon. Father Roger Chikri and his staff, lot to teach the world.” North Campus News From left to right: Mr. Salim Karam, Bishop A Workshop: Lebanese Architecture, Paul Guy Njeim, Mr. John Mufarrej, Mr. Suheil Matar, Rev. Boulos Wehbe and by Writers and Historians Miss Louba Naufal.

In the framework of the human thought and imagination the human aspect affirming the University’s Cultural Workshop that inspired the writers and ties between the ancient and the series, NDU-NLC presented philosophers and the architects present. These recommendations another remarkable seminar on and engineers of our era. also stressed the need for restoring Lebanese Architecture in Literature old architectural sites and and History on Saturday, 5th of Dr. Zahida Darwich Jabbour buildings, supporting villagers in February, 2005. presented the audience with their hometowns and establishing outstanding descriptive statements stronger bonds between The workshop commenced with used by famous Lebanese writers townspeople and their former the National Anthem. Mr. Salim and their vocabulary that neighborhoods, and, last but not Karam, Director of NDU-NLC, commemorated the “Lebanese least, prioritizing the humanitarian opened the event with a word of Home” in the Lebanese Literature and social aspect over any other. welcome, stressing the issues that and the minds of generations. There was also the further question bring about intellectual progress, of launching a campaign of especially those of our cultural All the speakers stood on common traditional expositions and art heritage, issues that mold us into ground for preserving the edifice exhibits and urging the Ministry of being who we are at the present. of our heritage that maintained Culture to collect national Mr. Edgar Harb, the PR at NLC, our Lebanese folklore and literary treasures of the Lebanese folklore also had a word to say in culture, whether in poetry heritage such as popular proverbs presenting the professors and (»fÉæÑ∏dG πLõdG) or in essay. This also and traditional songs and personalities and the social and conserved the link with our publishing them in books to better cultural figures that lectured in this ancestors and brought vivid familiarize the public with their field and had left their personal imagery of the past. cultural and architectural heritage mark. along with the varied forms of The workshop terminated with a vocational and artistic Dr. Jean Touma, the initiator and set of recommendations focused craftsmanship whether in the arts coordinator of this seminar, on the need to expose our new or in architecture. emphasized the importance of generations to knowledge and conservation of the architectural information relevant to our cultural Report by: EDGAR MERHEB-HARB & heritage for safeguarding the and architectural heritage and to SUZANNE DANDAN

22 23 North Campus News

Workshop on Drug Abuse March 4th, 2005 – NDU-NLC The recommendations given by Mr. Edgar Merheb-HHarb, PR NLC, were as follows:

Under the auspices of HE Minister a nation or society, especially in El — Given that there is a sickness in of Education Dr. Ahmad Sami Koura; “It is time that we fill in the our society, it could be Minkara, and in coordination with gaps in this area, never to leave anywhere around us, in our the Lebanese Social Society in behind unattended matters, schools or our own homes. Koura and the Oum El Nour unconcerned due to negligence, — Given that the most popular association, NDU-NLC sponsored selfishness or outside interests. hang-outs for drug users are a workshop on drug abuse, causes Never submit to the will of others schools and universities, it is the and facets, the treatment and the but always retain the determination duty of these institutions to social consequences. to maintain our national liberty!” establish means to advocate awareness, resistance, Among those present were Bishop Bishop Njeim talked about how prognosis and rehabilitation. Guy Boulos Njeim, President of Oum El Nour had been launched, — Promoting acceptance for drug Oum El Nour, and Mr. Jean how it progressed and how it victims by their families and Moufarej, a member of the NDU developed into what it is today. He societies without shame for Board of Trusties and President of elaborated on its rehabilitation having them institutionalized or the Lebanese Social Society, along programs and the immense need treated. with a cluster of specialized for them, whether or not the public — Establishing psychological psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and was aware. counseling in all academic delegates from the Ministry of the institutions. Interior, all of whom provided Dr. Ahmad Sami Minkara himself — Establishing students’ aid valuable insight on how to offset spoke about the significance of groups (Connection) to spread this malady and counter its effects good upbringing, stressing awareness and take personal on our rising generations. Other attentiveness to our children who tactful initiatives by means of civic institutions and are the future of our societies. “friend-to-friend” representatives also attended. There were other interesting communication or word-of- lectures from Dr. Ameen Albert mouth (Observatory). After the National Anthem, the Rihani, PVP for Research and — Inviting more clergy to bear event was introduced by Mr. Suheil Development at NDU, Dr. Marie responsibility for the youth (with Matar, the NDU President’s Khoury, Dr. Mona Yazegi, due respect in this case to Counselor and Director of Public Dr. Mario Aoun, Dr. Sami Richa Bishop Guy Boulos Njeim). Relations, followed by the Director and Dr. Naiim Aswad, with a word — Supporting associations such as of NDU-NLC Mr. Salim Karam, from Miss Betty Hindi of NDU. Oum El Nour, and promoting who after welcoming the audience sports and social Clubs that emphasized that this workshop There were live testimonies by collaborate in the mental and was important for opening young ex-addicts who regretted physical well-being of the people’s eyes to the needs of their past and showed gratitude to young. Lebanon’s youth and the problems the people who cared for them — Urging all students able to face of their social integration. and helped them in overcoming the pressing unjust political and dependency. Miss Joel Moufarej economic challenges to launch Mr. Jean Moufarej pointed to the presented the views of young “Anti-smoking, Anti-drugs” need to demonstrate assertiveness people and described how much campaigns through the media towards our national destiny, to they needed emotional support, and in their local societies support our free choices and to not only from their families but REPORT BY: EDGAR MERHEB-HARB AND never compromise our integrity as also from the entire society. MRS SUZANE DANDAN Shouf Campus Shorts

1 2 1. From left to right: Dr. Roy Khoueri, Dr. George Eid and Mr. Suheil Matar. 2. Part of the attentive audience hearing about the future prospects at NDU of their high-school pupils. 3. Father Shawki Raffoul with other school directors. 4. Cutting the ceremonial cake.

3 4 Honouring High- School Principals As usual every year, NDU Shouf plotting against Lebanon. Those Campus invited the Principals of who were behind his murder had high schools in the surrounding A Martyr for Lebanon wanted to provoke strife and chaos districts to a meeting for general th in order to ruin Lebanon so it discussion, held this time on April On March 18 , 2005, NDU Shouf nd would never rise again. But what 2 , 2005 in the Al Mir Ameen Campus held a meeting to had happened was that all Palace. The guests were welcomed condemn the assassination of Lebanese, Christians and Muslims, by Campus Director Dr. Roy Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri under Khouery, NDU General Director of had joined together in the the title A Martyr for Lebanon. The Public Relations Mr. Suheil Matar movement of independence which principal speakers were media speaking on behalf of NDU had been sparked off by the crime experts Ali Hamadeh and Faisal President Father Boutros Tarabay and which would not be Sulman, who addressed OMM, V.-P. for Academic Affairs extinguished. The speaker then instructors, administrative staff and Dr. George Eid, and Director of listed Hariri’s many patriotic and students. Continuing Education Mr. Edgar humanitarian actions and Barakat. The NDU Department of attitudes. Continuing Education was the Mr. Faisal Sulman said that there object of particular attention, was no counting the reasons for Mr. Ali Hamadeh for his part concerning languages, information his grief at the death of Prime insisted on how Rafiq Hariri was a and various skills. Minister Rafiq Hariri, but man apart, open and democratic, principally he had had one life taking criticism and rising above it The event was organised by which he had sacrificed for his Mr. Farid Haikal, official of the while respecting the critic, always country. This country had been Admissions Office, and included working for the independence of worthy of Hariri and Hariri had the projection of a documentary Lebanon and wanting to bring been worthy of his country. If this throwing light on the various NDU about change. The result of his comparison was easy to make, the faculties and academic, social and murder was that now all stood by fact remained that whoever had cultural activities. Finally a dinner his side. The two speeches were plotted against Rafiq Hariri was was offered in honour of the followed by general discussion. guests.

24 25 1. A joyful Debkeh: the Shouf holds its traditions dear. 2. Visiting a laboratory. 3. Consultations and advice. Shouf Campus News 4. NDU is Catholic, which means open to all. 5. Mr. Farid Haikal and Dr. Roy Khouery. Shouf Open Doors The Shouf Admissions Office under Mr, Farid Haikal held its Open Doors event on April 27th, 2005, at its campus at Deir el-Qamar to welcome secondary school students from the Shouf, Rashaya, Zahleh, Aley, Shweiffat, Saida (Sidon), Nabatiyeh and the Iqleem. The occasion attracted hundreds of 1 2 students to meet the doctors of the various faculties, thanks to the cooperation between the University and the principals of the schools in the above-mentioned regions.

Those helping Mr. Haikal included Dr. Dany Bedran, Miss Marina Bou Karoum, Miss Myrna Karam, 4 Mr. Fady Khoury and Mr. Emil 3 Khoury. Success was largely due also to NDU students who played national interests. Mr. Sarkis a major role. Naoum considered that elections based on local constituencies Lebanon in Times of would best please voters and Change should be relied upon. He finally thanked Shouf Campus for the On MAY 11th, 2005, at the invitation to speak and wished the invitation of NDU Shouf Campus, students a prosperous future. the media specialist Sarkis Naoum 5 addressed the teaching body, students and their friends on the Marcel Ghanem, a changes taking place in Lebanon. familiar face He raised the question of what On May 18th, 2005, Mr. Marcel independence. Perhaps the hope there was for the formation Ghanem was the guest of Shouf sacrifice of Prime Minister Hariri of a true State following the Campus for a discussion with had hastened liberation from stagnation affecting the country students to throw light on a domination and police regime. between the years 1990 and number of topical subjects. After Mr. Ghanem considered that the present election law did not satisfy 2005. the playing of the Lebanese National Anthem and an voters and that another was needed to ensure sane The speaker remarked that introduction by Dr. Fouad Chedid, parliamentary representation. America had given Syria the green Mr. Marcel Ghanem lay stress on light to help Lebanon rebuild the the full execution of Syrian After the talk there were questions State on the basis of the Taef withdrawal, seeing it as the and expressions of opinion from Agreement, but many mistakes realisation of the national desire the floor, to which Mt. Ghanem were made during the following common to all communities. He replied. Finally he received a token 15-year period, with the result that added that the present generation was not one marked with gift from the University in the Lebanese had lost their will to submission and frustration, but appreciation of his role in public restore peace among themselves, one that had been patient in its information and his affection and reach agreement and serve their conviction about coming friendship for NDU. ETE Seminars

seminar session was Dr. Joyce In its series of ten seminars held at the Friend’s Hall, Notre Bahous. Dr. Bahous is widely Dame University, Zouk Mikhael, the Department of English, reknowned in Lebanon as an expert on Testing and Evaluation. Translation and Education endeavored to encourage She has not only published in the teachers from all over Lebanon to adopt learner-centered field but teaches courses on both education strategies and to continue to work with the the undergraduate and graduate student’s well-being at the heart of the school day. levels. Dr. Bahous’s session was entitled Evaluation in Today’s Classroom. Beginning with the The third speaker in the series was Translation, and Education gave premise that critical thinking is a Dr. Christine Sabieh, present Chair the fourth seminar on April 27th. must in today’s classroom, of the Department of English, Dr. Bahous outlined how to apply Translation and Education. The title of her presentation was reasoning in the design and Dr. Sabieh is well published in the Methods in the Classroom. correction of a test. Testing and field of CALL. She gave a Dr. Yazigy has long experience in evaluating students is an extremely presentation entitled, “Effective Use the field of Methodology of important task for teachers. The of Tools in the Classroom”. Using Teaching as she gives courses on future of each individual student the overhead projector, audio the Master’s Level in such subjects may rely on the professional cassette player, television, VCR as Teaching Reading and others. attitude taken by the classroom and computer to emphasize the In an inter-active session for a full teacher and the school as a whole. positive ways that students can be auditorium, Dr. Yazigy began by Dr. Bahous provided examples of motivated to learn in a pleasant defining the student-centered test items that could serve as a atmosphere, Dr. Sabieh proved classroom and focused on its basis for professional test that tools must be used effectively significance for all subject matters. preparation. She presented a in order to be useful. For those She exposed different approaches simple table teachers could use so schools which are not equipped to ensuring student-centered as to ensure all aspects of their with state-of-the-art tools, teaching of Maths, language, program are covered in an exam. Dr. Sabieh emphasized how geography and history. In a Dr. Bahous touched upon the simple it is to use a blackboard or student-centered classroom, the importance of writing clear, a whiteboard to their greatest teacher’s role is modified. The informative comments for the advantage. As a creative example teacher must guide the students to parents. Report cards must be of how simple it is to introduce learn; the teacher must be the sources of information for parents tools into the classroom, facilitator of the student’s quest. and students. In her conclusion, Dr. Sabieh demonstrated that the She emphasized that teachers in a Dr. Bahous emphasized the movie “Saving Nimo” could be student-centered classroom do not responsibility each teacher has in used to teach English, Maths and absent themselves from the distinguishing between a grade Science, as well as responsible learning experience, but they and an assessment. She also citizenship. The 250 teachers adapt the activities so that students presented her seminar at the Shouf present agreed that tools must be are able to grasp concepts in their campus of NDU on June 1st. applied and then evaluated in authentic form. In reality, teachers order to ensure that students in a student-centered classroom NDU is planning a new series of obtain the best education possible. must rise to the challenge of seminars for the upcoming Dr. Sabieh presented the same bringing learning alive to the academic year. Approximately seminar to an interested audience media-loving students of today’s 1800 teachers attended this year’s at the NDU Shouf campus on April world. Dr. Yazigy also gave her seminar series. For further 20th. seminar to teachers on the Barsa information you may write or call campus of NDU on May 11th. NDU at [email protected] Dr. Amal Yazigy, former Chair of or the Department of English, The last speaker of this year’s ext. 2425.

26 27 The ESU 5th Public Speaking Competition NDU Winner

On Saturday 9th April 2005, the English Speaking Union (ESU ) Lebanese Chapter held its 5th Public Speaking Competition national finals at Notre Dame University, Louaize.

The theme this year was “Differences and Diversity”. following universities: Beirut Arab, Universities had been invited to AUB, LAU, USJ and NDU. present two representatives aged between 18 and 20 to the finals. This year, the two Lebanese finalists are Samia Ahmed Badih This unique international ESU from Beirut Arab University and project is gaining in popularity for Hasan Younes from NDU. giving the opportunity to young London in November to national winners from all over the HSBC Lebanon is generously Buckingham Palace to receive world to meet in London and sponsoring this event for the his/her prize from the hands of express their views on topical second year running. This will H.R.H. Prince Philip, President of subjects. Locally, this programme allow the two finalists to attend the the ESU. has inspired some institutions, such International Competition in as the Makassed, to offer this London. There, an activity-packed All speakers received a project to their students. programme is arranged for the participation certificate and participants every year, including Librairie du Liban generously Since it began this competition at attendance at live debates at the offered them a gift of a dictionary. the British Council Beirut in 2000, House of Commons, debating It should be noted that at three out ESU Lebanon has moved the finals workshops, visits to the theatre etc. of five such competitions winners to a different university each year The finals take place at the end of have come from NDU, namely Pia (USJ, LAU, Haigazian). Winners the week and the International Zeinoun, Nayla Haber and now have been students from the winner is then invited back to Hassan Younes. NDU Founders’ Day ‘CELEBRATING THE CULTURES OF THE WORLD’ An Entertaining Cultural Event

1

Over 5000 people participated in the NDU FOUNDERS’ DAY on May 13, 2005 at the main campus, many coming from outside the University.

The day began with a Mass served by members of the Medjugorje Choir.

‘Celebrating the Cultures of the World’ was the theme of the day, with each NDU club portraying a specific culture in costume, dress and food.

Cultural quizzes added to the fun, 2 with gifts accompanied by much enthusiasm. Students, staff and faculty joined in the music, which highlighted the theme by featuring member from the Music and Mr. Pierre Boutros, seminarist, and Musicology Department. Mr. Elie Irani on behalf of Nescafe in the Varieties sequence which Professional Dances were was followed by the Jazz Quartet performed by the Nameless dance (Nidal Abou Samra and band). group offered by the Camping and Mr. Guy Manoukian and his band Music Clubs, by the students of were a huge success, in addition to Mr. Sami el Hajje and by the Salsa Oriental music and Fayrouziat by Promoters. Ms. Rania Younes, a Faculty 3

28 29 4 1. Nameless 2. Crowd at night 3. Manoukian and band 4. Advertising Club (day) 5. Beautiful faces (S) 6. Beautiful faces (D) 7. Fathers of NDU 8. Connections, anti-drug-addiction campaign

Nescafe was the main sponsor, and many restaurants and caterers complemented the scene.

A student talent show crowned the whole event, and was highlighted by the famous DJ Said Mrad, who wrapped up the evening 5 successfully past midnight.

Activities performed by the students: — Music Bands: Astronomy Band, Nemesis, Ziad Taouk and band, and Barsa Band — Dances: Advertising Club: 6 Italian dance, Debate Club: western dance, HTC Club: Egyptian dance, Social Club: Lebanese dance. — Songs: Social: Shaghig Filian, Tony Khalil. Music club: Sergio, who launched his new CD album. Advertising: Paula Brahim, Yvonne El Hashem. The opera voice of Salim Bannout was especially

appreciated. 7 — Zajal: Social Club — Games: Scouts Club, Advertising Club — Fireworks, Numchunko: Hadi Hajjar, Social — Poem: Samer Salem (8 years)

8 Fadia el Hagge, Mr Suheil Matar, Minister NDU Job Fair 2005 Kattar, Grace Khalil, Father Tarabay and Betty Hindi

On June 1st, 2005, The Minister of Finance, Economy and Trade Damianos Kattar opened Job Fair 2005 organised by the NDU Placement Office in participation with thirty firms, including banks, insurance companies, IT companies, services, employment offices and hotels. The Fair lasted two days and provided an occasion for contacts and presentations for orientation and guidance.

After the cutting of the ribbon, the professional and commercial NDU General Director of Public institutions for their participation, Relations Mr. Suheil Matar spoke activity and efforts in the way of those outside who were willing to about the question of employment contacts between themselves, the help, and with whom discussion opportunities for graduates as University staff and the graduates. was engaged, trusted to the more important than any other abilities of the Lebanese for a issue although none of the election NDU President Father Boutros policy of repayment and to an platforms brought it up. He called Tarabay said that the Placement increase of public and private on students to insist on this matter Office had been founded to ensure production. He considered that the with all candidates. effective cooperation with Job Fair was a first step in this companies for training the students direction and hoped that all the The NDU Placement Officer and providing them with companies participating would Mrs. Grace Khalil spoke of the role employment with the purpose of organise yet another Fair centred of NDU in helping students from keeping them in their own land of in particular on training. The its very beginnings to find jobs, Lebanon. He pointed to the efforts Minister insisted on the need for taking the problem into of Minister Kattar for the long- the Government to plan three to consideration with every new delayed budget, as the home five years ahead and for the specialisation launched. The country could live only thanks to a National Bank to pay attention to Office, as a bridge between dynamic economy able to absorb small and medium-sized firms. He students and employers, was now university graduates. wondered if Lebanon could absorb working at a time of economic its graduates when it had only difficulty both locally and For his part, Minister Kattar said weak growth, driving many to the worldwide. Mrs. Khalil then that the public debt could be met Arab and other countries with no thanked all the companies and only by raising output and that intention of return.

30 31 1. The Lebanese participants at the Ataturk Museum in Ankara, together with a Greek participant, third from right. 2. The Whirling Dervishes at Konya. 3. The NDU group on their return to Beirut Airport.

NDU Students in Turkey Nathalie Kobrossi

For six hectic days, seventy-five students from all over Europe and the Middle East gathered to make eye contact at Islam and Europe, an international conference that took place in Turkey in October, 2004.

Seven participants from NDU attended the conference, 1 2 Dr. Eugene Sensenig-DDabbous, Associate Professor in the Political Science Department, who was a speaker at the conference, students from the Political Science Department Aida Daher, Nathalie Kobrossie, Gerard Saadjtian, Cynthia Karam and Olivia Penikian, and Mahmoud Younes from the Biology Department.

Islam and Europe: Eye Contact was 3 a great success. Panels, What was really interesting was to left in harmony with the workshops and debates allowed our trip to Konya, one of the oldest accompanying music. students to build up an cities in history, situated in the understanding of Islam and the southern region of the Anatolian I noticed that European students West. Among the topics discussed were very concerned and eager to were The West in the eyes of Islam plateau. It is the city of Maulana know about Islam. In my opinion, and Islam in the eyes of the West, Rumi, the founder of Sufism or the stereotypes and prejudices they The role of Islam in Europe, The spiritual Islam with its distinctive had concerning Muslims or Arabs role of EU in building the West- whirling and circling dance were the result of the media, which Islam dialogue and Turkey’s role in practiced by the Dervishes. The often distort reality. However, at Europe. Whirling Dervishes practice a spiritual dance which symbolizes the end of the conference many were able to overcome this This conference was a great the evolution towards God, with obstacle standing between Islam experience. In addition to their right hand lifted upward to and Europe. acquiring knowledge, we formed receive blessing from God and new friendships and also profited their left hand turned downward to by doing some sightseeing in give these blessings to the people Our trip to Turkey was Istanbul, Ankara and Konya. while turning in circles from right certainly one to remember! NDU Graduate Student Soars High in Academia Prof. Naji Oueijan

After Miss Valerie Aoun, a graduate student of English Literature in the DETE, Faculty of Humanities at NDU, presented her paper entitled, “Homer and Byron: An Iconographic Journey from Hades to the Gates of the Exalted Self”, (See Abstract Bellow) in the 4th International Student Byron Conference, she soared high standards as Miss Aoun. Especially above twelve other graduate British and American professors students from the following showed interest in having Miss universities: Athens University- Aoun join their Ph.D. programs Greece; University of Liverpool, after her completion of her MA at Cambridge University, and the NDU, and promised to arrange for University of Wales, Cardiff, UK; scholarships and/or assistantships, if she chooses to attend their Princeton University, the University But amidst my jubilation, I was departments. of Virginia, the University of dismayed when I learnt that all Delaware, Pacific University, and twelve students were granted Besides, being a member of the Susquehanna University, USA. The financial assistantships covering all organizing committee of the conference, which took place their conference expenses out by conference, I attended a closed between 17 and 25 May, 2005, in their universities, and that only meeting to discuss conference Messolonghi and Ithaca, the Miss Aoun had to pay a major part issues and the publication of the birthplace of Homer, in Greece, of conference expenses out of her proceedings in a book edited by was attended by well-known own pocket money (I was able to Prof. Malcolm Kelsall; it was scholars of Byronic and Romantic arrange a modest grant of US$ unanimously agreed that all studies, such as Prof. Byron Raizis 200.00 via a Byron scholar in the student articles, except the article (Greece), Prof. Peter W. Graham, USA). I sincerely hope that NDU by Miss Aoun, will be refereed and Prof. Jonathan Cross (USA), elite graduate students will one before publication. Also, it was and Prof. Malcolm Kelsall (United day have the same privileges as agreed that Miss Aoun would Kingdom). All professors lined up their fellow students in other receive a special grant if she with their students to congratulate universities around the world. Miss Aoun on her academic insight decided to participate in the 2006 conference. This gave me a great and skillful communicative I whole-heartedly congratulate sense of pride and reinforced my abilities. I was overjoyed when the Miss Aoun, the DETE, the Faculty determination to encourage other same scholars and students lined of Humanities, and NDU for graduate students from the DETE up to congratulate Notre Dame proving to the world that some of at NDU to participate in University and me for having our students can soar high in the international student conferences. students with such high academic world of academia.

32 33 My Abstract: 1. Miss. Valerie Aoun presenting her paper. Byron’s Virtual Tour of 2. Prof. Naji Oueijan presenting his paper. 3. Prof. Kelsall, Prof. Oueijan, and Prof. Graham Lebanon 4. Miss Aoun amongst other participants. There is no doubt that the countries Byron visited during his first uncompleted Oriental pilgrimage had a notable impact on his personality and poetic career. Especially remarkable and influential were his visits to Greece

1 2 and Turkey, both of which rendered him “a citizen of the world” and contributed enormously to his poetic career after his composition of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage and the Oriental tales. But Byron’s initial plan for his Eastern tour also included regions 3 4 like Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Persia and India. In a letter to John Cam Hobhouse, from Athens, in early February, 1811, Byron writes: “Dear Cam,—My firman for Syria & Egypt being arrived I am off in Spring for Mount Sion, Damascus, Tyre & Miss Valerie Aoun’s Abstract: Sidon, Cairo & Thebes.” Byron, Homer and Byron: An Iconographic Journey from Hades to however, could not fulfill his travel wishes for lack of funds and for the Gates of the Exalted Self. personal problems in his homeland. To limit the scope of this presentation, I will try to create In his Epistle to the Ephesians, St. human soul to the exaltation of a Byronic virtual tour of only a Paul wrote, “Thus it says, freedom—that of the self—and this small but significant part of this ‘Ascending on high, he led away journey was taken by many icon Eastern region, Lebanon. I will captives; he gave gifts to men.’ writers in their quest to express a base this virtual tour on Byron’s Now this, ‘he ascended’, what unification with their inner Self and knowledge of and interest in this does it mean but that he also first ultimately their Creator. This region especially that in his major descended into the lower parts of presentation will attempt to deal works he makes about 16 the earth?” Greek Orthodox with Homer and Byron as references to Lebanon, its Cedar iconographers have extraordinarily iconographic literary figures who Trees, and the Phoenician city of captured this picture in the famous through their literature have set out Tyre. I will also refer to the actual icon known as “The Descent into on a journey to find the tormented visits of contemporary famous Hades”, in which Christ is nature of their inner selves and to travelers to Lebanon. This Byronic portrayed as descending down to find a sense of human exaltation virtual tour will reinforce my hell and freeing Adam and Eve on this earth that might give them assumption that had Byron visited from death and opening wide the a glimpse of Heaven. It will also this region his major works, way to eternal life for mankind. explore the voyage that starts with especially the travelogues and his Read outside of its religious the messianic journey of Homer’s Oriental tales, would have context, the above icon is a Odysseus up to Byron’s undoubtedly undergone a representation of a Romantic iconographic quest—through his tremendous expansion and journey into the depth of the different works. change. Deputy Pierre Jmeil and Dr. Wadih al-Hajj – The Lebanon of Tomorrow, a new country

On April 15, 2005, the NDU Youth Club organized a political meeting with Deputy Pierre Jmeil and Dr. Wadih Al-HHajj under the title of “Lebanon of Tomorrow.”

reorganize the country’s situation Dr. Hajj said that the Lebanon of the privacy of individuals and in order to have a variety of job Tomorrow is a new country that we opened the door through the opportunities. can launch through the building of parliamentary elections to produce institutions, the will to destroy another government that He affirmed that there was a need corruption, the ability of the represented all sectors of the to maintain what was achieved on government to take control over its Lebanese people and organized a March 14th, with no return to full territory, and the direct program that included all subjects. mutual destruction, through the participation of the youth in various political parties. In political life. Then Mr. Jmeil talked addressed conclusion, he hoped that the the youth, saying that Lebanon elections would give every Deputy Jmeil stressed that he needed its youth, who should focus candidate and citizen an wanted a united, democratic, and on their abilities and capacities opportunity to rearrange their pluralistic Lebanon that maintained and work on a schedule to priorities.

Dr. Eddy Abillamaa on the future of the Forces

On the occasion of the 11th year of the arrest of Dr. Samir Jaajaa, the Debate Club at Notre Dame University arranged a meeting with the representative of the Lebanese Forces in “Kornit Shihwan”, Dr. Eddy Abillamaa.

Dr. Abillamaa commented that, and to correct the new Forces into a political party, Dr. despite all that had happened, the constitutional mistakes that were Abillamaa said that this issue forces that paid high prices during made. would be discussed later, affirming the war, especially the Lebanese that they certainly existed as a Forces, kept their hopes high in In a dialogue with the students, movement. He also stressed the order to rebuild Lebanon, to Dr. Abillamaa stressed that no importance of having political continue the communication group should be deleted. On the alliances to execute the projects in principle that Taef was based on, subject of turning the Lebanese the presence of all political parties.

34 35 Candidates come to NDU

At a meeting on Wednesday, 18th candidate Dr. George Abi Zaid, change, for fighting corruption, for May, 2005, organised by the NDU and member of the Free Patriotic an economic plan to save the International Relations Club at the Movement Executive Committee country and for restoring the state main campus, the speakers were Architect Alain Aoun. institutions. They pointed out that Farid el-KKhazen M.P., the Free the 2000 electoral law was against Patriotic Movement’s candidate They explained their electoral the popular will, weakening Attorney Ibrahim Kanaan, the programmes, agreeing on the democratic life, and alienated National Bloc’s Kesrouan-Byblos need for political and judicial many Lebanese.

Tueni Deputy Mosbah Ahdab talks... A call for democracy On Monday, 16th May, 2005, the NDU Public Relations class invited “Kornet Shehwan” member and electoral candidate Mr. Gibran Tueni for an open discussion under the title Current Events and Lebanon’s Future. He talked about the elections and announced his candidacy. His opinions had not changed: on the one hand Syria must withdraw and on the other Christians and Muslims must sit at the same table to unite the country and revive their partnerships. Mr. Tueni stressed that the 2000 electoral law which had been Dr. Khalid Fakih, Member of Parliament Mosbah Ahdab, Mr. Suheil Matar and Miss Maria imposed so the public had either Bteich. to drop out of the political game or to make up for tis deficiencies. On January 7th, 2005, Deputy should be differences of opinion He approved the United Nations’ Mosbah Ahdab was the guest of among members of the desire that the elections should go the Public Relations class in opposition, but these should be ahead as planned but also Friends’ Hall at the NDU main settled by democratic means and demanded a new law for campus. He was welcomed by not by recourse to intelligence decentralised administration and a Mr. Suheil Matar, NDU General services. new administrative division. Director of Public Relations, and the student Maria Bteich, and then In particular, UN Resolution 1559 Mr. Tueni called on people to put introduced to the audience by covered issues that ought to be the war behind them for the sake faculty member Dr. Khalid Fakih. resolved first among the Lebanese of national reconciliation. He After expressing his thanks for the themselves and secondly together would urge the formation of a invitation, Deputy Ahdab spoke with Syria financial economic investigation about the present situation and committee drawn from all developments, describing the (We regret that the report reached countries that helped Lebanon, present order as a security regime us with some delay, but we felt that which would open all files about rather than a democratic one. In publication was better late than how there were forty billion dollars his view it was natural that there never! – Ed.) of public debt. Sports Office News

Lebanon’ s Cup for the Universities at Notre Dame university -Louaize Between the 15th and 20th of April, 2005, the NDU Sports Office organized the Lebanon Cup for Universities in Street-ball, Mini-football and Three Points.

The results were as follows: The referees were Michel Sfeir, Elie 2. Imad Singer Salameh and Rana Sebaaly Lebanese International 5 points Street-ball for the universities: 3. Elie Abou Jaoudeh Semi-finals: Mr. Georges Nader, head of the NDU 4.5 points Louaize 1/Holy Spirit-Kaslik 1 NDU Sports Office and the 4. Henri Chidiac 12/10 General Secretary of the FSUL, USJ 4 points Louaize 2/Sagesse 1 8/6 supervised the tournament in 5. Hussein Diya Finals: cooperation with Mr. Elias Boutros, UL 4 points 1st Louaize 2 15 Mario Khoury, Bechara Barada’i At the end of the tournament, cups 2nd Louaize 1 12 and Joseph Matta. and medals were distributed to the winners by Judge Nasri Lahoud Street-ball for the Institutes: At the end, NDU President Father and by NDU Director of Sports, Finals: 1st AUT 15 Boutros Tarabay distributed the University Federation General 2nd Louaize-Shouf 11 cups and medals to the winners. Secretary and Lebanese Olympic The matches were directed by the Committee member Mr. George referees Elie Salameh, Roy Makon The NDU Tournament Nader. and Nadim Chamat. The yearly NDU Sports Tournament was held between Mini-football: May 23rd and May 27 under the Semi-finals: patronage of NDU President Holy Spirit-Kaslik/Al Manar Father Boutros Tarabay, with the NDU students united 2/2 (4/3 Penalty) presence of the President of the for Independence USJ / AUB 1/2 FSUL Judge Nasri Lahoud and a Finals: 1st USJ 5 large crowd composed of staff and th 2nd Holy Spirit-Kaslik 0 students. In memory of April 13 , Notre The referees were: Dame University students Wissam Safetly, Rabih Dib, The final results were as follows: organized a meeting in the and Hadi Hajjar. outer area of the university, Men’s Basketball: where its different political Three Points: NDU/Balamand 85/65 movements distributed a united Universities: statement calling for 1st Roger Bardawil/Louaize Ladies’ Basketball: participation in this national 9 out of 15 points Holy Spirit-Kaslik/NDU 47/45 event at the Martyrs Square in 2nd Alain Sawaya/Louaize dedication of this day and of the 7 out of 15 Mini-football: Independence that was always rd 3 Wael Melki/Balamand NDU/Sagesse 5/2 longed for, and in cooperation 6 out of 15 with the Opposition in the Institutes: Men’s Volleyball: process of reviving the national st 1 Johnny Ghsain/AUT NDU/USJ 2/0 economy and defeating fear in 10 out of 15 order to restore Beirut’s former 2nd Joe Raaidy/AUT Chess (with 28 players): glory. 7 out of 15 1. Serge Hovnanian rd 3 Mario Raaidy/AUT LAU 5.5 points 5 out of 15

36 37 Experience never stops Elias Karout

As a university student, you might At the university level you are Certainly, you will not grow as fast think that you are going to use taught the different levels of the as in a small agency, yet the level what you are learning. Then when organization and what an account of professionalism is clearly somebody tells you that you are executive does. But there is a huge different. An account executive has not going to use anything that you gap between theory and practice. to be able to write briefs and have learned your natural answer This huge gap is created once reports; he must be constantly will be, “You are wrong!” Then again by the type of agency you reading, looking for new trends you might ask yourself, “What if he might be working for. In certain and and new theories and is right? Why am I learning?” Well, small agencies the account broadening his horizon. actually you do use the things you executive is also the media planner have learned, but they are only and buyer, whereas in other The account executive is the guidelines to the actual learning agencies he performs what we see buzzing bee and the ant of the process, which begins when you in theory. This scenario is widely organization. The advertising have landed your first job. popular in Lebanon, where in the world is a very demanding and big agencies the job of the account ever-changing world. You have to As a student I had the same point executive is the same as that seen be both cordial and aggressive to of view, but I always expected to in theory due to the presence of succeed. The job of the account use what I had learned. But then it MBUs and Creative Cells, while in executive does not come down really hit me, and I found myself small agencies where there are no only to writing briefs and learning everything from scratch. MBUs the account executive takes processing jobs; he has to be able In the business world you have to on the roles of both executive and to research new ways to enhance use what you have learned as the planner. the client’s potential for growth. basics for processing the job. However, processing the job is a Having been an account executive You will hear many comments on whole new science in itself, and for the past two years, I have the way you are doing your job this science differs with each moved between companies and about the quality of your company, depending on the ranging from small to regional work. Don’t take it the wrong way, company structure and the and international. What is clearly but learn to listen and to adapt. As corporate identity. noticeable is that the bigger you an account executive you are the go the more accountability there is. forefront of the organization and if Social

Birth: Anthony Eid The NDU Division of Computing Services is proud to announce the birth of Anthony Eid, son of Fadi Eid, Web Developer in the Division of Computing Services – Main Campus. Congratulations I am Anthony Eid, i was born on April 4, 2005, at 9:05am, to the parents of the newborn! – weight: 3150g., Armen A. Balian, Head, heigh: 51cm. Academic Computer Center, NDU.

Correction: We regret a mistake that crept into issue 33 of NDU Spirit. The article on page 67 entitled Keeping Hunger at Bay was by Dr. Najat Yahia and not by Dr. Tony Hage. We hope that they will accept our apologies.

you look good then the Agency with people and talk to them. public speaking and pitching. looks good. So my piece of advice Doing so will enable you to build Shyness will get you nowhere is - Make Sure You Look Good. up your network of connections fast. and to obtain power. I have learned that nothing comes For an account executive to be easy and everything can go wrong successful he must be proactive, a Visionary: perhaps most in an instant, so keep your eyes reader, a conversationalist and a importantly of all, a visionary is a open and your senses alert; the visionary. leader. He knows where he wants slightest mistake can cause you to to go and how he is going to get lose your biggest client. Therefore Proactive: this means he must be there. Being a visionary allows the be alert and keep in mind where able to push the client to go account executive or planner to you want to be and how you want forward, to follow up and to get see the direction the campaign is to get there, and you will surely things done. But most importantly going to take and the steps that reach your goal. As long as you he must find new ways to his will have to be implemented to set your mind on something and client’s business, his agency’s achieve the overall goal. A use the right techniques you will portfolio and his own portfolio. visionary thus becomes the leader, achieve your goal whether in a position coveted by many but business or in your personal life. Reader: the account executive attained by only a few. must read to learn new theories, Elias Karout is an NDU graduate in concepts and ideas which will help If you are aiming to become an Advertising and Marketing. Presently, him create new things and ideas account manager, there are a few he is Account Executive at Horizon and have insights for the solution simple rules you should never FCB and working on his Master of a particular problem. In this forget: degree at NDU. E-mail world one is what one knows. [email protected] 1. Always follow up on your job Conversationalist: society adores and double-check all your mails the conversationalist, the person before sending anything. who loves people, and this is the 2. Learn and train yourself to write most important tool for an account presentations. executive. He has to love to mingle 3. Learn and practice the art of

38 39 Why NDU? Serge Dagher, NDU Graduate & MA Student Media Account Director, Horizon Advertising Agency

Dr. Mahmoud Hammoud, NDU Mass Communication Dept.

For almost ten years now I have Mr. Kamal Darouni. Maybe at the Two important events involving the been fighting hard, day after day, time not everything seemed media-government relationship assignment after assignment, to relevant and clear, but today I go have taken place over the last few prove myself in a competitive and through many of these same months. Both shed light on the highly aggressive industry called experiences myself, and appreciate relationship between media and Advertising, an industry constantly even more what was given to me. governments and on the ethics facing changes, pressures, global associated with such relationships. trends and tough economic To all Advertising students in NDU The first event involved a US conditions. I would say that you should never journalist and the second event forget that you are the industry concerned the Arab TV news Today, when I look back on what I leaders of tomorrow. So my advice station Al-Jazeera. have so far done, I feel that I have to you is Read, Learn and Listen, the drive and the potential to get to and never underestimate the In the first incident, television and the top. My advancement was due material or the teachers. It is only radio personality Armstrong sometimes to luck and at other by being well prepared that you Williams told CNN that he had times to smart moves that I made will be able to forge yourself a taken $240,000 to flog Bush’s No or to doors that were opened to place. Child Left Behind plan, the USA me. Nevertheless, I cannot but Today reported on Friday, January acknowledge the paramount NDU offers the market the best 7, 2005. The scandal enraged importance of the Advertising and candidates for Advertising positions Democrat Party officials, who Marketing program that I followed and to the best of the best I simply called this a case of “Bush wasting at NDU. say: Send your CVs! taxpayers’ money for political propaganda”, and they considered My years at NDU, the courses I such behavior illegal. Furthermore, took, and the teachers I had, all opposition Democrats, headed by provided me with the tools, the Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, knowledge and the curiosity to go said that they believed that “the act further. I can still hear the real-life of bribing journalists to bias their experiences that were related to news in favor of government policy me by professors such as undermines the integrity of our governments may or may not think, the issue of taking money from the government to propagate Government Relationships its policies poses serious threats to the media’s credibility and in Media Developments integrity. Although Mr. Williams apologized to his audiences for taking government money, he considered his behavior as bad judgment rather than as unethical. Similarly, Al Jazeera saw no ethical problem in having a relationship with officials of the former Iraqi democracy.” They considered such Al Jazeera news station responded Government. an act as covert propaganda to to the charges saying that it influence public opinion. Reid and maintains its integrity by presenting The problem with these types of the Democrats called on the White all sides of the news and that the relationship is that they are done House to refund the public money. meeting was only a courtesy under cover and without public meeting which did not mean knowledge. They are revealed only Mr. Williams, a conservative Black anything. It also stated that by accident or by adversaries of commentator, justified his act by everyone knew that in order to the government in question. It is saying that Bush’s school reform operate news from Iraq any news our belief that journalists should matched his own conservative organization was obliged to meet abide by a code of ethics that will views and that he was not bound with Ouaday Saddam Hussein. maintain the integrity of the by journalistic ethics usage The announcement by the station journalist’s profession. In that because he owned a public reminded its audiences of Al regard, the media should act as a relations company. Jazeera coverage of the war in watchdog by keeping an eye on Afghanistan and Iraq and of the the government in the interests of In the second incident, Al Hourra, bombardment of the offices of the the people. Governments may take a television station, which is aimed station in both countries during the their people into wars without at Arab audiences to foster the US military campaigns. justification when the media fail to image, broadcast a video tape of play that role. The apology by The a meeting between Ouaday These two incidents show how New York Times for not having Saddam Hussein, the late son of delicate is the relationship between questioned the US government the former President of Iraq, and the media on one side and claims concerning alleged the former top manager of Al governments on the other side. weapons of mass destruction Jazeera news station. In the video, While the US Government did (WMD) did not help the people the Al Jazeera official was heard violate its own laws by after the war had taken thousands thanking Mr. Hussein for his propagating its own policies, it did of lives. directions and support. Al Hourra not accept a relationship between said it had obtained other video its adversaries and an influential Honest and credible media can tapes involving the two officials. news station such as Al Jazeera. guarantee the proper functioning However, irrespective of what of governments in a democracy.

40 41 Extra-Dimensional Activities at the School of Humanities Kamal Darouni

1. My recent visit to Dubai hundreds of jobs. Therefore a task 4. Workshop on IMC While I was passing by the Media force at NDU is on its way to be All Advertising and Marketing City in Dubai, and then the Internet formed, having as its objective to students were invited to the City, I felt as if I were a civilized create awareness and to act for a seminar held at NDU on February gentleman coming from the jungle new ideology (Globalization of a 25th, sponsored by the Lebanese of the Amazon. I did have a Multimedia System having its Base Advertising Association (LAA), for thought: What the hell am I still in Lebanon). So watch out, guys, which I act as General Secretary. It doing in Beirut, the capital of for the steps we are going to take!” happened to be my birthday and I knowledge, civilization, am glad to have lived sixty years communication, creativity, you on this planet, out of which fifteen name it? 2. Interuniversity world have been spent at NDU. competition I begin to remember our prominent Our senior students in the leaders’ claims that Beirut is where Advertising and Marketing major 5. British Council the real democracy, multimedia will be competing with global and Two students from NDU are being and technology are all about. Well, regional universities in a selected to do a research study on to tell you the Gospel truth, I felt I competition sponsored by IAA, the Advertising Agencies operating was twenty years behind schedule. NDU being accredited by this in Lebanon. The LAA will pay them world organization. The topic is 300 dollars each on a monthly Yes, Lebanon was the center of how to create Yahoo worldwide. basis until the project is completed. communication, trade, media and I shall be acting as advisor for this A seminar will be held in this advertising in the Middle East just contest, so wish us luck! regard, with Mr. Ibrahim Tabeth before the civil war which took (CEO – DDB Advertising Agency) place in 1974. and myself. The date will be 3. Werewolf announced soon. Unfortunately, today our role has One of my students, Patricia been taken over by Dubai. I said to Keyrouz, worked on her senior myself, “I have to do something project for graduation and the 6. New book on Creativity about this situation.” So, back at topic was WEREWOLF Energy in Lebanon my normal teaching at NDU, I told Drink. She was so much in love This will be my fifth book on my students, “You have to win with her outstanding project that Advertising and my last hope. It back what belonged to you. It is she went and got a patent for this should be published in one year now your right to put pressure on new product, and wishes to from now. NDU students will be your handicapped government to manufacture it in Lebanon. She contributing to this publication. The build a media city like the one in was graded 47 out of 50 on her title will be Best Creative Dubai. This will secure for you project. Who can say more? Campaigns in Lebanon. America’s Image in the Arab World Dr. Najah Abdallah, Assistant Professor, NDU

At no other time in history has Administration launched a major government to reach out to Muslim America’s image been as gravely campaign to improve its image in and Arab audiences, saying that tarnished as it is today. The extent the Arab world after the September the effort to create mutual of anti-American sentiment is 11th terrorist attacks in the United understanding between the two growing and it runs very deep. States. regions “needs to be long-term” (‘Boucher Reviews U.S. Public I am concerned about the image To win over Arab public opinion, Diplomacy to Muslim World’, of the United States in the Arab the United States government has August 27, 2002). world. I am especially concerned launched a new effort, an FM as a professor who teaches in the radio station called Radio Sawa How can the negative image of the Arab world, as someone who (Together), and a television United States in the Arab world be teaches about image and knows channel called Alhurra (The Free changed? the impact of image. I also know One), financed by Congress. Radio that this negative image is Sawa, a 24/7 commercial-free To answer this question we need to dangerous, for it affects the station, has been broadcasting know the real reason behind this entertaining contemporary Arab relationship between Americans image, or, as the French say, we and Western pop tunes across the and Arabs, and thus must be need to know le pourquoi de la Middle East since March 2002. improved. chose. We also need to listen to Alhurra, a commercial-free Arabic the people in all the countries satellite television network for the involved. Steven Nader, Director of Foreign Middle East, has been and Security Studies at the broadcasting news and As we know in the Arab world, the Progressive Policy Institute, wrote: information, in addition to source of this anger is not “America is losing a different kind reporting on regional and American values. American values of war: the fight to gain and international events, since February maintain a positive image in the 2004. are highly appreciated by the Arab Arab world. America’s image is so public, especially democracy, badly distorted in many Muslim According to the Washington Post, freedom of speech, and women’s countries, especially in the Middle the Bush Administration also set up education. The main source of this East.” a separate Department, the Office anger is U.S. foreign policy, of Global Communication, in particularly: It is important for the United States order to improve the U.S. image to pay attention to this problem in abroad (July 30, 2002). U.S. State — The Arab-Israeli conflict. order to avoid millions of Arabs Department spokesman Richard — Iraq. being alienated through a Boucher commented upon the — U.S. military presence in the misunderstanding of United States efforts of the United States Gulf. policy. This is why the U.S. To improve America’s image in the

42 43 Personal and Institutional Communication Skills Prof. Naji Oueijan

Arab world, an in-depth study of We, in Lebanon, are becoming too materialistic and impersonal in our Arab public opinion is needed. A personal and institutional communication. We can stand outside and survey with a definite purpose criticize, bring pressure, write memos and argue, and this might do some needs to be developed to learn good, or we can get deep inside our selves to improve our inner more about the specific reasons communication with God first and our oral communication with our fellow behind anti-Americanism in the men second and bring about a dramatic constructive change to our Arab countries, and about how it personal communication and institutional conduct. The choice is ours, all can be reduced. the reason why for those interested in the second choice I have listed some leading points bellow. I believe in education and in the value of creating a civic society 1. WHAT to communicate with each others depends upon our knowledge through education. The role of and perception; HOW we communicate is an acquired skill. education is of great importance. I 2. WHAT to communicate is not as important as HOW to communicate believe that the Arab countries our message. need help to improve their 3. What matters is the way we deliver our message to our audience, be it educational systems. I also believe one person or a group of people. that through education we give 4. There are FOUR basic rules for personal and institutional people a chance to become communication: informed and active participants in a. Rule No. One: In a group there is always one main speaker, and their societies. For example, all the others are listeners. creating U.S. cultural centers and b. Rule No. Two: In our communication we should learn to CARE and libraries can be of benefit. SHARE for the good of all. c. Rule No. Three: We must learn that listening is an active process A strong strategy of engagement that demands concentration and control. We must know that silence is based on three policies will light, and that light is wisdom, and that verbosity is darkness and the improve America’s image: weapon of the ignorant. d. Rule No. Four: Try to follow the above rules. — A policy of communication To prove the validity of the above rules I will provide the reader with the targeting the public at large. following fundamentals of communication: — A policy of education targeting the younger generations. — A cultural policy targeting both 1. Definition of COMMUNICATION: the younger and older — The prefix COM- in Latin means “WITH” generations. — The root MUNUS means a service performed for culture. This goal will be challenging but — Therefore, human communication is sharing experience publicly for the achievable. common good. — A few of us are good listeners. Christianity says:”Be humble, Why? control yourself even when you • Studies indicate that most of are hurt.” us listen at about 25-45% In Peter 1 Chapt. 2:20-24 we comprehension because man read: “For what credit is there can understand up to 400 if, when you sin and are harshly w/m, and an average treated, you endure it with speaker communicates about patience? But if when you do 150-200 w/m. The time and what is right and suffer for it space lags divert our attention patiently, endure it, this finds in two ways: favor with God.” In Prov. 28:25 1. We dive into our we read “An arrogant man stirs — To SHARE is to CARE, and to interpersonal thoughts. up strife, but he who trusts in Care is to LOVE those you 2. We react before the the Lord will prosper.” Thus to communicate with. speaker is over. fight the battle of pride — In your personal life you 3. In Lebanon No. 2 is more a. Be a giver rather than a getter. communicate with those you probable. b. Be a forgiver rather than a share the best and worst of condemner. times—family members, 3. Qualities of a good c. Be a forgetter rather than a relatives and friends—for SPEAKER: prosecutor. almost half of your active life. 1. S/he must be a good listener. — In an institution those you 2. S/he must have self-confidence 4. S/he must be wise: communicate with are those and control: King Soloman gives us counsel on you work and live with the Self-confidence is a result of some of the things wise men do: second half of your active life. knowledge. a. They build: “The wise woman — The level of give-and-take and Self-control is achieved when builds her house...” (Prov. 14:1) advise-and-consent required for the speaker possesses a non- b. They watch their tongues and mutual satisfaction and offensive spirit when confronted. heal rather than hurt: “Pleasant decision-making becomes 3. S/he must have rhetorical words are a honeycomb, sweet destructive rather than sensitivity or a transparent to the soul and healing to the constructive unless we learn to humanity; i.e., s/he must bones” (Prov. 16-24). CARE, SHARE, and LOVE. understand and satisfy the c. They are slow to anger: “He who needs of her/his audience. is slow to anger is better than 2. Facts about LISTENING: 4. S/he must have absolute the mighty” (Prov. 28-25). — Listening all over the world honesty, an authentic desire to accounts for over 40% of our share experience, no hidden Conclusion: daily communication. meanings, and an absence of C. R. Swindell says: “Our world — In Lebanon, listening is not hypocrisy, duplicity and verbal has become a large, impersonal, more than 20%. WE ARE ALL superficiality. busy institution. We are alienated SPEAKERS. 5. S/he must be humble: from each other. Although — Children learn by listening. Man should fight the battle of crowded, we are lonely. Distant. — Nature demands that we learn PRIDE, the battle of: Pushed together but Uninvolved.” first by our senses: Listening, I I say: “If we do not want to feel watching, tasting, smelling, and ME lonely, distant, pushed, and touching. Speaking is not one MINE uninvolved, we must think of the of these senses. Speaking is an MYSELF above. We must listen, smile, and acquired skill. But how can you PRIDE says: “Be superior, then speak.” learn the skill if you do not promote yourself.” learn how to listen?

44 45 Reading K.J. Mortimer of Pierre-P. Grassé’s Traité de zoologie down from my shelf (good for the muscles) but, although I might find out I want to know, it is doubtful whether I find the literary style so deeply touching.

I have in my possession, yellowed If there is no art in writing, there is regret that all the paper had not and frayed, some cuttings from no pleasure in reading. One hears been left as living forest in The Observer and the Listener that little now of people who are great Scandinavia to host the nesting drew my attention anything readers, and by that I mean birds and the leaping squirrels, between thirty and forty years ago. people who love to spend their somewhere where shafts of I read them for the umpteenth time time with a book in their hands. sunlight pierced deep shadow and with pleasure, even an article on Now one may blame television, but resinous “incense hung along the such an apparently forbidding after all there is nothing more bough.” subject as English hedgerows. boring than to sit passively in front When I was in London a few years of a screen where everything is It is continually dinned into our ago, I bought all the “quality” shown in detail and there is no ears that this is the Information papers – certainly not the tabloids stimulus for the imagination. Yes, Age. But it is not the Reading Age. in which the most exhaustive there are very occasional The great books of the past, books research fails to reveal one literate programmes where learning about of philosophy, religion, history or sentence – but even so I did not history, the revelation of the sheer science, were also books of beauty find one article that I could force beauty of ballet or a certain of style. Who, having once read St. myself to read to the end. In fact, if excitement or “suspense” may hold Augustine’s Confessions, can ever any single one of them had been one for a certain time, but nothing forget “Late have I loved thee, cut off in the middle, I would not that may grip one for many hours Ancient Light!” or “My prayer used have noticed it, so poor was the like a good book. to be, Give me purity Lord – but composition. not yet!” Just you try putting such The real reason for the decline in thoughts in so few poignant words! The blurbs on paperback best- reading is the decline in writing. Of sellers often draw attention to the course, there never has been so Allow me to expand on my lurid sex scenes to be found much newsprint. When I was last in meaning. If I want to enjoy between the covers – love, one London, I saw newsagent’s shops reading, I might turn to Oscar notices, seems to be out of date. In stacked to the ceiling with what Wilde’s prose poem The Kai Lung’s Golden Hours by Ernest must have been tons of Nightingale and the Rose. If I want Bramah there is a scene where the newspapers and magazines. But some information about story-teller Kai Lung is in prison, after a quick glance I could only nightingales I will heave Tome XV condemned to be tortured to Forsyth makes you feel the dignity that surrounded President de Gaulle: “...the usher stood back to let the minister pass into the Salon des Ordonnances ... the door closed behind him without a sound and the usher made his stately way back down the stairs to the vestibule. ... One of the floor-to- death. Through a tiny hole high in General de Gaulle, who in 1943 ceiling windows was open and the wall he speaks with the was on bad terms with the British from the palace garden came the beautiful Hwa Mei, the Golden and particularly the Americans, sound of a wood pigeon cooing Mouse. Finally by standing on tip- who refused to accept him: “But I among the trees. (Minister Frey is toe they manage to make their always recognised in him the spirit then introduced into the private fingers touch. The delicacy of the and conception which, across the office of de Gaulle, who receives author’s pen perfectly matches the pages of history, the word ‘France’ him with courteous solemnity and sensitivity of the occasion; this is would ever proclaim. I understood then reads the file the minister the sort of description one and admired, while I resented, his presents him.) From the top pocket remembers. When I was sixteen I arrogant behaviour. Here he was – of his jacket Charles de Gaulle read that whole book once a week a refugee, an exile from his took his reading glasses, put them for a whole year and I have never country under sentence of death, on, spread the folder on his desk, tired of it. There are not many TV in a position entirely dependent and started to read. The pigeon series that I would like to see from upon the goodwill of the British had stopped cooing as if beginning to end fifty times over. Government, and now of the appreciating that this was not the United States. The Germans had moment.” What a wonderful conquered his country. He had no There are two fairly recent books touch! But Forsyth brings all the foothold anywhere. Never mind; that I keep by my bedside and scenes of rural France and of Paris he defied all.” It was said later that which I savour repeatedly. One is to life with the same dexterity. the trouble when dealing with de The Day of the Jackal, by Frederick Gaulle was that if you disagreed Forsyth. You may well imagine that Another book into which I am ever with him he thought you an idiot I am not the sort of person who dipping for the sheer delight of its and if you agreed with him he generally devours thrillers, but this style is Nicholas and Alexandra by thought you a coward. is a thriller with a difference, and Robert K. Massie, about the last Correspondents declared that the difference is superb writing. czar and czarina of Russia. when as President he was in a The descriptions are in such Whether Massie describes the palatial hall with other heads of English that one’s imagination beauty of palace gardens or the state, one had the feeling that the creates the scenes in a way far dazzling but empty display of the whole building was tilting to the from the passivity of watching TV. court life of Imperial Russia, one is side where he stood. Here is how Sir Winston Churchill wrote of there! “... in an atmosphere thick

46 47 with the aroma of steaming clothes of no mean city,” Palmerston and boiling tea, the peasants sat triumphantly vindicated himself. around their huge clay stoves and Frankly, I would need a more pondered the dark mysteries of interesting subject to be carried nature and God. In the country, away by enthusiasm after hearing the Russian people lived their lives President George Bush or Prime under a blanket of silence.” “Over Minister Blair speak for five hours. the years, the shrubs had grown At the same time, one does not into lush and fragrant jungles. have to go back two centuries to When the spring rain fell, the find great oratory. I remember masterpiece which I never tire of sweet smell of wet lilacs drenched how we were electrified by re-reading. But simply, all was the air.” What is more, the literary Churchill’s speeches in 1940 and “information”, with inserts listing style of the diplomats and of his War Memoirs give fine the horsepower of German tanks others surrounding the czar is no examples of discourse by other and other details, which I no more less impressive. Something has Members of Parliament. enjoyed reading than I would have gone out of this world. enjoyed learning about the length, It is not only English that has weight in grammes, etc., of the Decline in writing has been languished. I have old French sword that hacked off Lally- accompanied by a decline of magazines with articles about the Tollendal’s head. Not being a speech. In 1850, Foreign Secretary death of Lally-Tollendal or some professional student of military Palmerston made a speech that obscure crime in the court of a history, I want my information to held Parliament in Westminster 17th-century Hanoverian prince, be served up in a way that makes spellbound for five whole hours. stories in which I really feel no pleasurable reading. Incidentally, I Remember that in the British personal involvement. But once very much fear that the concern Parliament a member may refer to again it is the excellent writing by with scientific accuracy rather than notes but may not read his speech. people of real culture that makes style has spoilt the pleasure of What was the subject? The people the articles impossible to put down reading the Holy Bible. (Query: of Athens had refused to pay before one has finished. On the why isn’t the King James Version damages after burning down the other hand, when last year I spent obligatory study in all courses of house of a Portuguese Jew who, a few days in hospital, I was English literature throughout the having been born in Malta, brought a current copy of a French world? In content and style it has claimed British citizenship, so history magazine where there was had far more influence than any Palmerston had sent the British an article about the Allied landings other book, not even excepting fleet to bombard the city. Queen in Normandy in 1944. Here I did Shakespeare.) Victoria, Parliament and public feel personal involvement, because could not help feeling that this was I was eighteen years old at the Enough! Now I want to pick up going rather far, but in his famous time and following the news and Immortal Poems of the English speech starting with St. Paul’s also because Churchill’s War Language, The Day of the Jackal, “Cives Romanus sum – I am citizen Memoirs is another literary Nicholas and Alexandra or Churchill. From law studies to art: The Great Masters made the right decision. Samer Charabati Comp. & Com. Eng.

Chassez le naturel, il revient au galop…

Nothing would express the spirit of the following biographical essays better than this French proverb. The idea is simple: history tells a lot of stories about people leaving their studies or jobs to devote themselves to a certain activity they are destined to. But when this activity is art, the story becomes particularly fascinating. And this minor detail, namely, the drastic change from the previous job to art, is often ignored or at least eclipsed in front of the significance of the artist’s works and style. Examples would include the famous painter Van Gogh, who had been in turn an art dealer, a French tutor, a theological student, and an evangelist before beginning to paint; post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin, an ex-stockbroker; composer Franz Schubert, an ex-assistant teacher (fortunately for romantic music fans); composer Hector Berlioz, who even left medical studies! More surprising is the coincidence that made the personalities presented hereafter leave law studies! Today, they all preserve the title of “Maître”, however, not as lawyers but as artists; composers or painters, their contribution, innovation and popularity go beyond all superlatives.

Cezanne, Paul (1839-1906), but continued to study painting. “my one and only master… French post-impressionist painter, The following year, he left his job Cezanne was like the father of us “father of modern art”. Cezanne and went back to Paris, where he all” and Matisse hailed him as “a began to study drawing and met Monet and Pissaro. sort of God of painting”. In 1999, painting at the age of 17 in his one Cezanne painting, “Still Life hometown Aix-en-Provence, but his As his style matured, Cezanne With Curtain, Pitcher, and Bowl of father, an established banker, gradually withdrew from his Fruit” (1893-94), was sold at an opposed the pursuit of an artistic impressionist colleagues and auction in New York for as much career. Cezanne entered law worked in increasing isolation in as $60.5 million, nearly double school and he was simultaneously Aix-en-Provence. During his the pre-auction estimate, and the enrolled at the School of Design. lifetime, he did not achieve any fourth highest price ever paid for In 1861, he persuaded his father great public recognition; his art an artwork at a public auction (as to allow him to go to Paris, but was largely misunderstood and of this writing). The previous record returned in the same year because discredited. Ironically, Cezanne’s for a Paul Cezanne sold at auction his application to the Ecole des innovation remarkably influenced was for “Les Grosses Pommes”, Beaux-Arts was rejected. Cezanne the 20th century “modern” which went for $28.6 million in entered his father’s banking house painters. Picasso regarded him as 1993.

48 49 Matisse Kandinsky Schumann,

Matisse, Henri (1869-1954), most years when he was often bedridden. Kandinsky invented a language of important French painter of the Of these cut-outs, the Blue Nude abstract forms with which he 20th century, one of the initiators series is extremely popular. Unlike replaced the forms of nature. He of modern art through the Fauvist Cezanne, Matisse gained felt that painting possessed the movement. Despite the fact that his international reputation during his same power as music and that mother was an amateur painter, lifetime. He was also a sculptor and sign, line, and color ought to Matisse’s interest in art came late. a decorator. He and Picasso rank correspond to the vibration of the After graduating from secondary among the most revolutionary human soul. His forms evolved school, he went for law studies in artists of the 20th century. from fluid and organic to Paris and after a year became a geometric and, finally, to clerk in a law office. At the same Kandinsky, Wassily (1866-1944) pictographic (Tempered Élan, time, he began to sit in on an Russian-born painter, one of the 1944). early-morning drawing class. But a first creators of pure abstract art in severe appendicitis was necessary modern painting. Kandinsky grew (For non-art fans Kandinsky’s name for Matisse to devote himself up in a rather wealthy family. He would not seem as famous as that entirely to painting! During his became an amateur performer on of other painters; however his recovery in the 1890, he painted the piano and the cello, and also paintings are extremely popular to help pass the time, and the an amateur painter. In 1886, and easily recognizable especially following year he decided to go Kandinsky began to study law and for their geometric shapes. When I back to Paris but this time to economics at the University of presented the interview for my become a professional artist. Moscow, and in 1893 went on to engineering summer training at earn the degree equivalent of a PESCO Telecom, I was caught by a Influenced by Cezanne, Van Gogh doctorate! During his studies, he Kandinsky poster hung in the and Gauguin, Matisse combined a furthered his visual education; he entrance office of the company.) primary color scheme with the was sent on an ethnographic primitive approach to visual mission and, after a period of Schumann, Robert Alexander experience, in which simplification teaching at the university, he (1810-1856) Great German and distortion are means of accepted a post as the director of composer of surpassing expression. This resulted in the photographic section of a imaginative power, whose music Fauvism for about the first decade printing establishment. Only in expressed the deepest spirit of the of the 20th century. But Matisse 1896, when he was 30 years old, Romantic era. His father, pursued the expressiveness of color did Kandinsky decide to become bookseller and editor, and his throughout his career. He achieved an artist. He refused a mother pianist encouraged the a balance between color, light, professorship in jurisprudence at a child’s inclination for literature and and form, presenting objects as university in Estonia, and, in what music. Schumann began piano pure forms in a two-dimensional he called a “now or never” mood, lessons at the age of 10, but when manner. The ultimate step in his he took the train for Germany with he was 18 his father had already art was taken in his colored paper the intention of becoming a died, and his mother was cut-outs realized during his last painter. suspicious of a musical career, so Tchaikovsky Stravinsky

she decided that he should enroll Jurisprudence, and while studying Stravinsky, Igor (1882-1971) at the University of Leipzig as a law and government he also took Russian-born composer whose law student. In Leipzig, he met music lessons. He graduated at 19 work had a revolutionary impact piano teacher Friedrich Wieck (his and took a post at the Ministry of on 20th century music. Stravinsky future father-in-law) and became Justice, where he remained for was raised in an artistic his student, without applying four years, until he left his job and atmosphere; he took piano and himself seriously to law. The entered the newly established music theory lessons. Although his following year, he asked his conservatory of St. Petersburg as a father was a famous opera singer, mother to register him at the composition student of Anton he was determined that his son University of Heidelberg, a more Rubinstein. should become a bureaucrat. motivating environment for law Stravinsky studied law and studies. But again the young man As a Russian composer, philosophy in the Faculty of left his studies and returned to Tchaikovsky stands apart from the Jurisprudence at Saint Petersburg Leipzig, ambitious of becoming a nationalist group headed by University. Luckily, his classmate virtuoso pianist. Schumann never Rimsky-Korsakov and Balakirev, was Vladimir Rimsky-Korsakov, son realized his dream mainly due to a known as the Mighty Five, who of the famous composer, to whom permanent injury to two of his judged his music “not sufficiently Stravinsky showed his early fingers. It was his wife Clara who Russian”. The statement was peaces. Rimsky-Korsakov was became a famous concert pianist withdrawn and elucidated later by sufficiently impressed and took and a masterly interpreter of his Stravinsky. Tchaikovsky’s music is Stravinsky as a private student. works. Ironically, Clara’s extremely melodious, colorfully reputation grew faster than his; scored, and filled with romantic By the age of 32, the success of after a performance, he was often emotional fervor. If he is his ballets The Firebird, Petrushka, introduced to the public simply as recognized for his ballets Swan and The Rite of Spring established her husband! Schumann was also Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Stravinsky as one of the world’s much involved in publishing music Nutcracker, his fame rests on at leading composers. His music is criticism; he discovered Chopin least one masterpiece in every sensationally glittering, sometimes and later Brahms. He left genre: his operas Eugene Onegin barbaric; his striking rhythms were compositions in most genres, but is and Queen of Spades are widely most widely imitated. Stravinsky mostly celebrated for his vocal and performed, and the same goes for embarked on a new style, “neo- piano works. his symphonies No.4, No.5, and classicism”, music of the No.6 (with its vibrating solo part eighteenth-century viewed through Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich (1840- for bass trombone) and his twentieth-century eyes. He was 1893) Most popular Russian orchestral works. Equally admired nicknamed “the Picasso of music”; composer. The son of a middle- are the challenging piano concerto the two figures are the “modern” class mine engineer, Tchaikovsky No.1 and the violin concerto. The artists everyone has heard of. received a good education and piano trio The Seasons for solo piano lessons at the age of 8. At piano and many songs are of 10, he was sent to the School of equal quality.

50 51 Need for Speed Nathalie Kobrossi

The mission statement of the Faculty of Engineering states Are we on a racing track or is this what life is about? that the Faculty endeavors to graduate engineers who I understand that we live in a fast world where everything is quick; understand the ethical, social, everybody is in a rush and “everywhere” can be reached. It is the culture economic and environmental of “the most, the best, the fastest”. But what I do not understand is that context of their profession and the FAST virus has also contaminated students and particularly university who apply their knowledge students. and responsibility to develop ways to utilize the materials At school, students dream of being older and get excited about finishing and forces of nature for the quickly to go to university, where in their opinion real life starts! Everyone benefit of mankind. is free at university: choice of major, schedule and lifestyle. To achieve this, new Once they are at university, students do not really enjoy their university programs in Civil, years: overload of courses, summer semesters and the like. They cannot Mechanical, Electrical and wait to graduate! They are as excited as they were at school, this time in a Computer and different situation. However, the reason remains the same – to finish! Communication Engineering, now in their fourth year, have Why are these “Speedy Gonzales-es” in such a rush? Is the job already for objectives to prepare calling them? However, the regret starts once one graduates and is not students to enter immediately able to find a job. It is only at that moment that one will regret what one the professional practice on has been doing with one’s life, just speeding up. University years are the graduation as well as to best years in a person’s life. There is no need for speed; one should live pursue graduate study. One one’s life here and now. of their new components, the Approved Summer Training at Speaking of graduation, see you guys there! Do not get me wrong. I the end of the third year, really got the best out of my university years! made its debut in 2003-2004.

103 government agencies and companies hosted 153 NDU students. FE

F.E. at a Glance Dr. Shahwan Khoury, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

faculty members endeavor to The outcome was considered to strengthen and extend further. professional material-testing have been extremely successful services. The number of by the hosts, as some have Acceptance of student commercial tests reached 1,118 extended part-time work and/or applicants to engineering has in 2004. promised future employment to become progressively more trainees, and by the Faculty selective and this has enhanced Faculty resources are being members who evaluated the the faculty academic increased while high academic students’ training reports. atmosphere, which is partly standards are maintained. determined by the abilities and 100% of full-time faculty For graduate study, FE Alumni ambitions of the student body. members are Ph.D. holders. are continuing their education Enrollment in the Faculty of Their research output is steadily in Lebanon and abroad and Engineering is now 1005 increasing, with contributions to their performance has been a students. international refereed journals credit to NDU. in the USA and UK and to Student branches of international conferences held Our graduates were international professional in North America, Europe and instrumental in affecting a societies have been active in the Middle East. Research Memorandum of arranging for technical talks grants from the National Understanding between the and seminars by professional Council for Scientific Research University of Ulm and NDU, engineers and for professional have been made annually to whereby among other visits by members to Engineering Faculty members in provisions five graduate engineering companies at their the areas of sea pollution, positions are provided yearly to offices, plants and sites. There power systems and electrical NDU graduates by the were about twenty-five such energy quality. University of ULM. activities during the academic year 2003-2004. University experience “can’t be The peer assessment of our reduced to mere numbers.” The academic programs and Our co-academic members development of this experience outcomes on the local and continue to provide instruction is guided by the vision for FE to international level is one of and project guidance for our be at the forefront of many indicators that the students in the state-of-the-art Engineering Education in administrators, committees and laboratories and provide Lebanon and the Middle East.

52 53 IEEE Lebanon Section Elections From the Department

Dr. Elias Nasser, Chairperson of members’ careers and promoting The Lebanon section of the IEEE the NDU Electrical, Computer and community world-wide. The IEEE was established in November Communications Engineering promotes the engineering process 2004. The elections for the Department, has been elected to of creating, developing, Executive Committee took place in the position of Vice-Chairman of integrating, sharing, and applying February 2005. In addition to Dr. the Lebanon Institute of Electrical knowledge about electro- and Nassar as Vice Chair, the elected and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) information technologies and committee consists of Dr. Adnan section. sciences for the benefit of Alaoui (AUB), Chair, Dr. Hadi humanity and the profession. Sawaya (USJ-ESIB), Secretary, and The IEEE is the world’s largest Mr. Ghassan Shaaban (Dar El- professional organization and has The IEEE is divided into Handassah), Treasurer. more than 365,000 members. The geographical regions and sections. vision of the IEEE is to advance Lebanon is part of Region 8, which global prosperity by fostering includes Europe and the Middle technological innovation, enabling East.

IEEE Activities 2004-2005 Ralph Ayoub, IEEE Student Branch Chairperson

For the academic year 2004-2005 the aim of the IEEE NDU Student Officer in the IEEE Saudi Arabia Branch was to increase the Section, met members and others number of student members by a from different fields to enlighten recruitment campaign in October them about the value of IEEE 2004 under the title To US, IEEE Is membership and about the Essential. New members were to importance of the newly-opened be recruited from NDU North Lebanon section, confirmed just a Lebanon Campus and Shouf week previously. Campus, where IEEE has not been available. This campaign resulted The IEEE also organised many in a 50% increase in membership. seminars and collaborated in the Lebanon Campus. More It ended on December 10 with a two-day conference on Computer information may be obtained from conference at which Mr. Rami T. and Communications held on 22nd the branch website www.ieee- Al-Mushcab, Industrial Relations and 23rd April, 2005 at the North ndu.org. FE

The Scientific Conference for Computer & Communication NDU, NLC Information provided by Dr. Ali Harmush Nour Jaffan, CCE student, NDU-NLC, Ralph Ayoub, CCE student and IEEE student Branch Chairperson

The Scientific Conference for ended by the coordinator of the Computer and Communication conference Dr. Ali Harmoush, who sponsored by the Lebanese introduced the “Controversy of the President, Emile Lahoud, and the New Antenna Technology”. Association of “Al-Aazem wa Saada” began on Friday 22/4/2005 at The 3rd and last session in the 1st Dr. Khaled 10:15 am by the Lebanese anthem. day was started by Scientific Conference After several speeches given by Mouwas from the Communication several guests of honor including Ministry, GSM office, who explained President Lahoud’s representative about “Ogero, DSL Technology”. Mr. Nassif Kaloush, Mr. Abd Ilah The last subject was handled by Mikati, Mr. Salim Karam, Dr. Dr. Ali Assi from AUT, who Shahwan Khoury, Dr. Semaan wondered about the possibility of Georges and Dr. Ali Harmush, the ascertaining his dream in 1st session began at 11:15 am and performing a Semiconductor Industry was given by the two Army at Lebanon. engineers Muhammad Al Jebawi and Robert Mansour. They discussed The conference continued on the the following subject: 2nd day, Saturday 23/4/2005, at Effects of EM Fields” while ”Communication Systems Generally 10 am. The 1st session was opened Dr. Ahmad Rafii from CUT talked used by Armies”. by the speech of the representative about the “Distribution of EM Fields of Moscow Technical University of in Microwave Oven”. The overall Dr. Majed Khoder from MUT Communication and Informatics summary was read by student introduced a new subject about MTUCI, Dr. Philadimir Socholov. George Eid (CCE) at 1:45 pm. “Nanotechnology Applications” After that, Dr. Bashar Al Hasan and Dr. Clovis Francis from the LU from LU talked about “Wireless The scientific conference for talked about “Compatibility in Connectivity”. Dr. Mustafa Ziadeh, computer and communication was Third Generation GSM”. also from LU, explained the very motivating since it was a concept of “Optical Amplifier mixture of various important The 2nd session started at 2:00 pm Design”. Dr. Riad Saba from UOB subjects. Although some of the with Dr. Sobhi Bou Chahine from spoke about the “Information presentations were at a high the BAU, where he handled the Security; Opportunity or scientific level, students were able “Low Cost Design of Microwave Nightmare?”. The last session to understand and to gather Power Meter”. After him the detained at 12:15 pm opened with information on very important director of signals and radars at the Engineer Hiba Al Cheikh from subjects that will surely help them the Beirut International Airport Jinan University, who introduced a in their future. Moreover students Amin Jaber explained the “Miniaturization of Folded Dipole had the chance to meet and chat “Navigation Systems used at Beirut Antennas”. Dr. Elias Nassar from with researchers from several Airport”. The 2nd session was NDU discussed the “Biological universities.

54 55 Radiation from Cellular Phones and Human Health Dr. Elias Nassar Electrical, Computer and Communication Engineering Department

In recent years there has been a > ICNIRP Maximum SAR=2.0 A Computer model can be used to growing concern about the effects W/kg in 10 g of tissue. simulate the electromagnetic wave of electromagnetic radiation from > IEEE Maximum SAR=1.6 W/kg propagation in and around the cellular phones on the human in 1 g of tissue. head due to radiation from a body. The SAR is related to the amplitude cellular phone. of the electric field in the body and As the graphical representation in the properties of the body tissue. It Figure 2 shows a plot of the Figure 1 shows, making a phone is computed using the following magnitude of the electric field connection involves two-way formula: radiated by the phone and radiation between the cellular penetrating the head in a series of phone and the base station. The σ E 2 snapshots for several time instants problem lies in the fact that part of SAR = (W / kg) starting from the top left to the 2ρ the electromagnetic wave radiated bottom right. The time step is by the phone impinges on the indicated above each plot [10]. body of the person using the where E is the electric field in V/m, phone. Of particular interest is the σ is the conductivity of the tissue in Figure 3 shows the point SAR level energy that penetrates into the S/m, and ρ is the density of tissue inside the head when the phone is individual’s head, which is the in kg/m3. in contact with the head. The scale closest part of the body to the is shown to the right of the figure. phone and therefore receives the Extensive research has been done Note that the highest levels are on highest level of radiation. This and is still underway in order to the side of the head closest to the energy that penetrates into the obtain SAR values that result from phone location. head is known to cause heating of the exposure of the human head the head tissue and questions have to cellular phone radiation. These In Figure 4 the SAR level inside the arisen about whether it has studies use either computer head is plotted versus location cancerous effects [2,3]. simulations of the phone-head inside the head. The left side of the interactions or experimental plot corresponds to the side where There exist international standards measurements on physical models the cellular phone is located. The that specify the maximum exposure of the head. Findings to date are four different curves are for four levels for the energy radiated into summarized in reports published different separations of the phone the human body. The two main by the Federal Communications from the head, i.e, 0 cm (solid safety levels are published by the Commission (FCC) [6], the line), 1 cm (stars), 3 cm (square) International Commission on Non- National Council on Radiation and 6 cm (cross). We note from Ionizing Radiation Protection Protection (NCRP) [7], and the IEEE this plot that for a separation as (ICNIRP) [4] and the Institute of International Committee on small as 1 cm the SAR level drops Electrical and Electronics Engineers Electromagnetic Safety [8] in the by a factor of 2. (IEEE) [5]. The two specifications USA and the Independent Expert are in terms of the Specific Group on Mobile Phones [9] and Several companies have designed Absorption Rate (SAR) and are the Health Protection Agency [1] in protective devices such as caps listed below, the UK. and shirts made from conductive FE Figure 1: Energy radiated by the cellular phone [1] Figure 2: The progression of the field radiated from the cellular phone as it starts from the phone antenna (time step 80), penetrates the head (time step 320), is absorbed by the head tissue (time step 600) and finally decays to zero (time step 960). Figure 3: SAR levels inside the head when the phone is in contact with the head Figure 4: SAR levels inside the head for different separations of the phone from the head Figure 5: Protective hat sold by handy-fashions.com

materials such as silver that are meant to protect the phone user from radiation. A protective cap with flaps shown in Figure 5 was 1 35 evaluated for its shielding effectiveness using a computer model of the hat. The SAR level inside the head with the hat on and the flaps open was reduced by more than 80% [11]. Several types 2 4 of radiation shields were evaluated and results were reported by Manning and Densley in [12]. REFERENCES: [10] Elias M. Nassar and Fakhreddine [1] Health Protection Agency: Keyrouz, “Investigation of Radiowave Recently maximum SAR values for http://www.hpa.org.uk/ propagation from Cellular Phones and Means of Reducing its Effects on the different types of cellular phones [2] RF Cleveland and JL Ulcek: Questions Human Head”, The 3rd Conference on and answers about biological effects and were published and can be found Modeling and Simulation in Biology, potential hazards of radiofrequency Medicine and Biomedial Engineering, on the internet [13,14]. It is electromagnetic fields. OET Bulletin 56, University of Balamand, May 27-30, 1999. Online at: agreed that the lower the SAR 2003. value for the phone the less its http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/ bulletins/ [11] Fabien Damien and George Ballan, Simulation of RF Shielding Devices, effect will be on the head. [3] JD Boice JD and JK McLaughlin: Engineering Project Report, ECCE Epidemiological studies of cellular Department NDU, Fall 2004. Research is continuing worldwide telephones and cancer risk — A review. Stockholm, Swedish Radiation Protection [12] Manning and Densely, “On the concerning this issue but so far, Authority, 2002. effectiveness of various types of mobile except for a few studies mainly in On line at: phone radiation shields”, online at: http://www.ssi.se/ssi_rapporter/pdf/ssi_r http://www.dti.gov.uk/industry_files/pdf Sweden [15], no clear-cut app_2002_16.pdf /R500016att.pdf conclusions have been reached [4] International Commission on Non- [13] http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar/ concerning the harmful effects of Ionizing Radiation Protection: Guidelines [14] http://www.mmfai.org/public/sar.cfm for limiting exposure to time-varying [15] http://oem.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint this radiation. One reason for this electric, magnetic and electromagnetic /62/6/390 fields. Health Phys 74:494-522, 1998. lack of conclusive evidence is the [16] http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/ short period that cellular phones [5] IEEE -C95.1, 1991: Safety levels with respect to human exposure to radio have been in use. For this reason frequency electromagnetic fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz. IEEE, Piscataway, NJ. FURTHER READING: international bodies such as the Mobile Phones and Health 2004: Report by World Health Organization (WHO) [6] Guidelines for Evaluating the the Board of NRPB. Documents of the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency NRPB15:1-114,2004. Online at: [16] have recommended a Radiation (FCC 96-326), Federal www.nrpb.org/publications/documents_of_n precautionary approach to the use Communications Commission, rpb/abstracts/absd15-5.htm Washington, D.C., 1996. of cellular phones such as http://wireless.fcc.gov/ ZJ Sienkiewicz and CI Kowalczuk: A reducing the time the phone is [7] http://www.ncrponline.org/ Summary of Recent Reports on Mobile Phones and Health (2000-2004). Chilton, used and moving the phone away [8] http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/scc28/ National Radiological Protection Board, from the head; this approach is [9] Independent Expert Group on Mobile 2005. Online at: Phones: Report on Mobile Phones and http://www.nrpb.org/publications/w_series_r recommended until further Health. Chilton, Natl Radiol Protec eports/2005/nrpb_w65.htm epidemiological study results are Board, 2000. Online at: available. http://www.iegmp.org.uk/report/text.htm

56 57 AC Versus DC Power Systems Dr. Rabih A. Jabr, Asst. Professor, ECCE Dept., NDU

Electric power system is the name advantage of AC systems rests on generation, transmission and given to a group of power- the demonstration made in 1821 distribution of electric power are generating stations, transformers, by Michael Faraday that a time- based on Tesla’s seminal work. In switchgear and other electrical varying magnetic field induces a modern energy systems, three- elements which are interconnected voltage in a nearby wire. Faraday’s phase transformers allow each via overhead lines and Law implies that AC voltage can be part of the system to operate at its underground cables. Power stepped up or down by using a optimum voltage. Today, systems are designed to supply transformer. In 1886 William generators produce power at a consumers with electric energy. In Stanley, with the backing of voltage around 11 kV to 30 kV. the early days, power generators George Westinghouse, made the Using step-up transformers, produced direct current (DC), whilst first American demonstration of an transmission can take place at 115 today alternating current (AC) AC power system supplying electric kV, 230 kV, 345 kV, or even prevails. In fact it was Thomas lighting to twenty-five businesses. higher voltage levels. These high Edison, America’s most celebrated Stanley’s creation used an voltages result in a drastic inventor, who first showed that improved transformer design which reduction in power transmission electrical energy can be supplied is the prototype for essentially all losses. The reason is twofold. from generating stations to end modern-day voltage transformers. Firstly, for the same power, as the users via a transmission and In 1888 Westinghouse heard of voltage is increased the current is distribution system. Edison’s Tesla’s poly-phase AC motor and decreased by the same factor. method used low-voltage DC. immediately realized its importance Secondly, power loss in However, it suffered from a for the advancement of AC transmission lines is mainly due to fundamental problem: at low technology. Soon Westinghouse resistive heating of the conductors voltage levels, the power loss in the purchased Tesla’s AC patents and and is proportional to the square line severely limits the distance at employed him to work further on of the current. For instance, a 345 which electric power can be their development. Nikola Testa is kV line carries one-third as much economically transmitted. In the widely considered to be the father current as a 115 kV line if both 1880 Edison two-wire lighting of the AC poly-phase system. overhead lines are transmitting the system, the voltage had to be fixed same power. Thus, for the same at 100 or 110 V for successful Tesla’s breakthroughs led to rivalry conductor size and power, the loss operation of the incandescent between the advocates of the in the 345 kV line would be only electric lights. Consequently, the Edison DC power system and the one-ninth of that in the 115 kV service area was limited. advocates of the Westinghouse AC line. In AC systems loads no system, but AC quickly prevailed. longer have to be restricted to the The solution was in AC power The three-phase systems which are vicinity of the power-generating generation. The outstanding now employed worldwide for station. Loads can take power at 22 V, 380 V, etc., as required by FE

National Grant for ECCE Dept.

The National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon has approved funding for the following research proposal presented by Dr. S. Georges from the ECCE Department at NDU in the academic year 2004 – 2005.

Title: Design of an active power filter for power quality improvement of the Lebanese network. Abstract: Power quality problems are becoming increasingly important in the Lebanese power sector because of the changing nature of customer loads. the consumer, again through the Manufacturing processes are becoming more automated and electronic customer use of step-down transformers. loads are becoming more sensitive to voltage variations. In addition, the Another advantage of the AC as increased use of energy-efficient power electronic technologies along with stricter compared to DC is that it is more harmonic standards and limits are causing more harmonic problems than before. economical to construct a circuit- The main purpose of this research is to analyze, design and develop (in a later breaker to interrupt alternating stage) active filters for reducing the harmonic distortion in the Lebanese power current. The frequency of the AC distribution network, and to increase the power factor at critical connection points. system in Lebanon is 50 Hz. In Topologies will be chosen on the basis of collective real-world data and the design of new control schemes will be based on a Pulse Modulation Strategy. The Europe the frequency is also 50 anticipated results of this research would show that the application of the active Hz, but on the American continent filters contributes greatly to the improvement of power quality in Lebanon and it is 60 Hz. increases the efficiency of the transmission power systems by reducing technical losses, which means savings in the total cost of operation One may wonder if DC power systems are still in operation today. In fact, DC transmission via cables Project description has found an interesting use in Nowadays the use of static converters has become widely common, especially in modern power systems. The the industrial and domestic fields. Acting as nonlinear loads, these electronic reason is that AC transmission of interfaces contribute to the deterioration of the main power quality, which is power is highly advantageous only characterized by harmonic distortion in the supply voltages and currents. The when done via overhead lines. If presence of such undesirable harmonics may reduce the efficiency of the the transmission lines are taken transmission power systems (by increasing their technical losses) and damage the underground, the cables energized electrical devices connected to the network (over-voltages, overheating, etc.). In with AC voltage will suffer from the case of the well-known three-phase diode rectifier, the current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) factor attains 31% for a highly inductive load, and can be much large charging currents which higher for a capacitive one. In order to increase the network efficiency and the effectively limit the distance of AC reliability of the devices connected to it, harmonic distortion must be limited and power transmission. The DC cable devices that ensure a high power factor are to be considered. under the English Channel is an example which links the British Project objectives system to the French system. The main goal of this research is to design, analyze and develop active filters that would eliminate undesirable harmonics, improve the quality of the electric power, REFERENCES increase the power factor at critical connection points, reduce technical losses in [1] J.A. Harrison, The Essence of Electric Power the Lebanese power grid and decrease the operational cost. Systems. London: Prentice Hall, 1996. [2] C.L. Sulzburger, “Triumph of AC from Pearl Street to Niagara”, IEEE Power and The proposed solution can be applied to solve power quality problems in other Energy Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, May/June 2003, pp. 64-67. power systems.

58 59 MOBILE PHONE LOCATION Jinane Mounsef, ECCE Department Computer & Communication Engineer, M.E., Lab Instructor at NDU, Faculty of Engineering.

I. INTRODUCTION — The position must be calculated day [2]. In response to the The use of location information to within a few seconds after the increasing demand on the system, adapt the applications to the beginning of the call. the FCC (Federal Communication current location and provide the — The location information should Commission) started an initiative to user information that is relevant to be shown on the map. make the 911 phone service more the current situation is a — Uncertainty in the location effective. This has come in the fascinating concept. It is based on information should also be form of regulations requiring the the fact that the relevance of the shown on the map, so that the telephone companies to add information is closely related to the system can ask for additional features to their phone networks to location. In fact, the development information to decide. aid in the effective dispatch of of wireless communication systems This article describes briefly the emergency services. In this case, available today for mobile different applications and the 911 dispatcher provides environments and the evolution of techniques in the mobile location information such as the phone smaller and more powerful mobile field as well as their feasibility. number and address of the 911 computing devices provide the caller. This is a great help in prerequisites to access information situations where a 911 caller does anywhere at any time. 2. ENHANCED 911 SERVICE not know his or her location, is FOR CELLULAR SYSTEMS disoriented or even becomes For these reasons, it is desirable to This section gives a brief overview unconscious during the call. establish a mobile location service of the Enhanced 911 (E911) for cellular phones. Such a service regulation for wireless service With the rapidly increasing should have the following providers. popularity of wireless phones, requirements [1]: more and more emergency phone The 911 emergency calling system calls are being made over the — The location information must was introduced in 1968 and has wireless phone network. In 1994 in be unique within the wireless since become a very important the United States, almost 18 network coverage. factor in providing effective million wireless 911 phone calls — The accuracy must be emergency service. In the United were made [2]. The total number reasonable – within a few States, approximately 260,000 of cellular subscribers in the United hundred meters. 911 phone calls are made every States currently exceeds 33 millions FE

Figure 1. Currency change using current location. Figure 2. Calling 911 using current location. Figure 3. Finding nearest hotels using current location.

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and in a recent survey 62% of and information services. By using b. Safety cellular users said safety and the location information, the Safety area includes many possible security were their main reasons applications can better adapt applications. Most attention has for getting a wireless phone [2]. themselves to the environment and been given to emergency call provide the user useful information locating. Since FCC has ordered Despite this, most cellular service that is relevant to the current every mobile 911 emergency call providers only support the most situation of the user. Such in the United States to be located basic 911 services. As a result, the applications that use the location within 125m on the 1st of October FCC passed in 2001 the following information are called location 2001, this has created a need for regulation: by October 1, 2001, aware and the whole concept is the wireless operators to develop all cellular service providers must called location awareness. and take into use the location be able to determine the longitude tracking services. Figure 2 shows and latitude of a 911 caller within an example of safety service. Also, a radius of 125m. a. Billing different kinds of push services that Location-based billing provides the provide information or warnings possibility for operators to bill can be implemented. This could 3. APPLICATION AREAS different rates based on the mean, for example, that, if there There are millions of handheld location. This could mean that you has been a toxic waste accident, devices such as mobile phones and get cheaper calls at predefined all the people in the area could be PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) in areas, for example at home and at advised to stay inside. [3] use today. Because of the mobile office. You could also change your nature of these devices, there are predefined areas by sending a many occasions where it would be message to the operator. Other c. Information an advantage to know the current examples of billing could be Information providing has endless location of the device. This location automatic billing at theatres, possibilities in location-aware information can be used to provide cinemas, trains and busses. These applications. Location information all kinds of value-added services services would be based on can be used to help in navigation that we could not have dreamed proximity awareness. An example while traveling or provide about before. These include new of this kind of service is shown in information about where is the kinds of advertising, navigation, figure 1 [3]. nearest restaurant or flower shop.

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Tourist guides that use location The different location technologies information can show background currently being examined by the information about the current wireless telecommunications position of the tourist. Other industry are Enhanced Observed information services could include Time Difference (E-OTD), Time things such as traffic warnings or Difference of Arrival (TDOA), and advertisements pushed to the Angle of Arrival (AOA). These handset as seen in techniques are called network figure 3 [3]. based technologies since the system. The first is to develop a network needs to be upgraded with system that can reliably produce additional base stations (antennas) mobile location estimates under all 4. LOCATION TECHNOLOGIES that are used for time calculation circumstances. The second GSM (Global System for Mobile of the signal transmission and criterion is that the system should Communications) already has reception. Therefore, distance is require little or no modifications of some rudimentary location deduced. The other examined the base stations and preferably capability. The system knows the techniques are GPS and A-GPS. no modifications at all of the cell site/sector where an active They are called handset mobiles. The reason for this is the GSM user is currently located. For technologies since the handset large investment that has already some location services, the needs to be upgraded with a GPS been made in existing GSM granularity is sufficient. By system that communicates with infrastructure. There are already combining this information with satellites and determines the thousands of base stations and timing advance measurements, it is distance of the caller. The first millions of mobiles in use. Even a possible to fix the user’s location category has in general a good small modification of this even further. In fact, location- indoor as well as outdoor equipment would be very based services use one of several performance. However, the main expensive. available position-fixing methods, disadvantage consists in the huge all of which have their limitations. expenses of upgrading the Some require the SIM (Subscriber infrastructure. As for the second REFERENCES Identity Module) card, or even the category, its main disadvantage [1] Svein Yngvar Willassen, “A method for implementing Mobile Station Location in mobile terminal itself, to be consists of its poor indoor GSM”, December 1998. changed, whereas others require performance because of satellite [2] Federal Communications Commission, “Revision to the commission’s rules to changes at the network level. The invisibility [5]. ensure compatibility with enhanced 911 ways in which the chosen method emergency calling systems”, July 1996, CC Docket No. 94-102. affects the global telecom network [3] Motorola, “Location Services will have a direct impact on the 5. Conclusion Demonstrator”, August 2001. operator’s investments. Mobile phone location is a [4] Stephen Hayes, “Location Services, just a matter of time!”, ETSI Mobile News, Consequently, the aim is to challenging problem. There are 2000 GSM World Congress. minimize such an impact [4]. two main criteria that must be met [5] Jaako Lahteenmaki, Heikiki Laitinen, and Tero Nordstrom, “VTT Information when developing a mobile location Technology”, 2001. FE

Regional ACM Competition NDU Computer and Communication Engineering Students Participate. Charles Aad, CCE student

“Programming is the ultimate sport of the mind”: this is the slogan of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) that brings together the brightest students of the world in a prestigious competition. The Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) has been organizing this event since the ‘seventies, and this year a total of 4,109 teams representing 1,582 institutions of higher education participated worldwide. Only seventy-eight teams advanced to A general view of the teams taking part in the ACM competition in Kuwait University. the world finals, held in Shanghai, China. We left Lebanon on Tuesday, 30th We ran on a very tight schedule As undergraduate students from November in the afternoon and for the three days and we didn’t Notre Dame University, we had the were back on Friday, 3rd have much spare time. We opportunity to participate in the December. We were given a great participated in the opening Arab and North African Regional welcome by ACM volunteers from ceremony and attended a talk on Competition (ANARC), where only Kuwait University. We stayed in the mapping the Internet and Intranets one team qualified for the finals. Safir Palace Hotel, almost twenty by Bill Cheswick and another talk The regionals took place at Kuwait minutes from the competition site. about the contest rules and the University, and our team, “Team The hospitality of the organizers judging system. Furthermore, we NDU”, consisted of three was amazing, for they were keen participated in an official training Aad engineering students, namely on assisting us in every detail and session for the teams. As for the Charles Bechara Charly , and we were very well treated. contest, it lasted exactly five hours. Chemali Karim. We felt under a lot of pressure.

62 63 Each team received a set of nine We had the opportunity to meet Last but not least, we would also problems and had to solve a students from the region and learn like to thank our parents, Notre maximum number of these about their skills, experience and Dame University, the Faculty of problems on a single computer. cultures. We also had the good Engineering with its Dean Our team, bearing the NDU fortune to meet the contest Dr. Shahwan Khoury, the EE and name, was taking part for the first director, researchers from various CCE Department and its chairman time. We faced very challenging countries around the world, and Dr. Elias Nassar, and the Faculty opponents and achieved faculty members from renowned members. Without all their help “Honorable Mention”, doing better universities in the region. In and support, this dream of ours than some teams participating for addition, we had a close look at would have never been a reality. the second time! The awards were the Kuwait University campuses, distributed in the evening in the which are really breathtaking. The ICPC is held yearly. The Chamber of Commerce. A formal number of participants is growing dinner was also including, taking Most importantly, we learned to every year. We were pleased to the form of a farewell party for the plan our programs and to always face the challenge and to teams. All the judges, participants, test them with multiple inputs to represent our institution in such a volunteers and helpers in this ensure their correctness and large-scale event. It was a new successful event were honored at validity. Furthermore, we and fruitful experience that this celebration. We headed back developed our recursion skills, exposed us to new horizons in to Beirut the next morning. worked on an online judging academia. We were the first to system, and tackled new problems participate on behalf of NDU, but in the programming domains. we certainly hope for our University to have further representation in the future. FE

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT NDU, TODAY AND A LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE….. Dr. Walid C. Assaf Chairman of Department

Mechanical Engineering Program the American Society of Graduates of the program are at NDU has developed into what it Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and employed in industry and is now, thanks to the efforts of its the American Society of Heating, construction. Some have gone faculty, students, graduates of the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning abroad for advanced degrees in previous years (who number 141 Engineers (ASHRAE). the Mechanical Engineering field since the start in 1995) and the as well as in Naval Science and support of the University. This coming Summer and Fall 05 Aeronautics. Semesters, the Department will The Department has grown to 230 host its first Fulbright Fellow, who Demand for graduates remains students served by four full-time will be working on The Design of a high and is expected to continue faculty members and three part- Robotic Manipulator System for In- this way in view of the rising costs timers. All seven faculty members Service Oil Tank Inspection. of energy and the increasing hold PhD degrees in the field of concerns on environmental issues. their specialties from Europe, the Through careful choice of elective United Kingdom, Canada, courses, students may graduate Mechanical Engineering at NDU is Australia and the USA. Among with a Bachelor of Engineering taking advantage of the common them, five, or over 70%, are Degree in Mechanical Engineering use of computer codes in design, Canadian, Australian and US dual with emphasis in one of the manufacturing and controls and nationals. following four areas of expects further pressures moving in specialization: this direction, from a change to Strong participation in professional complete automated laboratories activities by the faculty included — Controls & Electromechanical for instruction to fully presentations of papers in Systems ( Mechatronics ) programmable class rooms! international conferences and — Manufacturing and Joining advising in industry as well as Processes participation in the LIRA-Program — Energy Conversions, Power & (Lebanese Industrial Research Environmental Systems Achievements-Program). Faculty — Advanced Studies in Thermal and students are involved in Science and Solid Mechanics activities in the local chapters of

64 65 Heating System with Storage Dr. Walid C. Assaf

In point of fact, a home-made heating system with thermal storage and waste heat recovery was put together by the author from locally available materials and built-up units. After 18 years of operation this system has proven its worth in terms of comfort heating and an overwhelming inexpensive supply of hot water.

Central to this system, as shown in the diagram, is a well-insulated 1.8 cubic meter hot-water supply and storage tank, one square meter in cross sectional-area and 1.8 meters long. This tank is used to store heated water from several sources of heat energy.

First and foremost among these sources of heat energy are the six square meters of flat passive solar absorbing panels that supply heated water through a closed circuit heat exchanger immersed in the storage tank.

Second, three, 3-phase, 1000 watt each, electrical heaters are adjoining walls in order to recover inserted into the storage tank and waste energy by heating the wall has emerged from the experience supplied by city electric lines space during winter months before of operating this system, not the and/or stand-by generator. exhausting to the atmosphere.) least of which lies in the choice of materials and in the sequence of Third, a hot-water line is routed Fourth, a waste-wood burner is operation. A comprehensive from the boiler-fuel oil burner unit used to add heat to the storage engineering analysis that includes to circulate through a heat tank. Waste wood is available fuel burning and water-flow rates exchanger adding to the energy from the adjoining four acres of will be made available to those stored in the 1.8 cubic meter water forest surrounding the house. interested in the design and tank. (note: the hot gases leaving construction of such systems at a the burner are passed through A wealth of practical information later date. FE

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers A S M E Charbel Wehbe President A S M E, N D U Chapter

A S M E committee: From left to right, Wissam Rashed (Student Programs), Charbel Wehbe (President), Dr. Ghazi Asmar (Advisor), Ralph Saade (Vice-President), and Founded in 1880 as The American Jad Maalouf (Secretary). Not photographed: Rawad Eid (Treasurer). Society of Mechanical Engineers (A S M E), today’s A S M E is a community of 120000 members dealing with professional, educational and research issues of Dr. Ghazi Asmar, and there is a Several activities were planned for engineering and technology. The committee of five student members the academic year 2004-2005. In goals of this society are to promote formed of a president, vice- the fall semester 2004, a field trip to and enhance the technical president, treasurer, secretary, and General Manufacturing and competency and professional well- student programmer. Each Maintenance G M M (Nakad), a being of the members, through academic year a new committee is manufacturing firm, took place. In quality programs and activities. elected by student members. addition, two symposia were held by The headquarters and service Mitsulift engineers and Mr. Antoun center are located in New York The society’s aim is to promote the Daou from Rice University (U S A). City, U S A. engineering profession through These symposia were organized with conferences, field trips, and the collaboration of another As a member of the A S M E, you literature, and through involving engineering organization on receive many benefits, such as a students in engineering-related campus (I E E E). Also, a video CD mechanical engineering magazine, activities, so providing its members of the mechanical engineering lab the A S M E newspaper, and with knowledge and experience. As project was recorded and distributed access to the publications, where an A S M E member, you are to students and faculty members. you can find the latest entitled to all the publications Along with the academic activities, A technological information and a offered by the organization; S M E participated in the NDU full database, which includes 21 furthermore you can participate in Christmas fiesta as an extra- technical journals. Also as a the activities undertaken by the N curricular activity to raise funds and member, you receive up to 20% of D U chapter. The A S M E office encourage membership enrolment. discount on subscription to such located in the Engineering Faculty materials. Furthermore, you can complex is open during the Many more activities were planned take courses and be up-to-date on registration period to ease the for the spring semester 2005, cutting-edge technology via the registration process for the among which were field trips to the members. Currently A S M E has Litany hydraulic power plant, the continuing education program. 28 active members as of spring Georgio Refrigeration Group, 2005, and new applications are IVECO Truck Dealership, and The N D U chapter of A S M E is being processed. Master Pack. one of only two chapters in Lebanon. The society’s advisor is

66 67 Solid Mechanics and its Applications Dr. Ghazi Asmar, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

A student majoring in mechanical engineering at NDU is required to take courses which form part of a subject commonly known in engineering as Solid Mechanics. Unlike scientists who try to Every serious university possessing understand and explain the a mechanical, aerospace or civil phenomena which occur in nature engineering program includes, in with the help of science, engineers its course curriculum, the study of use that science to build things for Avionics is the integration of this subject, which is necessary for the benefit of mankind. Moreover, various hydraulic and electronic the formation of skilled engineers they need to build them to be safe, systems to provide guidance and and able researchers. In the reliable, efficient and durable. control. Department of Mechanical Engineering at NDU, courses in Anyone who has observed an solid mechanics range from airplane in flight will quickly realize Finally, the many components that elementary mechanics of materials the importance of solid mechanics make up an airplane need to stay to more advanced topics in for such a complex system to together, i.e., the structure has to fracture mechanics, without function safely. remain in one piece, and this is neglecting subjects such as where solid mechanics comes into vibrations and design. What, then, An airplane requires a means to play. Only through extensive is solid mechanics and why is it of give it forward motion, thus structural studies and designs of fundamental importance to would- engines are placed on it. This the whole aircraft (fuselage, wings, be engineers and graduate constitutes the propulsion part of landing gears, etc.), are engineers students? the aircraft. able to produce a machine which can safely fulfill its intended task. It needs to be lifted off the ground For example, every time a Loosely speaking, solid mechanics and remain above ground, passenger jet plane takes off and is the study of deformation of therefore, it acquires wings large reaches its normal cruising bodies – solid bodies – under the enough to carry the structure in the altitude, the entire fuselage action of loads (e.g., forces and air. This is the role of expands due to the difference in pressures), a sort of cause and aerodynamics. pressure between the outside and effect on structures. One synonym the inside of the cabin, the inside of the word “mechanics” would be It needs to be steered and remaining at a pressure close to 1 “behavior”. Thus, solid mechanics controlled while in flight and on atmosphere and the outside being, is the study of the behavior of the ground. Here is where avionics of course, at a much lower solids when they are subjected to plays the predominant role. pressure. If the fuselage were not loads. strong enough to withstand the FE

Fig. 1. Sections of an L-1011 Lockheed Tristar Fuselage Fig. 2. The Pantheon in Rome, Italy

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From artificial limbs to submarine hulls to aircraft fuselages and tall buildings, solid mechanics forms an integral part of those resistance of a shell to loading engineering principles and is a because of its form. necessary tool for the creative mind of the engineer. The Romans recognized the strength of shells although they did A thorough knowledge of the high stresses that develop as a mechanics of beams, columns, result of such a deformation, it not, of course, have the engineering knowledge we possess frames, trusses, plates and shells, would simply break in flight and all of which are ingredients for the plane would disintegrate. today. Figure 2 shows a picture of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy, along structures and machines intended with its dome, which spans a to facilitate and improve the lives Figure 1 shows the sections that distance of 43.4m and rises to a of people, is a requirement for any are normally assembled to form height of 21.6m. Arches and engineer involved in the design the fuselage of a Lockheed Tristar domes were Roman structures and analysis of such things. passenger jet. To the structural many of which still exist today, no engineer or the stress analyst, the doubt thanks to the skills of the Submarines, ships, cars, planes, fuselage represents what is known builders of ancient times but also trains and buildings are all in solid mechanics as a cylindrical because of their inherent strength. structures which are designed to shell. The same engineering principles carry loads and which, that enable this impressive building consequently, are prone to failure, Shells are curved surfaces in space to remain standing centuries after sometimes with disastrous results. capable of resisting relatively high it was built now protect the hull of It is, therefore, imperative to loads. Domes, cylinders and a submerged submarine against predict their behavior using tools spheres represent common the crushing pressures of the from science, mathematics and examples of shells. Shells are ocean depths or allow the engineering. Solid mechanics is an structures which derive their passengers of a large jet to travel engineering branch which is strength from their shape despite in safety and comfort or even help indispensable for their safe design the fact that they may be very thin. a person with a missing limb to and operation. Who would fly in The amazing capability of a lead a normal life through the an airplane knowing that at any chicken egg, which is a natural implantation of an artificial moment the wing may break? shell, to withstand large member, an example of the compressive forces at its poles application of engineering for without breaking is a well-known medical purposes. illustration of the inherent

68 69 Renewable Energy Wissam Daou Laboratory Assistant BE Mechanical Engineering, NDU 99

Introduction “We do not own the planet; we are just borrowing it from our children.”

During the past 100 years we have PART ONE: Energy requirements for heating water and consumed more of the earth’s conventional methods resources than our ancestors did in Consider a typical house of five people. The average daily consumption the previous thousands of years. of a person is 50 liters of hot water at 60 degrees Celsius. With cold water coming from the supply mains at a temperature of 20°C, the The materialistic and energy- energy required to heat up this quantity of 250 liters (50 x 5) of water is hungry life-style has caused given by: Q = m.c.ΔT and this gives a result of 41830 kilo joules of heat enormous damage to the earth’s (it takes 4.184 kilo-joules to raise the temperature of one kilogram of environment. water one degree Celsius at room temperature. m=mass of water in kilograms, c=kilo-joules per kilogram degree Celsius, ΔT=temperature Many researchers and difference in degrees Celsius.) environmentalists are directing their efforts towards renewable energy Conventional methods for heating water require electric resistance sources as a replacement for fossil elements, diesel burners, natural gas, heat pumps, and wood. fuel and nuclear power. Harnessing the power of the sun becomes an Considering the case of an electric water heater, the time required to heat attractive clean alternative to up 250 liters of water from 20°C to 40°C by a 1500 W electrical resistance smoke-belching fossil-fuel element is nearly 8 hours. machines.

This article, which is divided into PART TWO: Solar water-heating in Lebanon three parts, addresses the issues Assuming that 200,000 houses use 1500 watts electric resistance to heat involved in the utilization of solar water in Lebanon, these houses will be consuming 300 MW for 8 hours. energy and indicates the state of This is equivalent to Zouk power plant running more than five or six hours the art in Lebanon. on full load. Should the houses all shift to solar water heating, the effect on the economy as well as on the environment will be enormously Part one sets the scene for energy beneficial, with great savings on fuel and electricity bills for the users. required to heat water and the conventional methods of water Lebanon is located in an area in which solar energy is highly available heating. Part two presents the and the use of solar water heating systems is commonplace. For instance, effect of using solar water-heating Turkey supplies 60% of its domestic hot water using solar energy. in Lebanon and the availability of Southern Turkey supplies more than 80% of domestic hot water using solar water-heating systems in solar energy. Other countries in the region can and do supply from 65% neighboring countries. Part three to 80% of their water heating requirements by the use of solar energy. lists the different technologies in solar systems in general and Solar energy available on a collector’s surface is measured by discusses vacuum tube systems in KWH/m2/day and is denoted by insolation level. This value varies particular. between one day and another and mostly between one season and another. The following chart illustrates the insolation level in Lebanon. Figure 1: Solar Systems on Roofs of Buildings at Mersin/Turkey FE Figure 2: Insolation Level in Beirut Area - Reference: www.tecsol.fr Figure 3: Flat Plate Collector - Reference: www.eere.energy.gov Figure 4: Vacuum tube Figure 5: Vacuum Tube System / Roumieh-Lebanon Figure 6: Vacuum Tube – Principle of operation

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These values are considered to be high values and when utilized can As can be seen from the table have a positive impact on both the economy and the environment. above, 45% of the electrical consumption is due to water heating. PART THREE: Different technologies Utilizing solar radiation can be accomplished using two basic methods. How much can a solar system Method One is by transforming solar radiation energy into electrical save? energy by using photovoltaic cells. However, photovoltaic solar panels are still very expensive and the savings do not justify the capital cost of From the solar energy data installing a complete system. In addition, storage systems (batteries) are available for Lebanon, efficient considered to be environmentally unfriendly. Method Two is by solar systems can produce 70% of transforming solar energy into thermal energy. Thermal solar panels are the hot water required per year. In considered to be an ideal solution since pay-back periods can be reduced addition, with a little reduction in to three years. Domestic hot water heating contributes significantly to the consumption, this value can be as total energy consumption in a typical housing unit excluding space high as 80%. This value is heating and cooling costs. The table below illustrates the energy confirmed by most of the families consumption in a typical house. using solar water-heating systems.

Domestic Electrical Consumption per Month Appliance Number in thousands Unitary Consump. In Kwh Total Consump. In Tj % consumption Lighting 680 371.5 909.4 14.5 Refrigerator 680 342.1 837.7 13.4 Freezer 680 77.8 190.4 3 Iron 680 205.2 502.2 8 Extractor 680 34.2 83.9 1.3 aElectric oven 680 54.0 132.1 2.1 Electric boiler 680 29.7 72.7 1.2 Laundry washer 680 97.2 238.0 3.8 Hair dryer 680 8.1 19.8 0.3 Radio 680 18.6 45.4 0.7 TV B/W 680 17.6 42.8 0.7 TV color 680 103.7 253.8 4.1 Table fan 680 18.6 45.4 0.7 Roof fan 680 10.5 25.9 0.4 Electric water heater 680 1166.4 2855.5 45.7 TOTAL 680 2555.2 6255 100.0

*Reference: Estimation de la demande d’énergie électrique pour le système Libanais CDR, EDL, EDF (Juin 1992)

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Different Types of Solar Systems Appreciation The following letter was received by Different types of solar water Dr. Shahwan Khoury, Dean of heating systems have been Engineering, It was sent by Joe Boulos, sometimes to a collector. Each Chairman and General Manager of designed. However the most The RIGHT ANGLE, SAL. popular design is the flat plate vacuum tube consists of two glass collector. Recent systems are tubes, one inside the other. Its Dear Dr. Khoury, walls are evacuated to minimize adopting the vacuum tube This is to inform you that Eng. Wissam technology for residential heat loss to the surrounding Daou managed in a single day to applications. environment. repair the hot water system we have at home. For your perspective, the system The tube is made of borosilicate is a sophisticated one (Grumman A flat-plate collector is a metal Sunstream-USA). It was installed 22 box with a glass or plastic cover glass having very low reflectivity. years ago by my late father but never (called glazing) on top and a dark- The inside tube is covered with a worked, as the people sho installed it couldn’t commission it properly. My colored absorber plate on the special coating which features excellent heat absorption and father had given up on it at the time. bottom. The sides and bottom of Now since I came back to living in the the collector are usually insulated minimum heat reflection rates. same building, I decided to divert the to minimize heat loss. Figure 4 presents a vacuum tube system for my own family use. The first solar system at the roof of a typical technical team I brought couldn’t figure out why the equipment, house in Lebanon. Figure 5 Sunlight passes through the seemingly still in mint condition, glazing and strikes the absorber illustrates the working principle of wouldn’t deliver. a vacuum tube system. plate, which heats up, changing Finally I met Eng. Wissam Daou, who solar energy into thermal energy. immediately committed himself to The heat is transferred to liquid In Lebanon, due to the high service us and confidently promised insolation (term used for incident me we would have hot water available passing through pipes attached to from the system the next day. Of the absorber plate. Absorber energy from the sun) levels, any course, I was skeptical at first. Then I plates are commonly painted with type of system, if well installed, can watched Wissam, who reasoned “selective coatings”, which absorb provide very good results. In methodically, eliminating various addition, due to the continuous diagnoses of the problem until he and retain heat better than found the right answer (related to the ordinary black paint. increase in fuel prices and the lack of pressure in the collectors). increasing awareness for Frankly, I was pleased with Wissam’s A vacuum tube collector consists of environmental issues, solar systems spirit of service, technical skills and a number of vacuum tubes are becoming “a must and not a speed of work. I wish him all the best. luxury” as it was viewed a decade connected to a storage tank or Best regards, Joe Boulos. ago. FE

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23 Turbo Accessories Fig.1: Turbo Basics Fig.2: Blow Off Valve Wissam Rashed Fig.3: Wastegate Senior Mechanical Engineering Student

Turbochargers, commonly known burned in the cylinder, resulting in as Turbos, are devices which are a greater power output. This used to boost the power output of means that with higher speed engines. Throughout the years, more power is produced. Wastegate turbos have undergone major The sole purpose of a wastegate is changes especially in the to bypass some exhaust flow automotive industry and in Blow Off Valve (B.O.V) around the turbine section of the machines used for energy A Blow Off Valve (Fig.2), turbocharger to control maximum production. The demand for a commonly known as a dump boost. It is usually controlled by a greater amount of energy output valve, is a pressure relief valve. It pressure actuator that is operated or horsepower has led to such gives the sound that characterizes by the manifold pressure. The changes. a turbocharged car, a sound which wastegate is normally held closed many find charming. The purpose by a spring inside the actuator However, unleashing the beast in of this valve is to relieve the canister. When preset pressure the turbocharger could cause pressure of the compressed air limits are exceeded, the actuator detrimental effects on the engine; coming out of the turbocharger progressively opens the wastegate thus protective accessories are and going into the intake manifold allowing the exhaust flow to usually added in order to control during the time it is closed, i.e., bypass the turbine, thus regulating the damage caused by when the throttle valve is closed, the manifold boost pressure. overboosting. meaning that the car is not accelerating or no pressure is This article explained some This article discusses some of those applied on the gas pedal. It effective and inexpensive ways to accessories particularly used in car prevents the turbine from stalling boost and protect a turbocharged engines. (freezing or stopping), therefore engine. More expensive means reducing turbo lag (delay). could be used, for example, having a bigger turbo or using a Turbo Basics: The inside of a B.O.V is essentially different material (e.g., ceramics), As shown in Fig.1, a turbo is a spring. By varying the spring or a bigger intercooler. Moreover, composed of two parts: a turbine stiffness (hardness), different a turbo timer, a Fuel Cut Defender and a compressor. The exhaust B.O.V’s can be made causing an (FCD), an Anti Lag System (ALS gases spin the turbine wheel which increase or decrease of the turbo also called a bang-bang), a in turn spins the compressor wheel lag. Of course, for better bleeder valve or even the exhaust that compresses the incoming air, performance, the turbo lag should system could be changed and which allows more fuel to be be minimized. replaced with larger exhaust manifolds and hidders.

72 73 The Engineering Code of Ethics: Towards Engineering a More Stable Community! Dr. George Hassoun May 2005

Have you ever been stuck in a uni- education institutions (how many at a disadvantage, in the long directional traffic jam on a two- instructors do you know have not run, by adding another strain to directional road when on your way been contacted by a certain the already over-strained system to work? “Khaweja” asking for “a push” in (e.g. further suffocating the favor of a relative or an traffic bottleneck, in the case of If so, you would have certainly acquaintance?) the road Queue Jumpers, noticed one or more motorists resulting in further long-term leaving the line behind you, In the Queue Jumpers’ mind, the delays.) driving forward at full speed in the idea of making a gain in the wrong direction, by-passing a shortest possible time is of extreme 3. Often resort to extreme number of vehicles, and then urgency, especially as they are measures and take great risks trying to pull ahead of an almost always “trying to reach their trying to reach their goals (a unsuspecting motorist! aims for a good cause, a dangerous head-on collision ‘Khedmeh’, such as driving a with an incoming car is a Well … Welcome to the world of friend to the airport, etc..” realistic risk for road Queue “Queue Jumping”! Ironically enough, Queue Jumpers Jumpers!) may well be honest and sincere in Queue Jumping is quite common stating that aim! What they fail to For those unfamiliar with Control especially in under-developed realize, however, is that by acting Systems Theory, reaching a short- countries, and not only on the the way they do, they – term gain at the expense of a road, but also in many other long-term, wide-range penalty and places: in the market (how many 1. Disrespect and place a larger a short-term risk is a well-known times have you been by-passed by section of the community at a control system behavior (see Figure a shopper who took your turn in disadvantage (road Queue 1): the intended aim is initially the bakery or the bank, without the Jumpers, for example, take the reached within a short Rise Time, slightest qualm about his/her act!), turns of other law-abiding Tr (i.e. short-term gain - as in government offices (have you motorists waiting in line.) exemplified by a short distance ever observed the behavior of the gained by the road Queue “Bayk’s” cousin in the local Town 2. Often exacerbate the problem Jumper), but at the expense of a

Hall?), and even in higher at hand and place themselves long Settling Time, Ts (i.e. long- FE

1 2

Figure 1. Typical Response of a system containing one or more "near-unstable" poles. Figure 2. Complex plane containing three to contain only one unstable pole behavior that stresses the types of poles: stable, unstable, and near- unstable. in order for the entire system to importance of long-tterm vision as behave unsatisfactorily! well as short-term objectives, in addition to emphasising the Accordingly, a valid question could interest of the community that then be asked: Is it possible to should go hand-in-hand with the identify near-unstable poles in our personal interest. Moreover, community and, if so, what could students are consistently advised possibly be done about them?! against running unrealistic risks term penalty – materialized by a that could endanger individuals as long waiting period), and a high In Control Systems Theory, there well as the community. Overshoot (i.e. short-term risk – are a number of schemes used to taken upon driving in the wrong control the behavioral modes of Among the tools used to stress direction!). near-unstable poles, including these messages are professional techniques such as “Lead-Lag codes of ethics. In this context, The Although not unstable, this mode Compensation”, “Pole Placement”, Code of Ethics of the Institute of of behavior is very close to the etc... As the name might suggest, Electrical and Electronics Engineers boundary of system instability the overall strategy of the latter (see enclosure), addresses several (which is evidently an scheme often consists of replacing pertinent points: unsatisfactory system behavior.) It the near-unstable poles by more is mostly due to the presence, in stable poles located far from the The care for the community is the system, of special entities Stability Boundary in the Complex clearly suggested in the preamble (called “poles”) located very close Plane. of the Code, as well as in the first, to the Stability Boundary, i.e. seventh, eighth and ninth tenets, Imaginary Axis - in the so-called By comparison, it is clear that our where it is explicitly stated that Complex Plane! (see Figure 2) community needs a significant engineers are serving the amount of “pole placement”, and community, and as such, they are The striking similarity of the who better than educators are well required to act responsibly towards behavioral modes of near-unstable positioned to implement the pole others, to avoid injuring them and poles in the Complex Plane and placement control strategy in the to treat them with fairness. Queue Jumpers (in our increasingly community? complex life) makes you wonder The long-tterm vision of the whether Queue Jumpers actually At this University, the Faculty of professional engineer is also operate near the limits of stability Engineering is doing its best to highlighted in the first, second, fifth and/or the limits of imagination?! provide its students, not only with and sixth tenets of the Code where the technical and engineering engineers are asked to accept In this regard, it helps one to knowledge they certainly need in (long-term) responsibility for their realize that, in Control Systems today’s competitive world, but also decisions, to avoid conflicts of Theory, it is enough for the system with a professional mode of interest and to have a futuristic

74 75 attitude by improving their understanding of technology and its potential consequences.

risk management Additionally, is The Code of Ethics also underscored in the first, of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers* second, third, sixth and seventh We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of tenets of the Code, where our technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, engineers are warned against and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its endangering the public, and asked members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit to be realistic and correct their ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and agree: errors if they do occur. 1. to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions Needless to say, codes of ethics consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to are certainly ineffective in the disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the honesty absence of (see third tenet environment; of the Code), which is closely 2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, connected to truth – scientists’ (and and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist; engineers’) most wanted target. 3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on It follows that if we’re honest about available data; transforming Lebanon into a true 4. to reject bribery in all its forms; developing country, we need to 5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate pole-place its “near-unstable application, and potential consequences; poles”, even before they join the 6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to workforce. In this fashion, we undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by could perhaps hope to build a training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent satisfactory and safe future for our limitations; community, away from the near- instability that has haunted us for a 7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to long time! acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; Meanwhile, until most professions 8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, implement a code of ethics of their religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin; own, let’s see if our re-emerging 9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or Lebanon can first implement and employment by false or malicious action; then enforce a decent traffic code 10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional on our roads, sparing us the development and to support them in following this code of morning headaches induced by ethics. chronic Queue Jumpers crossing us * http:www.ieee.org over on our way to work! FE

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE CENTURY Jacques Harb, DCE Chairperson

On the 26th of December 2004, building code that needs urgently to be implemented, the contribution of an earthquake of Magnitude 9 on civil engineers in collaboration with insurance companies and control the Richter scale shook the world. offices is the only remedy to reduce the impact of future disaster, loss of The Sumatra Great Earthquake life and property damage. The table below illustrates some historical was followed by a giant tsunami events that have occurred on the eastern section of the Mediterranean. wiping out cities and villages from the surface. Major structures The recurrence of Tsunami waves along the coastal line is striking. collapsed, desolation spread, and homeless survivors waiting for the Table 1 Selected seismic events that affected the Eastern Section of the relief aids from the international Mediterranean community have been pictured on DATE LOCATION MAGNITUDE (M)/ COMMENTS every TV channel. INTENSITY (I) ?1350 BC Coastal Lebanon I 10 Destruction at Byblos and Ugarit? Possibly related The civil engineering profession is to the eruption of Santorini although this may be facing major challenges. Are we much earlier (c 1628 BC). Tsunami prepared to face similar events? 525 BC Coastal Lebanon I 10 Tyre destroyed (Tidal Waves) Do we have the ambition to resist 140 BC Coastal Lebanon I 8 Tsunami at Tyre forces of nature or live with them? 306 AD Coastal Lebanon I 9 Tsunami Can Civil Engineers design strong rigid structures to resist Mother 349 AD Coastal Lebanon I 10 Most of Beirut destroyed Nature or flexible structures to Aug.502 Coastal Lebanon I 9 Destruction from Tyre to Aleppo accommodate the movement? Can 6 July 551 Coastal Lebanon I 11 Total destruction of Beirut, massive damage from we conceive wave-breaker Tripoli to Tyre. Tsunami. Coastline altered. Part of structures or an early warning Ras Chekka falls into sea. Probably the largest system to protect our coastal cities recorded earthquake in Lebanon’s history. from giant waves? May 1063 Coastal Lebanon I 9 Arqa in North Lebanon is destroyed and abandoned. Aug. 1157 Bekaa Valley I 8 Damascus destroyed. The after-shocks are always time for meditation. The Sumatra event, Summer 1170 Bekaa Valley I 9 Destruction of Tripoli. similar to the many earthquakes June-July 1201 Levant Region I 10 Widespread earthquakes from Cyprus to Syria. on the eastern section of the Tsunami. Mediterranean, raises the same 20 May 1202 Bekaa Valley I 10 Destruction at Tripoli. Homs and Baalbek. question: Are we prepared? Did Dec-Jan 1403-4 Levant Region I 5 Repeated tsunamis. these populations living on a 21 July 1752 Levant Region I 7 Tsunami. dynamic earth adapt their way of 30 Oct. 1759 South Bekaa M 6.6* Destruction at Safad and Qneitra. 2000 dead living to the local environment? The urban expansion of our 25 Nov. 1759 Bekaa Valley M 7.5* Beirut and Damascus destroyed- More than Lebanese coastal cities 40,000 dead. 3 columns fall at Baalbek encroaching the near hills is the 12 Oct. 1856 Levant Region I 6 Tsunami. answer. The local population has 29 Sept. 1918 Coastal Lebanon M 6.5 Occurred offshore; felt from Beirut to Zahle ignored all kind of geological 16-May-56 Lebanon M 6 Epicenter 50 km south of Beirut. 136 dead, 6000 hazards, such as slope stability, houses destroyed, 17,000 need repairing. Panic in tsunamis, and liquefaction of sand. Beirut. Political crisis, In the absence of a strict seismic Source: PLASSARD, J. et B. KOGOJ, 1981 - “Séismicité du Liban”, Catalogue des séismes ressentis, Collection des Annales – Mémoires de l’Observatoire de Ksara, Tome IV (Séismologie).

76 77 The September 11 terrorist attack The Department of Civil The professional Society of Civil on the WTC in New York is Engineering is now operational Engineers (SCE), which gathers in another landmark for the Civil with a modernized curriculum the student body, is active to Engineering profession. Existing implemented during the academic complement classroom teaching sensitive structures, vulnerable to year 2003-2004, which is by professional activities such as vibration, blasting and terrorist compatible with the ABET field trips, guest speakers, attacks are now a center of (Accreditation Board for laboratory projects and community attention for retrofitting. Engineering and Technology). The services. The Department is also Department is ready for the actively participating in the Our dynamic environment is accreditation process to initiate. activities of the Water, Energy and dictating a more challenging Environmental Engineering courses Environment Research Center conception of our structures. Our prepare students to embrace throughout the sequence of understanding of dynamics environmentally friendly civil conferences and projects. remains limited. The dynamic engineering projects. Students now behavior of civil engineering are being introduced to three new It is finally a dynamic universe and material used in structures is laboratory courses: Environmental we recall some of the Bible words: attracting researchers’ focus. Engineering, Hydraulics, and Pavement Design. But the Lord was not in the wind: The Department of Civil And after the wind an earthquake; Engineering now faces these The Department of Civil But the Lord was not in the challenges and struggles toward Engineering has been interacting earthquake: And after the preparing future professionals with the local construction industry earthquake a fire: capable of conceiving flexible through the development and But the Lord was not in the fire: structures that can adapt to their implementation of Laboratory And after the fire a still small local dynamic environment. We Commercial Testing for quality voice. live on a moving ground and the control of concrete, steel, soil and dynamic earth requires a better asphalt material since the Fall I Kings ch. 19, v. 11 respect, knowledge and 2002. environmental understanding. FE

Performance evaluation of Landfill Covers in Lebanon Sophia Ghanimeh Civil Engineer, M.E, Notre Dame University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering

ABSTRACT efficiency of the clay cap drops appropriate waste management Thousands of tons of solid waste significantly. The reliance on measures need to be selected and produced daily in Lebanon are geomembranes to provide a implemented. being sent to dump sites and solution to the above problem has landfills. However, the major met some failure, due to the Despite the recent advances in landfill of Nehmeh is reaching vulnerability of geomembranes to waste management/treatment end-of-capacity and may have to puncture, tearing and degradation. technologies, landfilling remains be closed soon. One of the main the most frequently adopted concerns related to post-closure This paper evaluates the long-term solution. A landfill is an area performance of engineered performance of existing designated to receive solid waste. landfills is leachate generation. “conventional” landfill cap systems The refuse is buried between layers Leachate production is mainly due and introduces the concept of of soil and covered with a to water infiltration through the “alternative” earthen covers. protective cap, usually made of cover, in addition to the water impermeable clay and a plastic expelled from the waste itself. Keywords: Landfill, leachate, clay sheet – called geomembrane (ref. Given the fact that leachate is a barrier, hydraulic conductivity. Figure 1). An impermeable liner is major contaminant source, the also built at the bottom of the objective is to minimize the landfill to prohibit leachate leachate generated, and as such, 1. Background infiltration into the groundwater impervious barriers, typically Thousands of tons of solid (ref. Figure 2). compacted clay liners, are built to domestic waste are being minimize precipitation infiltration produced daily and the questions The popularity of landfills is due in into the waste. However, in dry related to best-practice solutions part to the fact that other disposal climates, such as Lebanon, clay are pressing issues, particularly in alternatives do not necessarily covers tend to desiccate and crack the Lebanon context. Since the end handle the entire waste stream despite all the required of operations at the sea dump sites and as such some landfilling is maintenance and monitoring. As a in Bourj-Hammoud and at the always necessary, or because they result of the cracking and Normandy, and with the looming generate by-products which are degradation of the cover, seepage end-of-capacity situation at the classified as wastes which require rates increase drastically and the Naameh landfill, proper and further treatment or disposal or,

78 79 most importantly, since landfilling agencies (i.e. US Environmental remains the most economical Protection Agency, EPA) emphasize option. waterproof barrier layers that separate the waste from the The modern-day landfills are surrounding environment [Hauser, engineered facilities with stringent Weand and Gill 2001]. The design and construction performance and acceptability requirements and specifications. criterion of these barriers is based Whereas the short-term on their saturated hydraulic performance of landfills and conductivity. In order to achieve a hydraulic conductivity. However, landfill liners during the operation low saturated permeability, a the performance of clayey soils as phase of the facility has been clayey soil must be compacted at a barriers is known to be affected by examined, the post-closure long- water content “wet of optimum” a number of parameters, including term performance of landfills is still (ref. Figure 3). However, in dry the water content at which they are subject to investigation and arid or semi-arid climates, such as compacted. Increasing the water improvements. Lebanon, the fine soil will content during compaction eventually dry, shrink, and crack, increases the compacted dry unit γ In a properly designed and allowing precipitation to percolate weight, d, until reaching the γ engineered landfill the solid waste through to the waste and maximum achievable d at is confined in cells. The most likely potentially contaminate the optimum moisture content, OMC mechanism for the transport of underlying soil and ground water. (ref. Figure 3). contaminants outside the landfill As a result, a cover design γ boundaries and liner is through applicable in “wet” climates Beyond the OMC, d decreases water infiltration. It is therefore (Britain for instance), is actually again. According to Lambe imperative that the influx of water unsuitable for arid to semi-arid [Lambe 1954], under a pre- into the waste itself be minimized. Lebanon. A different cover design determined compactive effort, the As such, the landfill final cover has philosophy and approach is soil at dry of OMC has a for primary task to keep water needed to suite the particular flocculated structure with relatively away from the waste. Evidently, a conditions typical of arid and large voids. At water contents wet proper and effective cover is semi-arid regions, so a one-size- of OMC, the soil possesses a critical to the long-term fits-all approach cannot be dispersed structure with voids performance of landfills and justified. smaller than for a flocculated soil should be the subject of focus and structure. Accordingly, the interest. hydraulic conductivity of clays 3. Hydraulic Conductivity of decreases with increasing water Clay Barriers content at the time of compaction. 2. Current Situation Clays or, more generally, clayey Current cover design criteria that soils are used in landfill liners and Indeed, the permeability of a silty- carry the approval of regulatory covers, given their typically low clay/clay compacted at wet of FE

Figure 1. The daily landfilling process (http://www.urbanservices.act.go v.au/index.html) Figure 2. Landfill diagram (http://www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kid sweb/landfill.htm) Figure 3. Variations in (a) dry density and (b) hydraulic conductivity with water content at compaction

12 > Minimize liquid migration. > Promote drainage while controlling erosion. > Minimize maintenance. > Have a permeability equal to or less than that of the natural subsoil. > Address freeze/thaw effects. > Accommodate settling and optimum may be up to 10 to 1000 performance standards for subsidence to ensure times less than the permeability of engineered covers for hazardous maintenance of cover’s integrity. the same soil compacted at dry of and solid waste landfills To meet the above criteria, EPA optimum [Istock 1989]. Therefore respectively. guidelines recommend that the if the soil is relatively dry during covers consist of 600mm minimum compaction, adequate hydraulic Subtitle D cover for non-hazardous low-permeability soil layer ≤ -7 conductivity ( 10 cm/sec EPA waste landfills should consist of (hydraulic conductivity ≤ 1x10- standard) is very difficult to achieve 450mm minimum clay barrier 7cm/sec) overlaid with 300mm if not totally unachievable. At the having a hydraulic conductivity < drainage layer (hydraulic same time, if the soil is too wet, it -5 cm/s and less or equal to 1 x 10 conductivity ≥ 1x10-2cm/sec). In becomes soft and weak and the hydraulic conductivity of the addition, at least 600mm of top- therefore problematic for field base liner. The latter requirement soil layer should be provided compaction. is to avoid build-up of leachate [Daniel 1995]. within the landfill. The clay barrier Consequently, an adequate water should be protected by a 150mm content range and a minimum dry minimum erosion or vegetated soil 5. Field versus Laboratory unit weight are typically specified. layer. Gas collection and drainage Performance of Clay An adequate compaction effort is layers may also be necessary Barriers also selected to reduce voids, [Daniel 1995]. Laboratory tests on wet compacted break soil lumps, and remold clays may reveal very low clods into a homogenous mass. Subtitle C EPA’s cover should meet permeability indicating a nearly the requirements for closure of impervious soil. However, when a hazardous and mixed-waste compacted clay soil is exposed to landfills, as promulgated in 40CFR 4. USEPA “Conventional” atmospheric conditions, water Parts 264 and 265, subpart N. Covers evaporates, creating negative pore Based on the US Environmental Under these regulations, the water pressures. Negative pore Protection Agency, EPA, standards landfill cover should meet the water pressures tend to increase and specifications, Resource following performance standards: the effective stresses and induce Conservation and Recovery Act, [USDOE 2000] shrinkage in all directions. As a RCRA, subtitles C and D specify result, the soil layer cracks and

80 81 3

seepage rate increases cracking [Daniel 1995]. Based on 6. Proposed Alternatives dramatically. The higher the water empirical observations, 0.1 to 1.0 Alternative Landfill Cover Designs, content during compaction, the % strain correspond to 0.05 to 0.1 ALCD, rely on physical and stronger the effect of pore water maximum differential settlement- hydraulic properties of the soil and pressure on effective stress during to-length ratio Δ/L. Daniel pointed characteristics of the top vegetation drying. Consequently shrinkage out that many, if not all, covers for to lower the water infiltration strains, and therefore desiccation municipal solid waste landfills through the cover. These designs cracks, increase with compaction undergo comparable distortions. tend to optimize soil water storage, water content [Istock 1989]. For instance, the hydraulic evaporation, and transpiration in conductivity of kaolinite may drop an attempt to minimize According to Daniel [Daniel 1995], from 10-7 cm/s in undistorted percolation. Alternative soil neither a 150mm-thick nor a conditions to 10-3 cm/s at 0.5% barriers can be constructed with a 450mm-thick topsoil layer was strain [Choo and Yanful, 2000]. moisture content that makes able to protect clay barriers from placement and compaction easier, desiccation and cracking in a Field measurements and studies on less expansive, and less susceptible relatively arid area of California. existing landfills revealed that to eventual cracking. According to the results presented many covers are not achieving the by Daniel, the only possible way to intended performance in arid and Studies are now in progress at avoid cracking of the soil barriers semi-arid areas [Benson, Daniel many sites in the US such as El tested was by covering them with and Boutwell (1999), Dwyer Paso, Texas, Albuquerque, New both a geomembrane and a layer (2001), Allen (2001), Khire, Mexico, and Richland, Washington of cover soil. Benson and Bosscher (1997)]. In [Othman, Bonaparte, Gross, and some places, percolation, i.e. Schertman 1995]. A number of Distortion due to differential “cover penetration”, reached up to alternative covers showed promise settlement is another problem that 60% of precipitation. [Khire, and will constitute the starting arises in field performance of Benson and Bosscher (2000)]. point for researches. compacted clay liners/covers. The Consequently new alternatives tensile strength of clay liners is too need to be investigated. low to withstand tensile strains greater than 0.1 to 1.0 % without FE

Alternative Landfill Cover Demonstration”, SCFA-Midyear Review. http://www.envnet.org/scfa/imagelib/tms 10.htm; Internet – Dwyer S.F. (2003) “Water Balance Measurement and Computer Simulations of Landfill Covers”, PhD dissertation, the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 7. Conclusions and 8. Bibliography New Mexico, May 2003. Suggestions – Albrecht, B. and Benson, C. (2001) – Foose G., Benson C. and Edil T. (2001) “Effect of Desiccation on Compacted “Predicting Leakage through Composite The RCRA “Subtitle D” cover is Natural Clays.” Journal of Geotechnical Landfill Liners”, Journal of Geotechnical susceptible to desiccation cracking and Geoenvironmental Engineering-ASCE and Geoenvironmental Engineering- (January 2001): 67-75. ASCE, June 2001, pp. 510-520. and animal burrows, which may – Allen J. (2001) “The Alternative Cover – Hauser V.L., Weand B.L. and Gill M.D. create preferential flow paths and Assessment project: In Search of a Better (2001) “Natural Covers for Landfills and Way to Take Out the Trash”, Buried Waste”, Journal of Environmental jeopardize the long-term http://www.dri.edu/General/Newsletter/2 Engineering-ASCE, V.127, No.9, pp.768- performance of the cover. If a 001/summer/acap .html; Internet 775. – Benson C.H. and Khire M.V. (1995) – Istok J. (1989) “Groundwater Modeling geomembrane is to be added, “Earthen Covers for Semi-Arid and Arid by the Finite Element Method”, The construction errors and punctures, Climates” Landfill Closures-Environmental American Geophysical Union, USA. in addition to large differential Protection and Land Recovery – Khire M.V, Benson C.H., and Bosscher Geotechnical Special Publication No. 53, P.J. (1997) “Water Balance Modeling of movements as the waste mass ASCE-GSP, pp.210–217. Earthen Final Covers”, Journal of settles, may create tears and leaks – Benson C.H., Daniel D.E and Boutwell Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental G.P. (1999) “Field Performance of Engineering-ASCE, V.124, No.8, [Foose, Benson and Edil (2001)], Compacted Clay Liners”, Journal of pp.744–754. and thereby defeat the purpose of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental – Khire M.V., Benson C.H. and Bosscher Engineering-ASCE, V126 No.5, P.J. (2000) “Capillary Barriers: Design using a geomembrane. pp.390–403. Variables and Water Balance”, Journal of – Choo L-P and Yanful E.K. (2000) Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental “Water Flow Through Cover Soils Using Engineering-ASCE, V.127, No.8, The need to explore alternative Modeling and Experimental Methods”, pp.695–707. earthen landfill covers for semi- Journal of Geotechnical and – Lambe, T.W. (1954) “The permeability of arid and arid regions is clear and Geoenvironmental Engineering-ASCE, Fine Grained Soils”, American Society of V.127, No.4, pp.324–334. Testing and Materials, Conference, solutions which depend on – Daniel D.E (1995) “Soil Barrier Layers Chicago June 1954. innovative and adaptable systems Versus Geosynthetic Barriers in Landfill – Othman M.A., Bonaparte R., Gross Cover Systems”, Landfill Closures- B.A. and Schmertmann G.R. (1995) should be considered. Environmental Protection and Land “Design of MSW Landfill Final Cover Recovery Geotechnical Special Publication Systems”, Landfill Closures-Environmental No. 53, ASCE-GSP, pp.1–18. Protection and Land Recovery – Dwyer S.F. (1999) “Conventional versus Geotechnical Special Publication No. 53, Alternative Landfill Cover Designs: Which ASCE-GSP, pp.218–257. is best for arid climate?”, Landfill Covers – USDOE (2000) “Innovative Technology: Workshop, US Department of Energy, Alternative Landfill Cover”,U.S. Tennessee. Department of Energy, Office of http://www.oakridge.doe.gov/em/stcg/cov Environmental Management, Office of ers.htm; Internet Science and Technology, DOE/EM-0558. – Dwyer S.F. (2001) “Project Summary:

82 83 FAAD

‘Meeting the Challenge’ Dr. Assaad Eid, Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Art & Design, NDU – Louaize

It was in 1995 that the decision to be increasingly attractive to what is required for the was made to integrate the three students. A most recent survey development of a Faculty of disciplines; Architecture, Art and detects that FAAD has built up a Architecture, Art and Design in the Design, into one faculty. This was reputation; 90% of its graduates twenty-first century? NDU is in line with a philosophy which have gained employment, locally already well on the way to had as its premises the following: and abroad, in areas related to delivering an international the subjects they studied. The education. We, at the FAAD, have 1. Architecture, Art and Design survey also highlights that this set the foundations for an ever- have common denominators: reputation may be attributed to growing institute that provides for shape, balance, color, texture, those who led the Faculty through an international, professional, rhythm, human factors, its first phase of development, and vocational career and education. technology, methodology, etc. those dedicated faculty and staff Most of our faculty members have 2. Architecture, Art and Design members whose continued efforts studied in Britain, U.S.A and other have common driving forces: and high commitment have European countries, and they are inspiration, research, enabled FAAD to achieve its always in contact with these communication, motivation, educational goals. institutes and other well- emotion, function, creativity, etc. established design centers of the Six years after, FAAD gained the Today, the challenge is far more world. power to stand as an independent paramount. The idea of ‘global constituent of NDU. Today, the education’ for a ‘global world’ is Our curricula have regularly been Faculty awards a variety of here and now. For us, the modern revised and updated. This degrees along with a range of world is one where the East meets continuing development of our courses at both the undergraduate the West; and where Architecture, programs has been guided by our and graduate levels. There is no Art and Design have become desire to provide quality-learning doubt that the Faculty has proved common world languages. So, experiences which are relevant to FAAD

1 2

current and future employment demands. To that end, we have also been able to capitalize on 3 and develop our facilities to help stimulate industrial practices. Our 1. Dr. Assaad Eid 2. Meeting the Challenge aim has been, and will always be, 3. Students at work to become a leading institute in partnership with industry.

On another front, we firmly believe that students of Architecture, Art and Design need to explore the research. The Faculty’s research relationship between their activities are becoming more and Finally, the past couple of years disciplines and technology. The more important, especially where have witnessed a massive ultimate goal will always be to both design and industry are expansion of higher education in help students meet the challenges concerned. Next year, the Faculty Lebanon. Is this a challenge? The posed by the untamed advance of will host more visiting lecturers, challenge for our Faculty is to technology, and accordingly bring guest speakers and practitioners, remain one based on merit alone; about a fusion of learning between and will also hold a number of not a question of quantity but of ‘creativity’ and the findings of conferences, seminars and quality. FAAD had a distinguished technology. workshops so as students and past, and today it offers an exciting faculty members engage in debate challenge to all who are connected There remains the most essential over a variety of issues and with it. We have a battle on our and effective element of concerns pertaining to the areas of hands, and we are going to win it. development and growth – architecture, art and design. Make no mistake about it.

84 85 London Visit Dr. Assaad Eid

During my visit to London, I had the opportunity to visit two Visit to London. British Universities, and to interview several teaching candidates. The overall outcome of this visit may be outlined as follows:

Sunday January 23, 2005: Middlesex finishes reviewing its MA Upon arrival I met Mr. Stuart and PhD programs. She also Brown, a professional designer made it clear that another and photographer, who was institutional visit is required if such for part-time engagement starting employed at different intervals by a plan is to be put in practice. Fall 2005: NDU a couple of years ago. Mr. Brown expressed his willingness to As for items (2.) and (3.), Prof. – Prof. Martin Pitts, resume his association with NDU Parker promised to consider and – Dr. Kate Dineen, whenever we deem necessary. support any endeavor or request – Ms. Chloe Cheese, submitted by NDU. – Prof. Carlos Sapotchnik – & Mr. Stuart Brown. Monday January 24 and Wednesday January 26, 2005: Other teaching faculty from both Tuesday January 25, 2005: A long meeting at De Montfort Middlesex University and De I held two long meetings with Prof. University in Leicester was held Montfort University will be Gabrielle Parker, Pro-Vice between Prof. H. Abdallah, Head considered when we deem Chancellor and Dean of the of the School of Architecture, Art necessary. School of Arts at Middlesex and Design, Prof. Taki and myself. University. Ways of cooperation were On another front, I had the discussed at length. We agreed to opportunity to visit “Pulse House”, The discussions during those start working on two fronts: a professional design firm run meetings focused on the following jointly by a British and a Lebanese. areas of concern: 1. Joint research programs An agreement was set up to help 2. Teaching and learning NDU students with their training 1. Possibility of re-establishing joint exchanges. programs any time they happen to collaboration study programs. It was agreed that Prof. Taki of be in London. The agreement also 2. Collaboration on the research DMU and Architecture Department considered financial assistance in front. at NDU start exchanging ideas on return for services rendered by 3. Teaching and learning research areas of common those students. exchanges. interest. It was also decided to start As for item (1.), Dr. Parker faculty exchange upon studying In conclusion, I firmly believe that expressed mixed feelings about thoroughly the course contents at the visit has set the proper this issue, simply because NDU both Universities. foundation for establishing failed to comply with the terms set cooperative links between NDU in Memorandum of Cooperation and two British Universities. It has i.e. “validated M.A program” that Thursday January 27, and also provided me with the was signed in 1999. Friday January 28, 2005: opportunity to recruit faculty I spent those two days interviewing members to better serve our She is, however, willing to consider teaching applicants. The following students at both the undergraduate reactivating this link once candidates will be recommended and the graduate levels. FAAD

Visit to Qatar 1. Dr. Assaad Eid and Mr. Robert Haddad with academics at the Qatar Ritz Hotel. January 20 – 25, 2005 2. Mr. Robert Haddad and Dr. Assaad Eid with Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sulaity, Dr. Assaad Eid Committee Chair of Tasmeem Doha 2005, Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Housing.

1

I was invited to participate in the Tasmeem Doha Conference, students exchanges, especially for scheduled from February 20 to 24 fashion and graphics. in Qatar. Although VCU is somewhat Beside my participating in the restricted by its contract with Qatar conference, the occasion made it authorities, both, Toscan and possible for me to explore ideas Lindholm, believe that there are 2 on how to collaborate with Virginia areas where we might collaborate Commonwealth University (VCU). especially in the areas of Accordingly, a series of meetings “exchange”. In the area of research, were held with Richard Toscan, Dr. Geldart agrees to actively Vice Provost for International Consequently, the first step for engage in joint research activities Affairs (VCU), Christina Lindholm, both of us shall be to look at the once we finish mapping areas of Dean of the School of the Arts, detailed curricula with course common interest. and John Geldart, Design Center descriptions so as to signal out Coordinator at VCU, Qatar. common areas and then figure out Finally, in an attempt to put things future activities. in practice, Dean Lindholm The discussions with Prof. R. expressed the wish to visit NDU for Toscan and Dean Lindholm As for students and faculty further discussion and clarification. covered areas of common exchange, this, they believe, may A tentative date was set for June interests, i.e. program, faculty and work out on a one to one basis. 2005.

86 87 Four Elements of Santorini Workshop: Earth – Wind – Fire – Water Oia 2005

Architecture & Environment Workshop, Santorini, Greece 17- 24 May 2005 The four elements: Earth – Wind – Fire – Water workshop was held at Oia, Santorini and was organized in collaboration with the Environment & Energy Program of Architectural Association Graduate School (Simos Yannas), Lebanon Notre Dame University Faculty of Architecture Art & Design (Habib Melki), and the School of Architecture of National Technical University of Athens (Thanos N. Stasinopoulos).

The Workshop was attended by over 40 students and teaching staff from the three institutions. The participating group, from Notre Dame University, Louaize was as follows:

Students: Nadine Ayoub 20002101 Chadi Bteich 960114 Joelle Dahdah 20001661 The purpose of the short but Roland Darrous 20021512 intensive seminar was: Anthony Keyrouz 20011281 Imad Kfoury 20012576 a. to introduce students into the Ahmad Sabra 983122 interaction of natural forces and Antoine Wakim 20013218 human settlements that has created sustainable communities for centuries and Instructors: b. to get involved in an applied André BECHARA project in order to understand Jean-Pierre EL ASMAR actual problems and search for Nicolas GABRIEL applicable solutions. Habib MELKI FAAD

Project Summary: • Introduction to Location: Students and faculty members attended a guided tour on the historical sites and important landmarks of the Location. An academic brief on Santorini was distributed to all participants. The brief concentrated on basic information related to the geography, history, culture, climate, and most importantly the major features of the architecture and urban fabric of Santorini. • General Thematic of the Workshop: The guided tour and the brief were meant to enable the students to deal with the general thematic of the workshop that was “The appropriateness of Architectural Choices with respect to the socio-economic, environmental, and geographic context of the chosen site”. • Energy efficiency concerns from the Past: The ingenious adaptability of predecessors was imitated in terms of sustainable exploitations of natural resources in current times. • Jury and Team formation: The jury was composed of the faculty members of participating universities in addition to other invited jurors. Professors of the three participating universities distributed the students into 6 groups, each of which included members from the three universities as well as from the different levels of student status (ranging from sophomore to graduate levels). The main rationale behind this choice was two-fold; first, to ensure an academic exchange between students of different educational backgrounds, and second to provide the participants with a challenging yet unique academic experience. • Certificates & Awards: On Monday afternoon, May 23, the jury evaluated and decided on the best project and awarded three winning teams according to presentation, creativity and applicability. Certificates were distributed to all student participants.

88 89 The Project Signs of Mediterranean civilization abound in the city of Beirut. Over the centuries, it has known ups and downs like all turbulent societies. Constantly. Two parts of the city have now converged like continental plates. All the agonizing forces of the human stories that trigger changes on the Earth’s surface and on the city itself can be read along the fault, like a physical sign of the convergence of two similar but different realities.

The present is nothing more than a Jean-Pierre El Asmar phase between the past and the The design group below was short listed among six of 270 future that will form a layer of international entries to follow up on the second phase of the archaeological remains for the International Urban Design Ideas Competition on Martyrs’ Square centuries to come. launched in June 18th, 2004, by SOLIDERE jointly with Union International Architects (UIA) and the UNESCO. It is in this prospective that the intervention must be seen. The design group consisted of: Beirut is now enjoying a period of relative stability and can reflect on Team Leader: and invent solutions for its future. Jean-Pierre El Asmar, Architect, Senior Lecturer FAAD, NDU, (Lebanon) We also are aware and convinced that social justice and economic Coordinator Italian team: and environmental sustainability – Leonardo Checcaglini, Architect, independent researcher, Florence are essential conditions for future (Italy) development. – Giuseppe Rinaldi, Architect Urban Planner, Florence (Italy) – Antonio Cantatore, Architect, independent researcher, Florence (Italy) Our proposal is divided into three – Matteo Lauriola, Architect, Florence (Italy) main parts:

University of Florence, Department of Architecture (Italy): > The most southern part from – Alberto Baratelli, Architect, Professor, Department of Design where the city penetrates into – Chiara Di Carlo, student in Architecture the Beirut Central District (BCD), – Nicola Lombardi, student in Architecture introducing new and – Giovanni Rosi, student in Architecture unpredictable activities. – Gabriele Sestini, student in Architecture > Martyrs’ Square, providing an – Paola Somma, Urban Planner, Venice (Italy) opportunity to pause, reflect, meet, etc. > The northern part, extending towards the sea, and FAAD

intersecting with the east-west entrance (here too, new functions and new perspectives will be introduced).

Access from Damascus Road: This is the smoothest part of the proposal. The signs of the land fractures are becoming visible and the “Tell” area, with the Archaeological Museum in the northern part of recall the period which was the intervention area, and also with the Corniche shoreline towards the characterized by strong tensions. Institute of Eastern Mediterranean Civilization. The “Saifi 2” residential These signs, already crossed by complex and another similar one to the west will complete the mixed-use transversal directories of stitching, character of the area and will continue the rhythm of the urban fabric reach as far as the Square. outside the BCD reaching finally the Square. The lack of continuity in the From this point forward, water flows along the axis until it reaches the volume of the buildings in this meeting point and lays the foundations for a new common path. area serves as an introduction to the Square; here we find the entrances to the underground The Martyrs’ Square: parking underneath the Martyr’s Martyrs’ Square is a healing wound, whose sutures are giving it back to Square. the city. Here the point of convergence is rediscovered, as well as the points of contact. Bridges are spanned, roads are opened, and all the Public buildings communicating elements that will allow access are pursued. These will allow exchange, with the Avenue du Général crossing, and flow, from inside the BCD as well as between the BCD and Chéhab house socio-cultural the rest of the city. activities, and will receive those who enter the BCD. The Square becomes at once a symbol of the conflicts that traumatized the city and the big event of today’s reconstruction. A service centre will stand in the middle. Its main ring will be The space of the street, offering more possibilities of social interaction, is occupied by the urban and extra- gradually transforming. urban public transport systems terminal. From this point four bus The place of past conflicts is transformed into a place for future lines will lead in four different gatherings. It becomes a moment of rest (once parked, we move in a directions, thereby connecting the different way) in which the perception of instability and conflicts whole city. In addition small (geological and social) generates a landscape of relation. electric shuttle tourist buses will link the inside of Martyrs’ Square with

90 91 Various layers are participating in the definition of a place of exchange, where the public spaces appear to increase and multiply, taking advantage of the tectonic social movement. Streams of people are crossing each other while carrying out their different activities (walking, resting, selling, walkways. Their main front elevations become a skin, a layer that pops meditating, etc.); they interact like up before the building itself, working as a double skin facade for climatic drifting plates. protection, and going down to reach the underground of the fault’s fractures. A continuum of transparent tech-polarizing glass/steel screens, The earthquake that followed inclined due to the effects of the “earthquake”, are placed in reality to human events is the beginning of avoid solar rays during the warmest hours. These panels will enclose a a new human and physical micro-climatic space as a buffer between the interior spaces and the geography. The ground is uplifted exterior spaces of the building. This space is open at the bottom, as well and mineral plates are also raised, as near the roof. This is an equipped public access, containing elevators, gently bending and offering stairs, and linking walkways. These services sink underground, and pathways for walking, benches for connect the surface to the lower levels. sitting, connection ramps between the various levels of the fracture, Taking advantage of the natural movement of the air and the abundant and also spaces hosting, between use of vegetation, this buffer zone will guarantee climatic comfort close to the different stone layers, the buildings, above all near the shops at street level. exhibitions and refreshment facilities. The rebirth of small trees The monument of the Martyrs is placed at the northern side of the square, and fragrant shrubs between the positioned in the centre of gravity with respect to the new proposal. It is fractures offers pleasant shade. shown to its best advantage by being on a block that will also provide Water flows, disappears and access to the last phase of the archaeological path towards the “Tell” site. reappears with fluxes running on With this element our intention is to put a visual target, aiming at evoking the rocky surfaces with the aim of the size of the old square, and clearly marking the following part of the creating through its evaporation Grand Axis. the typical microclimate of an Arabian garden.

Towards the sea: On the surface, and on both sides Here begins a new archaeological area. of the square, the buildings open to the surrounding city, rarefied This is where most important transformations have taken place, and will shopping arcades, a few become the influential factor of the activities and functions which are cafeterias, restaurants and FAAD

essential to how the city sees its future.

From the Square and towards the sea the path crosses through distinct poles: glass towers and contemporary buildings towards the east, and buildings for archaeological research and the study of the Mediterranean culture towards the west. These buildings are all designed to respect edges, will be enclosed by this system; this will be enhanced from the preceding city stratifications. They privileged point of view towards the sea and the mountains of Lebanon, will be elevated from the ground to parts of the country’s constituting elements. allow them to be lived, following the approach adopted for the A green carpet protruding over the coastal line, is a final effect of the Garden of Forgiveness. action of the earthquake, and like the action of a wave uplifts the ground before it reaches rue de Trieste, and propels it into the waters invading The skyscrapers to the eastern side new spaces. The expansion now goes towards the sea. A ramp will reach and towards the sea trace the the Institute of Eastern Mediterranean Civilizations, connected to the intersection between the Axis and ground, but half of it is suspended over the water, offering the the entrance directory from the opportunity to look back at the city by showing it to the world. northern shore. This entrance will not only be the technological and “media” front for Beirut, but a The Park and the Tell Heritage crossroad and a place of The historical path is entirely articulated inside the BCD, suggesting a delineation, a target and a living promenade starting from the Roman Baths, passing through the Garden place, the focus of the entire of Forgiveness, to Martyr’s Square, reaching the “Tell” area. This path is a “Corniche” shoreline circuit and park that alternates typical urban episodes with archaeological themes will offer the possibility to organize and landscaped areas (green elements, levelled ground). This path, is not public events and exhibitions. This intended to follow any chronological continuity; starting from this phase will be secured by buildings for of planning the future, it rotates along the traces of past civilization, and ceremonies and shows, able to collects and integrates contemporary structures. The new architecture host important events as well as becomes archaeology. The moments of contemplation (Garden of important festivals (cinema, music, Forgiveness), of study of the past (Tell area - archaeological museum and etc.). the Museum of Mediterranean Navigation), of activities (Martyrs’ Square and its axis), and for future planning (Institute of Eastern Mediterranean The waterfront, which allows water Civilization), have a specific identity and architectural character, being all to invade the city modifying its part of one physically connected discourse.

92 93 CHADIRJI AWARD for Architecture Students in Lebanon 2004

SECOND PRIZE: Elie Hawi, N.D.U, FAAD, Architecture Department PROJECT: ARCHITEC-TAOIC; A CENTRE FOR TAOIST ARTS.

ARCHITEC-TAOIC is a word invented by E. Hawi to express the spirit of the project, which is an architecture shaped and moulded by Taoist concepts.

The project tackles the thought of Taoist philosophy, one of the oldest oriental philosophies, which affected the way of life, in all its details, of the Chinese population.

Founded by Lao-Tse (604-531 BC), Taoisim concerned the well- being of humans in a tendency to establish the equilibrium between nature and human beings.

Tao can be roughly translated into Centre of Taoist Arts resulted from English as path, or the way. the application of Taoist concepts Basically, it is not definable; it is in the design process, of which the rather experienced. It “refers to a most important are: Finally, the result of that power which envelops, surrounds development was a project where and flows through all things, living – The Yin Yang (symbolizing time E. Hawi negated the and even non-living; also it and change, interdependence, standardization in architecture by regulates natural processes and conciliation between introducing forms, shapes and nourishes balance in the contradictions.) materials in a way to re-question Universe.” – The Five Elements. (as the human perception while enhancing structure and cycle of nature) the semiotic effect of architecture Thus, the morphology of the – Wu Wei (Nothingness). showing Taoist principles. FAAD

THE GLOBE

Abstract It is known that civilization is what man leaves behind, for instance cooking and hunting tools; drawings and writings on stone or Global Message: animal skins or clothes; weapons; and farming instruments. All these A Landmark for human things provide a glimpse into the daily lives and customs of past achievements civilizations. Some of the most noticeable and interesting things Herbert Marshall Mc Luhan argued in his famous “The Medium is the are the buildings, homes, Message” (1967) that societies have been shaped more by the nature of monuments, temples, and other the medium by which people communicate than by the content of the structures that reflect the time in communication. Being a powerful communication medium, architecture, which they were built and in which in this respect, has been and will always be a conveyor of messages and they served their usefulness. For an embodiment of ideas. example, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Acropolis, Baalbek and many In this ever-growing globalized world, one would question the other monuments. paradoxical aspects of globalization especially if the ease of proliferation of values and ideologies is taken into account. The “One World” claim is Structures usually serve a function, faced with the increasing number of smaller nations, the annihilation of but they can also be symbols that some borders balanced by the drawing of others, and the identify a place or represent a democratization of knowledge concurrent with medieval wars and terror. cultural belief or value of a certain population. Such structures are Far from being morally critical, we intend to perceive globalization as the called landmarks that characterize bonding agent of human values and architecture as a major medium to a locality. convey and celebrate the great achievements of human kind. Architecture, through the proposed design, is thus endeavoring to express the spirit of Others serve as symbols or its time and to favor the emergence of a global feeling of belonging. landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty, The site of the proposed design is in the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda but these are not representatives of Island, a controversial location for a global-scale project. A site where the the present century population, remains of the wrecked ship of all “minor / lesser belongings” will and their cultural values. metamorphose into a floating monument. A monument for the new consciousness of the world community as a global village. The main theme of the project is to make a building, a monument that Floating on water, levitating above all roots, the proposed design will reflects the beliefs, the way of consider the use of cutting-edge technology and High-Tech materials such thinking, the latest technologies, as Magnetic Levitation, the Aero-Gel materials, the Nanno-Carbon tubes, and the identity of our world. The Crystal Glass, etc.

94 95 Many questions are to be answered for the justification of such a project:

– The Egyptian pyramids and other structures have withstood the test of time. What modern-day structures do we think will be around in the year 3000? – What did our technology lead us to that can be used in this landmark and represent our achievements? – How can contemporary architecture express “as it has always been” the spirit of its time? – And how can it then celebrate the human values that are Suspension of the Project relevant to Global culture? crystal glass that can be totally – How can we Architects help transparent and opaque at the emerge global belonging in same time. response to the endangering glass, hung by the use of nano- local fanaticism? A virtual show will take place carbon tubes, completely invisible, The proposed project is therefore inside the sphere, showing 1cm thick and able to 5400kg. perceived as a monument that everything in a hologram form, so celebrates mankind’s achievements we can watch and experience all This transparency will make us in their global dimension. the achievements done till today, experience a new kind of space, as and by that we can watch the if we were floating at 60m above evolution of Humanity and the way water level. Description of the project it affected our life. Formed by a tetrahedron with a If we can adapt a global 300m side, the sphere has a The elevator is about 15m in monument to different existing diameter of 100m, floating in the diameter, and is specially designed contexts, we would then help air all the time at 15m from water for the project, with no cables or spread a global understanding of level by the use of the magnetic rails, and it transports people from human values. field. the middle slab at water level to the center of the sphere. Rony Pierre Imad. The outer structure of the sphere is For contact and information made of a satellite skin, connected Address: Le Castor Building, 5th floor, New The Slab at the center of the Jdeideh, Lebanon. to the whole world, so everything is Mobile: +961 3 362303 sphere is made of transparent updated instantly and covered with Tel/Fax: +961 1 900200 Email: [email protected] FAAD

Professional Design Practice Lecture Series

As part of the learning process The third lecture was presented by infringements, intellectual property and the effort to simulate a true Mr. Ghassan Chawraba, a protection and the counterfeits professional environment, the graduate from the London College that every practicing designer will senior students of the Graphic of Printing and owner of face. Mr. Akl also stressed the Design program at FAAD heard a Calligraph Printing Press. Mr. importance of brand identity and series of lectures throughout the Chawraba covered the relationship integrity from a legal and design months of April and May. between the designer and the point of view. printer. He showed examples of The first lecture was presented by printing techniques, special effects The overall feedback of the Mr. Ramzi Choueiri, Managing and the proper preparation for students was extremely positive, as Director of Reem Trading, on April such tasks. The lecture then any academic program must have 25 in the FAAD Design Studio. It covered some typical problems its links and be rooted in the covered paper properties, use and and errors that designers face professional environment, to characteristics. Mr. Choueiri dealt when dealing with print houses to prepare the students adequately with the paper production process, maximize the quality of the output. for real life professional practice. the different varieties and types of paper and their appropriate use in Mr. Bassam Cordahi, accountant, printing. delivered the fourth lecture, Patchi Packaging Competition covering the fiscal system that the Mr. Jimmy Ghazal, a Design Dept. students will face as freelancers. As part of the Packaging Course of graduate, currently working with Mr. Cordahi presented an the Graphic Design program and Quantum and Saatchi & Saatchi as overview to the students on their the links with the industry that the well as freelancing, next spoke on duties and rights once they are in program is establishing, Ms. his professional experience and his business in relation to the Rebecca Kelendjian, Marketing transition period from a student to Lebanese government and its Manager of Patchi Industrial, a practicing designer. Mr. Ghazal Treasury Department. visited FAAD to officially brief the presented his portfolio and the senior students on the project corporate identity he created for Finally, Mr. Jean Akl, lawyer and requirements and the prices for the Aoun Supermarket. legal counsellor, dealt with issues Patchi Packaging Competition. related to copyright law, trademark

96 97 Layout Arabic Type Competition This inter-university event was followed by a visit to Patchi As part of the Advanced premises in Siblin. Typographic Design course of the Graphic Design program and the links with the industry that the The students were welcomed by GO GREEN Annual program is trying to establish, the the Marketing Manager and Competition (energy saving senior students have taken part in Corporate Identity Consultant and and rural tourism awareness an inter-university competition to then toured the production campaign) design a new Arabic typeface to be facilities, chocolate factory, printing sold in the market on a CD house, manual packaging section The Applied Typographic Design bearing the University name and and showroom. At the end of the junior students took part in a the students selected. visit, Mr. Choukair, CEO of Patchi, competition launched by delivered the prizes to the winning Schtroumpf / UNDP under the Go After a long process of design and students. Mr. Jean Mark Tarabay Green theme of creating preparation, the following students received the third prize, while Ms. awareness to save energy and have their type designed featured Sevan Kouyoumjian and Ms. Tania promote rural tourism in Lebanon. on the CD: Carla Khater, Hisham The outcome of this inter-university Ghneim, Samar Zablith, Marie- Boutros received two special prizes competition will be announced on Joelle Tayyah, Muriel Moukawem, for their remarkable combination July 2005 in a forum at the Sandra Amine, Charbel Karam, of colours and materials. All Schtroumpf premises in Jounieh. Henry Dahan, Hala Abi Aad, visitors received a surprise gift This is the third year in a row that Sevan Kouyoumjian and Lea prepared by Patchi. The board the Graphic Design students have Zahar. members expressed their intention participated in this event, with a to pursue collaboration with NDU success level on every occasion The prizes were to distributed at on future projects, as they were varying from first to third prize, the Layout premises in Beirut on very pleased with the outcome and depending on the category entered June 17, 2005 and the CD variety of the projects. and the theme of each year. launched in the market. FAAD

An Ethno- Musicological Expedition Lebanese Folklore in Danger!

Ahmed Karkanawi Musicology student

Profile Intermedia 7 Conference, Bremen, Germany On Saturday, 21st May, 2005, On December 3, 4, 5 2004, John Kortbaoui, Graziella Daghfal and students of the Musicology Diane Mikhael attended the yearly International Design Conference: Profile Intermedia 7, Bremen Germany. Department were launched on a scientific mission to gather and Profile Conference definition. study the folklore songs of the fishing community of Batroun, led — Profile Intermedia Conference accepts each year entries from all by the Reverend Professor Elias countries and has international recognition. Kesrouani, Chairman of the — The conference subjects concentrate on the following: Department. During our Design, Art, Music, Communication, Fashion, Film, Digital Media, expedition, we spent several hours Video, Photography, Architecture, Performance. meeting and talking with the — Speakers at this conference are professionals in their fields. Guest fishermen. speakers are invited to lecture and hold workshop sessions, which are organized in parallel to the conference presentations. They talked about their concerns, In the very fast film workshop competition, we presented a 5-minute fast their worries, their sufferings, the film as a result of a three-day workshop on shooting and editing the indifference of the government, the theme ‘Love Story’. pollution of the sea, and the general bad situation they are Many films were presented (around 12 films) and submitted for the suffering from. With the social competition. bitterness leading to an extremely individualized society, the Out of the films presented, three were nominated by a jury of seven assessors in the field of digital media and films. The nominees were continued neglect on the part of classified to win the first, second and third prize. We, Diane, Graziella the government, and the lack of and John, won the second prize Silver Award. any institutions taking care of the folklore, the musical traditions are We would like to mention that our participation has presented Notre struggling to survive and a Dame University, Lebanon to an international audience of 1000 priceless human legacy is in participants from all over Europe, America and the Middle East. serious danger of extinction.

98 99 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE & METHODS of its PRESERVATION Enclosure/Disclosure: Habib Melki Preserving the Relationship between the Built Senior Lecturer – Architect Environment and its NDU – Lebanon Microclimate “The starting point of the future is the ending point of the past.” Tombazis, A. N., PLEA 2004 Abstract Enclosure The evolution of Lebanese Enclosure according to Webster is architecture shows an evident defined as “the act or action of deterioration of the relationship enclosing: the quality or state of between the built environment and being enclosed.” I would like to the existing microclimate. Man’s 1 translate it and think of it as “the drive for comfort has always been, isolation and deterioration of the and will continue to be, an The advantages of energy relationship between man and his ultimate aim in his daily life. This conservation in buildings are environment.” factor was responsible for financial, social and physical. gradually switching from the However, due to the lack of public The Industrial Revolution has traditional architecture to a variety awareness on how traditional affected human life in different of modern forms. While achieving architectural values and contributes aspects and levels, especially this needed comfort, man slowly to contemporary energy saving, human thinking. Through time, became dependent on new this study aims at showing: simple and raw natural materials technologies for lighting, heating, in their pure natural state slowly cooling, all relying on fossil fuel or 1. The deterioration of the gave way to synthetic and man- other polluting sources. relationship between the made products. Man enclosed and microclimate and the built isolated himself, using technology Traditional Lebanese architecture is environment from the Lebanese as the means to provide comfort a valuable reference for practical “traditional” application to and security. He drifted into the application and live examples in contemporary architecture. magical world of the “new” and conservation and environmental 2. How comfort, in all its forms, ignored the natural environment, awareness. But is this only plays an important role in not realizing the consequences to historical heritage or could it also shaping human behavior and follow. His “enclosure” and be applied to contemporary society. isolation from what is around him, architecture? How strong is the 3. How comfort can be resulted in shaping societies that relationship between Preservation maintained, economically and adapt and adjust with the change and Energy Conservation? Is there physically, when achieved of time. Dependencies shifted from a possibility of achieving comfort through the preservation of the the use of renewable natural using the traditional ways? relationship with the resources to machines relying on surrounding microclimate. fossil fuel. This issue tremendously FAAD

Fig.1 Planet Earth, National Geographic Fig.2 North Pole, National Geographic, Sept. 2004 Fig. 3 Integrated Structure. Kassatly, H. p. 38 2 3 Fig. 4 No High Ground Male, the island capital of the Maldives, is threatened by the serenely blue Indian Ocean. If scientists' projections come true and sea level 4 rises more than three feet, the Maldives and other low-lying atoll nations could be under 5 water by century's end. National Geographic. September 2004. Fig. 5 Corpus Levant, 2004 Fig. 6 Vernacular Structure. Kassatly, H. p. 74 6

affected the building industry in the Almost two watts per square meter Reconciliation and unification very concept of design and is the rate at which these human- between man and environment architectural approaches. The made gases are heating the would be the term I’d prefer to modern trend in architecture earth’s surface, as if two miniature use. shaped by the industrial revolution Christmas tree bulbs (one bulb broke the continuity of the old dissipates about one watt in the Throughout history, man has concepts. Technology for form of heat) were placed over learned from his surrounding generating heat and light from every square meter of the earth’s environment, passing to future fossil-fueled machinery has surface, burning night and day. generations successful solutions to fundamentally reorganized the way problems. By trial and error he buildings are designed. Sun, wind, “At present, our most accurate eliminated impractical applications and light have traditionally been knowledge about climate sensitivity and kept the ones that worked. As the fundamental sources of form, is based on data from the earth’s Hassan Fathi states: order, and organization in the history, and this evidence reveals generation of buildings. The ability that small forces, maintained long “Successful solutions were passed on to produce heating, cooling and enough, can cause large climate in form of traditions, rigid, and lighting by mechanical means has change. apparently arbitrary rules for changed the way today’s buildings selecting sites, orienting the building are designed. One consequence is “The stability of the great ice sheets and choosing the materials, building that buildings are now responsible on Greenland and Antarctica and methods and design. In this sense for about half of all the fuels the need to preserve global both the material and the way it is burned worldwide. Half the coastlines set a low limit on the used is very important.” electricity generated in this country global warming that will constitute is used just to light our buildings. ‘dangerous anthropogenic Microclimate concepts ensured old Burning fossil fuel to heat, cool, interference’ with climate. buildings fitted into their and light our poorly adapted surrounding. Being in harmony buildings adds a concentration of “Halting global warming requires with the environment, Lebanese CO² emission into the atmosphere urgent, unprecedented international vernacular structures were – global warming. Over the next cooperation, but the needed actions integrated within the natural 100 years an estimate of the are feasible and have additional setting, without causing major degree of warming is from 1.5°C benefits for human health, changes to the site. Excavation was to 4°C; it being borne in mind the agriculture and the environment.” minimal and, depending on the life span of buildings is 50-150 (Hansen, J. 2004. p.42). topography of the land, the years, it is clear that many structure was implanted (see figure buildings designed today will need 3). Climate was also a factor of to survive quite different Disclosure site consideration. Wind patterns temperature conditions in the Disclosure on the other hand is and the annual sun path played a future. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 21) defined by Webster as “exposure, significant role. Building location discovery and revelation”. was considered so that future

100 101 7 9 11

8 10 12

development on adjacent Responsibility Even though global resources are properties would not block access Where are we today and where diminishing at an accelerated rate, to winter sunlight. This location are we heading in the future? contemporary human civilization also allows open space for winter What demands and needs drive us continues to depend on activities or gardens to be exposed to develop as professionals, construction for its continued to as much winter sun as possible. educators and parents? Power, shelter and existence. 50% of all financial security, happiness or a resources consumed across the Thus it is essential to turn back and certain standard of living? How planet are used in construction, examine how our ancestors many of us can truly admit that the making it the least sustainable responded to problems of lighting, expectations of individual industry in the world and causing heating, ventilation and other responsibilities towards the “self” difficulties for our planet to support questions pertaining to are being fulfilled? How about it. Clearly, something has to architectural design. The Lebanese responsibilities towards family? change and architects as building vernacular architecture can serve Better yet how about towards designers have an important role as a valuable source for solutions country and finally the ultimate to play in that change. (Edwards, that are perfectly adapted to our responsibility towards the planet B. 2002, p. 1) climate today. The introduction of EARTH? new methods and materials to the traditional was not based on Responsibility sometimes doesn’t Energy Use and Global scientific experimentation, but for reach beyond one’s comfort and Warming economic and social benefits of financial needs. We tend to ignore Heating, lighting and cooling of using the modern and “new”. anything beyond these factors of buildings directly through the Another factor that played a key security. But what is security? Is it burning of fossil fuels (gas. coal. role in selecting the new material an economic state of mind as well oil), and indirectly through the use was the cost and the speed by as the continued need to exist? of electricity, is the primary source which it is applied. Continuity from where and for of CO² (carbon dioxide), the main what? Again it is inevitable trying greenhouse gas. CO² emissions We need to explore: what is so to avoid the past and future: have been increasing since the significant in the Lebanese industrial revolution and continue vernacular constructions prior to ”[It has] become apparent that to rise in spite of international 1890, which led them to be human life is not limited to a single awareness, mainly due to – uniquely generated by local life span but goes far beyond. It is as materials and climatic conditions? impossible to sever its contacts with 1. rise in human population Is it a mere link between our past the past as to prevent its contacts (currently six billion and and our future? Could they be a with the future. Something lives expected to reach ten billion by valuable source of inspiration that within us which forms part of the very 2050); offers answers to simple forgotten backbone of human dignity: I call 2. the legacy of older, inefficient questions? Much needs to be this the demand for continuity.” buildings (the existing building learned. (Giedion, S. l957, taken from: Madex D. ed., stock globally is replaced at a All About Old Buildings p. 30) rate of under 2% per year); and FAAD

14 15 16 17

Fig. 7. Site - A Green Vitruvius. p. 35 13 Fig. 8 East/West Orientation Fig. 9 North/South Orientation Fig. 10 & 11. Storing the heat and preventing the cold Fig. 12 The periodic heat flow through a light and heavy wall of the same U-value: - 10 mm polystyrene slab (U = 2.17 Wm²K) - 800 mm of dense concrete slab {also U = 2.17 Wm²K), 3. rise in consumer standards, with Szokolay., S., taken from (Roaf, S. 2003). Fig.13. Heat Transfer www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs17.htm the corresponding growth in air- Fig.14 Heat Gain & Loose www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs17.htm conditioning, electrical gadgets Fig. 15. Solar Path - A Green Vitruvius. p. 71 Fig. 16. Site Integration- A Green Vitruvius. p. 34 of various kinds and increasing Fig. 17. Reducing north winds amounts of travel. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 21) The use of intelligent technologies and the shift from non-renewal from solar, wind and Climate Change and Building resource exploitation to self- geothermal energy and, at a Design sustaining renewable practices is macro-scale, wave, hydro and While designing buildings, the the key to a symbiotic relationship tidal power are the main expected life span should be with the land. As one of the units sources of nonpolluting but not considered. With this in mind, of the city, the design of buildings, always sufficiently exploited. adjusting to climate change in moderated by life-cycle Potentially, renewable energy rules and regulations must be assessments, can play its part in could satisfy all of mankind’s dealt with. Rules should be flexible this. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 2) energy demands. The total to deal with such changes. Making energy of the sun far exceeds provisions for future inclusions There are three options available that required for human use. within the building must be to reduce CO² levels: The problems, however, are to considered, just as one must do with distribution, storage, consider upgrading of a newly 1. Nuclear energy, promoted conversion and application of purchased computer for at least 2 initially as a clean energy this solar energy into a form – 5 years before new hardware is source, has its own well- useful for heating buildings, discovered and the old become publicized environmental driving machinery and the obsolete. Maybe, when designing problems. countless other tasks which are new structures, new and shorter 2. Carbon conversion is a valuable now performed by burning life expectancies must be means of viewing the link fossil fuels. Renewable energy considered. However, the existing between development and the can be exploited for use in built environment should be dealt carrying capacity of the land buildings in a variety of ways. with as a starting point of a new which supports it in terms of (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 29) transitional period, a period that energy. The idea is based upon It is important to consider potential will continue to have historic the ability of trees and forests to renewable sources at an early buildings as a model example of convert CO² back into oxygen, design stage. Sites can be selected their specific time of climate which occurs via photosynthesis; on the basis of their access to responsive design while new however in practice it is not energy sources, in addition to developments deal with their feasible (every household needs other early design decision such as present time-frame. As stated two acres of woodland to orientation, building footprint and previously, buildings designed and location on the site and the engineered today will still be convert its CO²). (Edwards, B. method of exploitation at the standing when climate change 2002, p. 26) 3. Renewable energy generated briefing and sketch design stage. bites. By 2050, it is estimated that (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 29) global temperatures may have

102 103 Fig.18. Solar Path A Green Vitruvius Fig.19. Southern Exposure Fig.20. Window Byblos Fig.21 Natural Cooling & Window Cross Ventilation

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Vernacular builders have to make risen by 2°C and by 2100 perhaps sure that their structures are highly as much as 4°C. Once triggered, efficient. They can only use local the rise is exponential (see figure materials and construction 4). There will be pressure on techniques that make economic building systems, on the building 18 sense. The running cost of their fabric itself, on land settlement structures, especially energy patterns and on transportation. consumption, has to be low Apart from avoiding further because of the limited resources renovation of residential, building on flood plains, there are available. (Behling, S. 2000) commercial and industrial three principles to follow in structures will itself be a major designing buildings for climate One main issue of the present industry within a few years. The change: times is the focus on the built force behind this emerging environment. What pertains to the industry is the philosophical > the building shell and footprint present times of major concern is transition away from a throwaway is fundamental to long-term how to deal with what exists 99% society based on an illusion that survival, adaptability and rather than new construction. With resources are unlimited – toward a energy-efficiency the current world population new kind of civilization grounded > one must build to a higher increase, resource shortages or in permanence, balance and initial standard (better sink limits (the ability of natural order. Through historic insulation, higher quality systems to absorb pollution) are preservation’s leadership, it will be materials); and creating a greater stress on the made obvious to all that two vital > one must provide the means to world’s ecosystems. Society needs social goals – energy conservation upgrade building systems, to adopt a strategy which brings and historic preservation – are especially in the areas of improvement in living conditions self-reinforcing.” (Sawhill J., 1981. cooling and in the provision of without global disaster. Quality of p. 33) renewable energy. (Edwards, B. life can be maintained but only 2002, p. 27) through the adoption of the four Rs It is possible to build a house that - reduce, re-use, recycle and takes minimal amounts of energy Energy & Preservation recover. In the context of this study, to heat and cool, maximizes the 99% of houses currently being built only the re-use aspect will be use of daylight instead of artificial are obsolete, because they ignore addressed. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. light, and minimizes the energy climatic requirements. ”In the days 64) costs of manufacture of its of cheap energy, it might have components. As a general rule, made a kind of short-sighted Embodied energy is the energy copy the traditional architecture of economic sense to destroy old consumed by all the processes pre-technological people who have structures, but that era ended associated with the production of successfully lived in that kind of forever with the oil embargo of the building. Once a building or climate for a long time. (Rich, B.) 1973.... The preservation and city is created, it becomes a capital FAAD

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stronger than the bricks based primarily on scientifically themselves, thus preventing their valid concepts. The modern re-use. Since the embodied energy academic world of architecture of a brick would drive a car seven does not emphasize the value of miles, the consequences are investigating and applying enormous for the millions of bricks concepts scientifically and, created (and wasted) every year. therefore, has no respect for (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 67) vernacular architecture. Now is the time to bridge the gap between So the re-use philosophy requires these widely different approaches. 20 a change in how we design our Today more attention is being buildings and a corresponding given to the relationship between asset. Within its bricks and change in how we construct them. climate and architecture, and concrete lie resources and human Architects could create a major several building research investment which should be re- demand for re-used components organizations are beginning to used over generations and across simply by specifying them. This examine this relationship. (Fathy, changing building-use priorities. would not only generate a market H. 1986) This means that the building for re-used components but lead should be robust in form and to buildings of greater aesthetic construction, should be socially richness and social value. Climate and Vernacular valued and should be well located. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 67) Architecture Re-use of the whole or re-use of Throughout history, man has parts is preferable to demolition or learned from his surrounding recycling. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. Preserving the Microclimate environment, passing to future 65) A principal purpose of building is generations successful solutions to change the microclimate. Early to problems. By trial and error he Re-use requires the architect to men built houses to keep out the eliminated impractical applications address the design task that fits the elements, rain, wind, sun, and and kept the ones that worked. As period of rapid social and snow. Their purpose was to Hassan Fathi states: technological change. Obsolete produce an environment favorable buildings un-adjustable to new to their comfort and even to their “Successful solutions were passed technology are normally survival. The microclimate on each on in form of traditions, rigid, and demolished, adding to future building site is changed into apparently arbitrary rules for resource stress, disturbance, several different microclimates as selecting sites, orienting the pollution and waste. Re-use also the result of the construction of the building and choosing the entails the rescuing of elements of house itself. Inside the building, materials, building methods and construction (steel beams, timber, each room has its own design.” bricks, etc.) for use in other microclimate which is a buildings. Not many new buildings modification of one or more of the Man is agile by nature and has are designed or constructed to outdoor microclimates. Although survived by adapting to the encourage re-use. Cement mortars traditional architecture was evolved changes of his environment since (absence of lime) are often intuitively over long periods, it was the beginning of time. The new

104 105 23 24

22 Lebanon has witnessed the potential. Traditional energy disappearance and dissolution of sources, especially those that are its structural features since petroleum-based, have become development erupted. These too costly for industry. There is an details range through perfect urgency to find other energy adaptation to site, intelligent use of sources such as solar, hydraulic, local resources, energy efficient and wind power. Besides being structures and adaptation to the environmentally friendly, these are climate. These corrupted structures natural and readily available in challenge is to choose or adapt today still reflect the old vernacular Lebanon. There is ample evidence our technology to minimize our character and identity. The to support greater exploration of environment impact, whilst evolution of the Lebanese dwelling alternative energy sources. continuing to improve the comfort is directly linked to the and performance of the homes we environment itself; it is rooted to The Mediterranean climate zone is create. Historic buildings, in the soil and has a natural the closest to an ideal climate regards to architecture, were character that reveals its spirit. (Behling, S. 2000, p.57). Lebanon coherent to their surrounding (Liger-Belair, 2000). in general is fortunate to be microclimate. endowed with such a climate, which currently is not exploited Post-industrial architecture drifted Resources of Lebanon and its fully. In fact, at present in away from the harmonious Microclimate Lebanon, most modern concept between the built Lebanon is well enriched by its architectural designs tend to ignore environment and its microclimate, various natural resources of land, the environment. It is with minor ignoring and disregarding the sun, wind and water (four elements interventions that architects apply issues of dealing with the exterior of nature) which served as a strategies of passive energy and interior simultaneously. stepping stone and foundation for concepts within their design. Relying more and more on new all the existing historic structures technologies has increased the before the industrial revolution. Passive and Low Energy gap by creating an isolation Architecture has not reached a barrier between man and his Lebanon is a country with the mature stage in Lebanon in spite microclimate. Heating and cooling adequate features to pursue of the currently ongoing efforts technology has freed us from this energy conservation in undertaken by the private and the as a necessity. Studying climates of architecture. Geographical public sectors. Human and natural the past will tell us how we should location, climatic conditions and resources, in addition to the rich deal with it in the future. soil types all exist within the cultural heritage in Lebanon, Microclimates can be modified to environmental framework. provide strong potentials for enhance human comfort levels, Lebanon, known for having “300 implementing climatic responsive thereby using less energy. sunny days”, also has vast design. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 3) hydraulic and aeolian energy FAAD

Fig.22 & 23 Contemporary approach to windows.

Fig. 24 Shading. Kassatly, H. p. 48 Fig. 25 Passive Heating during winter season Fig. 26 Passive Shading. Fig. 27 Sidon Café, Stafford, M., 1998.

25- 26 - 27 western slopes of the Lebanon Envelope Area to Volume Ratio range we find, in spite of the Reducing external surface area - articulated formation of valleys through which heat is exchanged - and the mountainous character, also reduces heating or cooling- the land determines house form energy. Compact volumes have and house orientation. The less surface area to cool In hot orientation of the houses is climates, high rooms allow warm generally dictated by the air to stratify well above your Strategies in topography. (Ragette, F. 1986). head, and increased air-volume Vernacular Lebanese takes longer to warm up. In cool Architecture ones, however, energy Effects of Climate on Building consumption is related to the size Shape and Orientation of buildings. But whether rooms Site Consideration Generally, vernacular buildings seem spacious and restful or The performance of vernacular oriented along an east-west axis claustrophobically cramped is as architecture is strongly affected by are more efficient for both winter much due to their quality as their the site and the siting of the heating and summer cooling. This dimensions (Day, C., 2002). building in relation to its orientation allows for maximum surroundings as stated in “The City solar exposure to the south for Architectural forms are dictated by Shaped” by Spiro Kostof. capturing the heat. This orientation the climate. The proportion of is also advantageous for summer window area to wall area and how Vernacular structures were cooling conditions since it the gabled roof decreases in pitch integrated within the natural minimizes east-west exposure to is an example of this issue. The environments, without causing morning and afternoon summer temptation to create up-to-date major changes to the site. sunlight. This does not mean that designs should not prevent a Excavation was minimal and, all vernacular buildings were modern architect from being depending on the topography of rigidly shape oriented. Different functional. Forgetting the the land, the structure was building shapes and orientations environment into which he will implanted. Climate was also a were designed to perform implant his buildings will take the factor of site consideration. Wind efficiently by combining effective form out of its context. The patterns and the annual sun path openings, solar exposure, and techniques and equipment played a significant role. The shading into the building form. available to the architect today free influence of geography can be Depending upon the site, him from nearly all material observed in the adoption of certain topography, and shape of the constraints. He is responsible to types of construction and the available space, orientations other what surrounds the site, and, by arrangement of the houses. In the than east and west may be building without reference to the Beqa’a the grouping of closed desirable. environment, he is committing a rectangular houses predominates; crime against architecture and the detached house is rare. On the civilization. (Fathy, H. 1986)

106 107 29 28

Microclimate & Thermal mass: Heavy walls in vernacular architecture constitute “thermal 31- 32 mass” which acts as a storage for thermal energy. Depending on the conductivity of the material, the heat is conducted through the wall and the rate of the heat flow depends on the thickness and the loss conditions in north walls difference in temperature between 30 include backing the building into a the conditions on the two sides of sloped hillside or providing a berm the wall. and thermal impacts was achieved (the level area separating ditch through use of vegetation i.e. from bank on a hill-fort or The insulation and thermal mass deciduous trees which interrupt the barrow), both of which reduce the should not be confused. Thermal summer sun’s direct path, and exposed north area to the cold mass stores and re-radiates heat. ground covers which prevent winds and heat loss. In spite of Insulation stops heat flowing into ground reflection as well as these factors during the winter or out of the building. Thermal keeping the earth’s surface cooler, months, north-side open space mass is not a substitute for thereby preventing re-radiation. usually is rendered for outdoor insulation and a high thermal summer activities during the day. mass material is not generally a good thermal insulator. (Roaf, S. North Walls 2003. p. 76). During winter, the north side of a South Wall building receives little direct solar At the exterior of the vernacular impact due to shading from the Solar Path house, thermal mass such as winter sun, which is low in the sky, A vital element in both the passive masonry walls and roofs reduces while the south side is exposed to and active measures, the high the rate of heat absorption and the benefits of winter sun summer pattern and the low winter slows internal temperature rise on exposure. The area that is mostly pattern, play major roles in cooling hot days. affected by solar exposure receives and heating. the most sunlight between the For optimum summer cooling, a hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. vernacular structure’s surroundings during the winter months. In an Southern Exposure were designed to minimize east-west oriented building, a The major southern exposure summer sunlight striking external north-facing exterior wall will be a utilizes the heat and transfers it to surfaces, and to prevent major source of heat loss since other parts of the structure, and surrounding area heat re-radiation heat always moves toward the should be considered strongly. and reflection. The diffusion of cold. Variations of reducing heat undesirable summer direct sun FAAD

Fig. 28 Plant Material reflecting Noise Pollution Fig. 29 Plant Material reflecting Northern Winds Fig. 30 Daily Wind Patterns Fig. 31 & 32 Cooling by Evaporation. Market in Tripoli. Stafford, M., 1998 Fig. 27 Mud House Kassatly, H. p. 142 Fig. 28 Ghazir. Stafford, M., 1998

be it the liwan or the central hall, were another way to block sunlight ensured that it was the coolest in the summer and admit sunlight 28 space during the hot daytime. in winter until early spring as well Shielded on its long sides by the as Overhangs as shading devices adjacent rooms, the open end of in the hot summer and to keep the hall was turned either to the rain water away from walls, north or to the south in order to windows, etc. avoid deep penetration of the sun’s rays. Color played an Windows & Natural Cooling important role in the cooling of Landscaping Windows in historic buildings were structures. Light-colored material • Deciduous trees planted on the sized and placed very accurately in was applied on exterior surfaces, east, south and west sides order to allow the required amount reflecting excessive heat during the provide screening from the sun’s of light as well as air circulation. hot season. Other criteria played a rays in the summer, yet allow the Openings were minimized on the role in selecting the position of the solar warmth to penetrate during east and west walls where summer openings such as views, natural the winder. sunlight is most intense. The lighting and privacy requirements. • Evergreen hedges will provide a reason why the setting sun has a shield against winter winds. stronger effect is due to the added • Plant material is kept away from thermal impact of the earth Shading the face of the building not only reradiating the heat it has gained due to the destructive effects but during the day. The summer sun is South-facing also to the fact that it will keep much higher in the sky and a good South-facing openings can be a the walls damp and thus lower strategy was the use of deciduous source of overheating during its insulating value. trees that shaded the south face summer months. The potential for • Screening for sound pollution and roof during the summer. overheating was controlled by thick also should be considered. Windows were minimized to be thermal mass walls and roofs. The consistent with interior thick, sometimes tapered, walls Wind Patterns requirements and were recessed. were carefully designed to shade This also is an element of both Different dimensions of openings the opening during the summer passive and active measures. The were made to provide proper cross (sun higher in the sky) but not cool summer breezes as well as ventilation and benefit from the block sunlight during the winter the cold northern winds must be prevailing summer winds. Cross- (lower in the sky). The use of considered. Daytime flow patterns ventilation was achieved by movable outside wooden shutters after gaining heat are in the internal windows or vents between was also a means of shading. upward direction whereas the the rooms and the central space, opposite occurs during the night. which originally was permanently Deciduous trees and scaffoldings open. Furthermore, the very that support deciduous vines (vines Fortunately, the placement of the position of the central living space, that lose their leaves in the winter) house parallel to the contours of

108 109 external and internal factors. The external factors include the sun, which with its ultraviolet rays discolors materials, increases the level of heat and has a primary Landscape Elements Cold Climate Temperate Climate Warm Climate role in the freeze-thaw cycle and Ground cover or grass negligible effect on all sides on south on east, west and south temperature variation during all Paving on south shaded if on south shaded if on east, west and daily, seasonal and annual south alterations. On the other hand Shrubs against house wall on east, west and north on east, west and north on all sides precipitation, whether snow, hail, Deciduous shade trees negligible effect on all sides on south and west on east and west sleet, rain, freezing rain, fog, etc., Evergreen trees on east, west and north on east and west on east and west brings water and moisture very Windbreak (trees, Bushes, on sides exposed to winter on sides exposed to winter undesirable on all sides close to the building material and fences) winds winds causes extensive damage by penetrating into any accessible Windbreak used to funnel undesirable on all sides on sides exposed to where cross possible wind summer winds ventilation opening (Nashed, 1996). Gravity is another major cause of energy Source: “Energy Conservation with Landscaping,” by Richard Crenshaw. Federal Energy loss just as biological forces such Administration with National Bureau of Standards. taken from Smith, Baird M., 1978. as birds, rats, fungus, vegetation, etc. The uncontrollable factors causing energy loss are the natural Climatic Effects on Materials the slope and open towards the disasters such as high winds, • Lebanese architecture was valley in most cases also made it tornadoes, earthquakes, determined by the use of face the prevailing wind-direction hurricanes, etc. And finally the materials and methods of and ensured the desired major cause of energy loss is construction extracted from its ventilation. MAN. Some of the factors inflicted natural resources and existing by man are unnecessary land. Within the house we find that an alterations, neglect, war, • Bekaa: in the Bekaa valley rural effort was made to have foul- vandalism, environmental pollution structures are built from sun- smelling areas, such as kitchens (acid rain) and theft. As for the dried-bricks and/or from and bathrooms, on the leeward internal factors of deterioration, rammed earth that has been side of the living areas. moisture is the most detrimental to entirely or partially whitewashed. building elements. Other causes of Stones are softened and internal decay are contaminated malleable. (kassatly, 2000) Humidity air, neglect and man. Evaporation of water in the air in • North: volcanic eruptions covered the land a long time order to get a cooling effect is Adobe construction is limited to the ago; therefore great quantities of useful only at a relative humidity Beqa’a valley. Abundance of stone lava and black basalt are used well below 50%. Consequently, in the whole country offers the in their old structures. elaborate cooling devices in the opportunity for good masonry • Mountain Lebanon: lime stone form of indoor fountains and construction. The availability of deposit on this area distinguishes cascades are not employed. They stone and its continual use for the traditional Lebanese are only found in upper-class construction produced families of dwelling, generally the stone- buildings where they exist primarily stone-masons who passed on their built house. (Liger-Belair, 2000) for their decorative or acoustical accumulated skill from generation The causes that affect the effect. to generation, evolving a mastery deterioration of materials consist of FAAD

and tradition of design in stone which is largely responsible for the REFERENCES: homogeneous character of – Behling, Sophia & Stefan. (2000). Sol Lebanese architecture. Power: The Evolution of Solar Architecture. only is concrete improperly and Munich: Prestel. excessively used but also the – Corpus Levant. 2004. Rehabilitation: Traditional Lebanese Architecture, ecological architecture and Leogravure, Beirut. Climatic Effects on Cleaning equilibrium to the environment are – Day, Christopher. 2002. Spirit & Place. Structures Architectural Press. not being recognized as before. – Edwards, Brian with Hyett, Paul, 2002. Historic buildings when first built Intelligent methods of construction Rough Guide to Sustainability, RIBA had a different microclimate than as well as natural and architectural Company, London. – Fathy, Hassan. 1986. Natural Energy & today’s. Climate was different, with sites must be acknowledged by Vernacular Architecture. The University of less pollution and population, etc. every Lebanese habitant. Although Chicago Press, Chicago. Today, however, besides – Hansen, James. 2004. Defusing the Global these vernacular structures have Warming. Scientific America, March 2004. destructive techniques of abrasive almost disappeared, we still can – Kassatly, Houda, 2000, Terres de Bekaa, cleaning (sand blasting), pollutant Geuthner. trace their evolution and be aware – Liger-Belair, Jacques, 2000. L’habitation au elements of different materials may of their natural environmental Liban / The dwelling in Lebanon, Geuthner. have a much harsher impact on – Maddex, Diane, ed. 1985. All About Old character. Buildings: The Whole Preservation Catalog. the fabric if it is cleaned. The – Giedion, Sigfried. 1957. The Beginnings of gradual build-up of pollutants on We spend most of our lives in Architecture: The Eternal Present. Princeton, N.J.: Prince- ton University the fabric throughout its history buildings and the global human Press. may be the only thing that is population is an urban rather than – Maddex, Diane, ed. 1985. All About Old preventing it from decaying any Buildings: The Whole Preservation Catalog. rural species. We have lost sight of – Sawhill, John C. 1981. ”Preserving History further. the land, seasonal cycles, the and Saving Energy: Two Sides of the Same Coin.” In New Energy f’rom Old struggle for food or warmth, and Bnildings. National Trust for Historic A common practice in Lebanon is instead we have become interested Preservation. Washington, D.C: that whenever a structure needs Preservation Press. in culture, sport and media. – Nashed, Fred. (1996). Exterior Wall cleaning, a “new look”, the Architecture, too, has broken free Design. New York: McGraw Hill. abrasive sandblasting method of its old bonds to locally sourced – National Geographic, 2004. Global Warming, Sept. 2004 seems to be the only method and materials, vernacular traditions, – Ragette, Friedrich. (1985). Architecture in technique applied. Even though and the union between buildings Lebanon. New York: Caravan Books. the technique may show a contrast – Roaf, Sue. Fuentes, Manuel and Thomas, and the land. Cities owe no Stephanie. 2003. ECOHOUSE 2: A Design of results, the abrasive methods allegiance to the carrying capacity Guide, Architectural Press. always result in some loss of fabric – Smith, Baird M. (1978). 3 Preservation of the landscape in which they are Briefs: Conserving Energy in Historic and make the cleaned structure sited. (Edwards, B. 2002, p. 51) Buildings. Washington D.C.: U.S. more susceptible and exposed to Government Printing Office. – Stafford, Marilyn, 1998. Silent Stories: A the unresolved pollutants. Education is one of the most Photographic Journey through Lebanon in effective methods. Teaching our the Sixties. Saqi Books, London. – Szokolay, Steve. 2004. Introduction to present generations about Architectural Science: The Basic of Conclusion pollution and energy-efficient Sustainable Design. Architectural Press. This research not only arouses – Thermie Program of the European methods is not only important; it is Commission GXVII, Ed., 1999. A Green nostalgia but also gives the present vital. Exploring passive concepts Vitruvius: Principles and Practice of generation old but everlasting Sustainable Architectural Design. James & used by old generations and James, Brussels. ideas for an efficient building’s improving them with the acquired – Tombazis, Alexandros N., 2004. construction. The evolution of the Reflections on Sustainability and the scientific knowledge of the current Process of Architectural Design, PLEA traditional Lebanese houses has generations, we can lay strong 2004 Eindhoven. seemed to come to an end. Not foundations for the future. www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technic al/fs17.htm

110 111 THERMAL STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS IN LEBANON

Members from the Faculty of Architecture, Art, and Design and members from Prime Design are currently developing the final phase of the document: CLIMATE AND COMFORT - passive design strategies for Lebanon. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and is implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The local executive agency is the General Directorate of Urban Planning, Ministry of Public Works.

The project promotes familiarity with issues related to climate responsive design as applicable to the Lebanese climate and building characteristics.

The study looks at issues related to climate, comfort, and building characteristics in Lebanon. The sections constituting the document cover the following:

Overview of the climate characteristics of Lebanon and an investigation of the related thermal comfort conditions.

Overview of the fundamental strategies related to passive heating and cooling.

Investigation of the impact of building envelope design on indoor thermal comfort. Something for your Grey Matter

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had young) young) had mare mare bitch duck goose 8. 7. 6. 5.

pi 22. aspect 25. Ra 26. urn 27. posts 4.

sow (female pig having pig (female sow marchioness a count) count) a 3.

29. pose 30. iso- 32. E.R. (Elizabeth 2.

countess (earl is the British/Irish title for title British/Irish the is (earl countess Feminines: Regina) 34. Io 1.

112 113