Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) seeks to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. In Lebanon, the issue of poverty has become particularly acute due to the compounded crises the country has faced in recent years, including economic collapse, political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastating Beirut port explosion in 2020. Poverty has significantly affected various aspects of life, including access to education, healthcare, and basic services.

Lebanon’s Approach to SDG 1

Social Assistance Programs:

In response to rising poverty, the Lebanese government has implemented several social protection programs. These include initiatives such as NPTP (National Poverty Targeting Program), which provides cash assistance to families living below the poverty line. The program also focuses on improving access to healthcare and education for vulnerable groups.

Education as a Tool to Combat Poverty:

Access to education is a key aspect of the government’s efforts to reduce poverty. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), despite Lebanon’s economic challenges, strives to keep schools open and functioning. The Reaching All Children with Education (RACE) initiative, for example, aims to ensure access to education for vulnerable Lebanese students and Syrian refugees. Education is seen as an essential pathway to empower young people, providing them with the tools to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Support from International Organizations:

Lebanon has also received significant support from international donors and organizations to address poverty and its associated issues. The World Bank, the United Nations, and other agencies have provided financial aid and technical support to alleviate poverty, improve living conditions, and sustain basic services such as education and healthcare.

Challenges Facing Lebanon’s Poverty Reduction Efforts:

Despite these initiatives, Lebanon faces substantial challenges in combating poverty. The devaluation of the Lebanese lira, skyrocketing inflation, and political deadlock have severely undermined government programs. Many families are unable to afford basic needs, including education, leading to rising school dropout rates. Additionally, the refugee crisis has placed immense pressure on already strained public services, including education.

Beirut Arab University and SDG 1

Beirut Arab University (BAU) plays an important role in supporting SDG 1 by providing educational opportunities, financial aid, and social programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality.

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

BAU offers a variety of scholarships and financial assistance programs to help students from low-income backgrounds pursue higher education. These programs aim to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from accessing quality education. By providing tuition assistance and other forms of support, BAU helps students continue their education, empowering them with the skills necessary to improve their economic prospects.

Community Engagement and Outreach Programs:

BAU is actively involved in community engagement initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty in Lebanon. The university’s social responsibility programs include organizing charity events, providing free legal consultations, and offering healthcare services to underprivileged communities. These efforts directly support those affected by poverty, helping improve their quality of life.

Education as a Tool for Empowerment:

The university believes in education as a fundamental tool for combating poverty. By offering a wide range of academic programs and vocational training, BAU provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to secure employment and contribute to Lebanon’s economic development. The university focuses on fields that are in demand in the labor market, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to find jobs and support their families.

Research and Advocacy:

BAU engages in research that addresses social and economic challenges in Lebanon, particularly issues related to poverty and inequality. The university’s research centers and academic departments conduct studies on topics such as sustainable development, social justice, and economic empowerment. This research helps inform policies and initiatives that aim to reduce poverty at both the national and local levels.

Student Involvement in Poverty Alleviation:

BAU encourages its students to participate in social responsibility and community service initiatives. Students are involved in volunteer programs that focus on helping underprivileged communities, such as tutoring children from low-income families or participating in food distribution programs. This not only raises awareness among students about the realities of poverty but also instills a sense of social responsibility and activism.

Conclusion

In Lebanon, the fight against poverty is a national priority, especially in light of the economic and political challenges the country faces. While the Lebanese government has implemented social assistance programs and worked to maintain access to education as a critical tool in poverty reduction, ongoing economic difficulties continue to hinder progress.

Beirut Arab University contributes to the achievement of SDG 1 by providing scholarships, financial aid, and community services that help alleviate poverty. Through its educational programs, research, and student involvement in social responsibility initiatives, BAU plays a crucial role in empowering individuals and supporting national efforts to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.

Merit Scholarships

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Undergraduate/Merit-Scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded to distinguished students to encourage academic excellence.

Lebanese Baccalaureate Scholarship

The top three students in each of the four branches of the Lebanese Baccalaureate are granted an annual full cost scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Submit the official Baccalaureate certificate approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The scholarship is renewable every semester provided the student maintains a minimum SGPA of 3.5.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Upon registration, the eligible student must fill in the application ICONNECT and send it via email to stud-aff@bau.edu.lb.

Ranking Scholarships

The top five students at each level of all undergraduate programs receive reductions on the tuition fees of the subsequent semester as follows

STUDENT RANK PERCENTAGE

First 80%

Second 50%

Third 30%

Fourth 25%

Fifth 15%

The number of scholarships is determined according to the number of students per class (minimum of 15 students per class)

NUMBER OF STUDENTS/LEVEL/PROGRAM MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS

15-25 1

26-50 2

51-75 3

76-99 4

100 and up 5

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of 15 credit hours should be registered per semester.
• A minimum SGPA of 3.5.
• Having successfully passed all course(s) during the semester
• In the senior year, a minimum of 10 credit hours should be registered per semester.
• APPLICATION PROCEDURES
• No application is required; the scholarship is automatically dispensed upon enrollment in the subsequent semester.

Awards

JAMAL ABDUL NASSER AWARD

Upon graduation, the top student at each faculty with a minimum CGPA of 3.33 receives Jamal Abdul Nasser Award for Academic Distinction together with a cash prize.

ISSAM HOURI AWARD

In the honour of Mr. Issam Houri, BAU’s Late Secretary General, the top student in Accounting at the Faculty of Business Administration receives Issam Houri Award together with a cash prize.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

No application is required; award is automatically dispensed upon graduation.

Work Study Plan

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Undergraduate/Work-Study-Plan

Undergraduate students facing financial difficulties are offered paid part-time jobs at the various BAU faculties, offices and departments. This will help them improve their work, communication and academic skills. Each applicant shall be assigned a limited number of hours per semester.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must demonstrate financial need and their financial aid applications must be accepted.

Applicants must register a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (except for senior students) with a CGPA>=2..

The financial aid will be cancelled for applicants who fail to work satisfactorily and/or complete the scheduled hours for no valid reasons.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The Work Study Plan application form must be filled on ICONNECT and sent to: stud-aff@bau.edu.lb

Social Financial Aid

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Undergraduate/Social-Financial-Aid

Need-Based

BAU provides a comprehensive need-based financial aid that makes it financially possible for its students to pursue their studies. In this case, financial support is embodied in the reduction of tuition fees with varied percentages depending on the student’s financial status.

The online application for the academic year 2020-2021 shall be available on iConnect starting November 2020. The deadline to submit the required documents will be announced in due time.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for a need-based financial aid, you should have fulfilled the following:

Registered a minimum of 12 credit hours during the fall semester

Got a cumulative GPA greater or equal to 2.0

Disbursed 50% of the Fall 2020-2021 tuition fees

Haven’t benefitted from any siblings’ discounts, grants, or scholarships from BAU

Haven’t benefitted from any external financial aid

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Family Civil Status Record

Employment certificate of the provider’s job(s) (applicant, father, mother or guardian) which states the job title, years of service and the monthly salary

If the provider is self-employed or business owner, a Self-income Statement should be submitted.

School statements or receipts of annual fees for each dependent child enrolled at a school or university

A photocopy of any rental contract(s) and/or ownership of real estate

A photocopy of car registration form(s) for every car owned by the family

A photocopy of a loan agreement if applicable

An academic transcript

Any further documents that would support the application for a financial aid (e.g. medical reports, recent medical/hospitalisation bills, certificate of job termination or end of service, etc.…).

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Students who meet the required conditions must submit the application via the university portal iConnect and present a copy of this application together with the required documents to the Faculty Executive Administrator according to the deadlines assigned.

The Financial Aid Committee examines all applications that meet the criteria, announces the students’ names, and sets interview dates.

Applicants who meet the required conditions will be interviewed by the committee to assess the applicants’ financial and social status. Applicants might expect a home inspection by a social worker, if deemed necessary by the committee.

Accepted applications are referred to the Financial Aid Committee who identifies the eligible applicants. The committee has the right to request any further information/documents if deemed necessary.

DISQUALIFICATION

A cumulative GPA less than 2.0.

Any fraud information or a missing document

APPLY ONLINE

Child Aids for University Staff

BAU provides child aids for eligible staff out of its sense of responsibility towards them.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

A maximum of three children are fully exempted from the fees of the registered courses.

Full fees will be charged for repeated courses.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Upon registration, the eligible student must fill in the application on iConnect and send it via email to hr@bau.edu.lb.

Athletic Scholarship

BAU sports teams have organized and participated in friendly matches and competitions with other faculties and universities and won hundreds of championships. Athletic scholarships are awarded to students with recognized athletics skills.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

An athletic achievement: an award or a prize

An athletic capability and talent

A cumulative GPA greater or equal to 2.5

Team Ranking (1st,2nd, 3rd)

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Upon registration, the eligible student must fill in the application on iConnect and send it via email to activities@bau.edu.lb

The student must submit all documents confirming his/her skills in the specified athletics field.

The Athletic Scholarship Selection Committee evaluates applications and send confirmation letters to the selected candidates.

Siblings Discount

Siblings enrolled in the undergraduate studies during the same semester at BAU are granted a 12.5% off the total tuition fees each semester per sibling. Yet, the total deduction of all siblings shall not exceed any of the siblings’ total fees.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Siblings must be enrolled in the undergraduate level at the university during the same semester.

Siblings can benefit from the discount starting their first semester of enrollment at BAU.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications must be submitted on iConnect.

The discount is automatically applied upon the settlement of 50% of the tuition fees per sibling.

Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Undergraduate/Accommodation-scholarships-in-Debbieh-Campus

Accommodation

Starting Fall 2020-2021, students willing to stay in the dorms of the Debbieh campus can apply to the annual Student On-campus Accommodation grant which covers part of the BAU dorm fees.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All students are eligible to annually apply for the grant as long as they are willing to stay at the BAU dorms in Debbieh.

Students willing to move and live at the BAU dorms in Debbieh away from their families are eligible for the grant.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Students must fill in the application every academic year and submit it along with the required documents within the set deadline.

The deadline for the submission of the application for the academic year 2020/2021 shall be announced in due time.

The student is responsible for keeping a copy of the application and the required documents for future reference.

Only complete applications, with the required documents, will be considered.

Required documents: A photocopy of any rental contract(s) and/or ownership of real estate (issued within 1 month).

Applications should be filled in on iConnect and sent to housing@bau.edu.lb.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Tripoli-Campus/Scholarships-Awards

Baccalaureate Scholarship

This program aims to cover a percentage of the tuition fees including intensive English courses, of the newly accepted students at all faculties of Tripoli branch: Business Administration, Architecture-Design and Built Environment, Engineering, Science and Health Sciences. The scholarship of the First semester is based on their Lebanese official baccalaureate exam results or its equivalent as shown below:

Starting the second semester, the students can maintain the scholarship according to the semester GPA:

Ranking Scholarship

Each semester, a maximum of 2 top students, at each level of all undergraduate programs, who have completed 15 credits and above are exempted from a percentage of the subsequent semester tuition fees as shown in table and the number of scholarships is selected according to the number of students as shown below:

• 50% Scholarships are awarded to 20 high school students (nominated by their high schools) with outstanding academic qualifications. Minimum required average in the Lebanese General Secondary Certificate should be 15/20. These Scholarships cover up to 50% of tuition fees.
• Scholarships are awarded to the 5 highest-ranking students in each of the four branches of the Lebanese Secondary School Certificate in the North. These Scholarships cover up to 80% of tuition fees of the first semester and may be maintained as long as the recipients’ SGPA is 3.5 and above.
• Free Transportation for students living in Akkar, Mennieh and Dennieh based on the number of students.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program Workshop

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Fulbright-Foreign-Student-Program-Workshop

With the aim of providing opportunities for our BAU graduates, to acquire international Scholarships, the Deanship of Graduate studies & Research, in cooperation with the coordinator of Educational and Scholarship Programs, AMIDEAST/Lebanon, Mrs. Hala Kaadi and the Exchange Programs Coordinator from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Mrs. Leen Al Yaman Chehade, 3 days workshops were held on the 13th, 14th & 15th March about ‘Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program" in Debbieh, Tripoly, and Beirut Campuses respectively .
Mrs. Kaadi highlighted the opportunity offered to BAU students to obtain a Master’s Degree from a University in the United States and discussed all the application requirements, instructions and provisions about the scholarship in addition to the scholarship benefits and more.

Erasmus Scholarships for Postgraduate Students

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/Erasmus-Scholarships-for-Postgraduate-Students

Under the collaboration of EACEA, Beirut Arab University is pleased to announce the Scholarships offered by Erasmus and Programs 2015 for Postgraduate Students.

Program based Scholarships

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Graduate/Program-based-Scholarships

WHAT IS THE SCHOLARSHIP ABOUT?

BAU provides direct financial support in the form of tuition fees reduction to newly admitted students holding a Bachelor Degree obtained from Beirut Arab University or any other recognized university and applying to Master majors in the:

• Faculty of Human Sciences (except Mass Communication program)
• Faculty Law & Political Sciences and to
• Faculty Architecture - Design and Built Environment. (awarded to MArch program only)

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

Applicants can benefit from reduction in tuition fees.

WHAT ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP TERMS?

• Scholarships are awarded to applicants for both the fall and spring semesters of every academic year.
• Graduates must apply for an application to benefit from this scholarship.
• Graduates in all of the Master Programs at the Faculties of Human Sciences (except Mass Communication program), Law & Political Sciences and the MArch program in the Faculty Architecture - Design and Built Environment.
• Non-BAU Graduates must successfully pass a language exam in accordance with the language of instruction at the Faculty of Human Sciences or provide a proof of English proficiency by obtaining a minimum score on any of the equivalent tests shown in the table below.

• Non-BAU Graduates applying to the MArch program at the Faculty Architecture - Design and Built Environment must successfully pass the language exam or provide a proof of English proficiency by obtaining a minimum score on any of the equivalent tests as shown in the table above.
• BAU and Non-BAU Graduates are exempted from the language exam if applying to the Faculty of Law and Political Science. However, they must sit for a personal interview with the concerned department at the Faculty.
• Selection criteria is based in accordance with the student’s CGPA or its equivalence in the case of the full academic year system.
• Registered students can carry on with the Tuition fees reduction only if maintaining the minimum SGPA required until graduation.

WHICH FACULTY EMPLOYS THIS SCHOLARSHIP?

Faculties of Human Sciences, Law & Political Sciences and Architecture - Design and Built Environment.

Info Session by the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Info-Session-by-the-Doha-Institute-for-Graduate-Studies

The Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research in collaboration with the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies hosted an info session on Thursday September 28th, 2023 in Ali Rashed Hall, Beirut campus aiming at informing our students of study and scholarship opportunities at the Doha Institute.

Students from BAU faculties attended the info session, particularly from the Faculties of Human Sciences, Law and Political Science, and Business Administration where they learned about study, research and scholarship opportunities. Distinguished speakers from the Doha Institute presented information in this session and they were: The Admissions Manager, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmed, the Director of Student Affairs Ms. Nasema Hassan Abdeen, and the Student Career Advising and Skills Development Specialist Ms. Alia Chebaro. The speakers discussed all details regarding enrollment and possible means of collaboration between the institute and Beirut Arab University.

Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Humanitarian Initiative

https://twitter.com/BeirutArabUni/status/1596067060647628800

Beirut Arab University extends its sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for his generous humanitarian initiative to support the academic path of university students, especially in light of the current economic conditions that the country is going through.

Thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

https://www.bau.edu.lb/thanks-and-appreciationto-His-Highness-the-Father-Emir-Sheikh-Hamad-Bin-Khalifa-Al-Thani

Tripoli Campus

Beirut Arab University extends its sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani for his generous humanitarian initiative in supporting the academic path of university students, especially in light of the current economic conditions that the country is going through, and the majority of the Lebanese people suffer from it.

Beirut Arab University salutes His Highness for this generous gesture towards its eighty-four (84) students who benefited from the educational scholarship provided by His Highness specifically for Tripoli students of various disciplines, amounting to one hundred and thirteen thousand two hundred and fifty US dollars ($250'113).

The University renews its appreciation for the initiative of His Highness the Father Amir, and wishes him good health and longevity, and the State of Qatar continued progress, pride and brilliance.

An MOU between BAU – Faculty of Human Sciences and Sidon Orphan Welfare Society (OWS)

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/An-MOU-between-BAU-Faculty-of-Human-Sciences-and-Sidon-Orphan-Welfare-Society-OWS-

On Wednesday, 20th October 2021, the Faculty of Human Sciences at Beirut Arab University and the Sidon Orphan Welfare Society (OWS) signed an MOU towards the enhancement of undergraduate and graduate internships as well as the provision of work opportunities as OWS for the Faculty graduates.

The agreement was signed by Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of Beirut Arab University, and Dr. Said Mekkawi, President of OWS. It aims to facilitate the rendering of multi-sector services to children in Lebanon in a safe and timely manner. The agreement also aims to provide students at BAU with the required technical and field skills to ensure their capacity building, expertise and readiness for the job-market.

In the light of the agreement, BAU and OWS are committed to strengthening the humanitarian response to children’s needs, with the ultimate goal of bettering children’s wellbeing and development.

Collaboration - Inas Abou Ayyash Foundation

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Entrepreneurship/News/Collaboration-Inas-Abou-Ayyash-Foundation

CFE has collaborated with IAAF to empower a team of students each year. While CFE offer them coaching and support, IAAF awards the winning team a $10,000 in cash to start their project

BAU and “IRADA” Launched Free Clinics for Corona Patients

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-and-IRADA-Launched-Free-Clinics-for-Corona-Patients

The President of Beirut Arab University Professor Amr Galal El Adawi and President of the Association of Businessmen for Support and Development (IRADA) Mr. Assem Nawam opened the free field clinics for Corona patients affiliated to the BAU Health Care Center which were established in partnership by the two parties.

The clinics will provide free medical examination and follow-up to patients who do not need hospitalization and can be treated at home by a group of specialist doctors and nurses in field clinics specially established near the intersection of Sports City and Tarik Al Jadidah. They consist of seven clinics fully equipped with their facilities, and a ready ambulance for the Islamic Medical Association to transfer critical cases to Makassed Hospital and Rafik Hariri Hospital.

Beirut Arab University and IRADA had started the first phase of the community support agreement to face the Corona epidemic through the telephone clinics, which had provided support for more than 1,800 consultations and reviews through university doctors, and the second phase was completed by with opening of the clinics.

The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Lebanon H.E. Dr. Yasser Elwi, President of the Board of Trustees of the Wakf El Bir Wal Ihasn Society Dr. Ammar Houri, Dr. Khaled Kabbani, General Manager of Social Welfare Institutions in Lebanon, Faissal Sinno President of the Islamic Philanthropic Association in Beirut , representatives of medical and social societies, Deans of Medical Faculties, the Secretary General of BAU Dr. Omar Houri, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, and Director of Statistics Division at ESCWA, Dr. Juraj Riecan.

The Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the Medical Director of the Health Care Center at BAU, Dr. Issam Shaarani, said that the number of patients in a medical perspective is divided into a large group, which is for patients who suffer from limited symptoms and are treated at home through the necessary instructions, while the second group is for the patients who have severe symptoms where they need a medical evaluation, and they may need to be admitted to hospital. As for the third group, they are critically ill patients and mostly need intensive care.

“The idea of establishing Corona telephone and field clinics was launched from this perspective. Telephone clinics enable the largest group to obtain medical care over the phone all day long, while those with severe symptoms can be evaluated in the field clinics and given the necessary treatments and instructions." Shaarani said.

Then Mr. Assem Nawam President of IRADA said, “What we are doing today is not just cutting the opening ribbon for an important social and health initiative for our community, but rather it is more and further away from that. In cooperation with our partners at Beirut Arab University, we are laying together the foundation stone for the future Beirut Arab University Hospital, which is the dream project that we must all work to achieve with all our strength and capabilities to establish it in this particular place so that it forms a long-awaited medical and social edifice.

Nawam added: "By opening the Corona field clinics project, we will have contributed to achieving the third goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is to secure good health for an important segment of society, which is an act that makes us all feel honored and proud".

Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi, President of the University talked about "the importance of cooperation between institutions to serve the community in light of the pandemic that is widely spreading. The health and social situation of the human being in Lebanon has become threatening, especially since hospitals have reached their maximum capacity, and that field clinics shall contribute in facing the virus, which will provide its services freely for everybody through a medical and nursing team from BAU under the supervision of the BAU Health Care Center of the Faculty of Medicine.

The President of the University mentioned that “The graduates and students from the Faculties of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy are in the frontlines in all the Lebanese areas doing their jobs in facing the pandemic.” He added: “The opening of the clinics is a completion of the second phase of the project according to an agreement signed between the two parties where Beirut Arab University is responsible for selecting the medical and nursing staff, manages it and handles its affairs, provided that IRADA prepares the telephone and field clinics and provide the cost of operation."

The ceremony was concluded by a field tour.

BAU - Tripoli Campus Aids in Civic Engagement at Beirut Port Blast

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-Tripoli-Campus-Aids-in-Civic-Engagement-at-Beirut-Port-Blast

The Nursing Students at the Faculty of Health Sciences – Tripoli Branch have assisted in clearing debris from downtown Beirut – Al Nahar Newspaper Region and Karantina Hospital. Students of the faculty from other departments are helping “Beirut Hope” Association in packing and distributing food items to the families affected by Beirut Blast. Professor Maha Dankar, a lecturer in the Nursing Department in Tripoli, is organizing and supervising these activities and coordinating the work between students to help needy people and ensure the efficiency of their work.