The American University of Beirut hosted the fourth edition of its annual Keepers of the Land Prize on May 18 recognizing outstanding final-year student projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact.
The Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted the fourth edition of its annual Keepers of the Land Prize on May 18, 2026, at FAFS-AUB.
Established by ESDU, the Keepers of the Land Prize recognizes outstanding final-year student projects from FAFS that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact. The initiative aims to encourage the next generation of changemakers in developing practical solutions within the fields of agriculture, agribusiness, nutrition, and food science.
Keynote addresses commenced the award ceremony with speeches delivered by Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut; Dr. Ammar Olabi, Dean of FAFS-AUB; and Dr. Shady Hamadeh, Director of ESDU. The speakers highlighted the importance of empowering youth, supporting applied research, and fostering innovation that addresses pressing agricultural, nutritional, and environmental challenges in Lebanon and the region. Christelle Bou Harb, ESDU’s Executive Officer, concluded the opening segment with an overview of ESDU’s journey, achievements, and future vision.
The event also featured an inspirational musical segment by Eng. Mohammad Safieddine and student Iman El Sahili, who paid tribute to Lebanon’s land and its keepers, adding a heartwarming cultural dimension to the event. Introduced by Diana Marroush Abi Said, Liaison Officer at ESDU and Member of ESDU’s Executive Committee, guest speakers Dr. Mounir Abi Said and Eng. Ziad Moussa shared valuable personal reflections on leadership, innovation, sustainability, and the role of young professionals in shaping a sustainable future. In recognition of their enduring dedication and invaluable contributions to ESDU, they were conferred the honorary “Keepers” title by Dr. Shady Hamadeh.
Following this segment, the winners of the Keepers of the Land Prize 2026 were announced. In the Agriculture and Agribusiness category (AGSC298B – AGBU292B), two projects were recognized for their innovation and potential impact:
In the Nutrition and Food Sciences category (NFSC299), the winning project was:
The winning teams presented their projects to attendees, highlighting the research process, key findings, and potential applications of their work. The projects were evaluated and selected by a professional jury composed of experts and academics in the field. For the Agriculture and Agribusiness categories, the jury included Dr. Abdo Tannoury, Eng. Rayan Haydar, Adel Ghandour, and Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan. Projects in the Nutrition and Food Sciences category were evaluated by Dr. Carla Habib Mourad, Dr. Imad Toufeili, and Lana Fayed Arayssi.
This year’s edition of the Keepers of the Land Prize was supported by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme through the Mediterranean Waste Innovations for Sustainable Environments (MEDWISE) project, implemented in Lebanon by ESDU-AUB. Through this collaboration, the competition introduced a new evaluation criterion emphasizing sustainable waste management, encouraging students to integrate environmentally responsible and innovative approaches into their projects.
Acknowledgement is also extended to Beit El Baraka and AUB’s President’s Club for sponsoring the awards and contributing to the recognition of student excellence. Their support reflects a shared commitment to empowering future leaders and advancing innovative solutions in Lebanon.
Through initiatives such as the Keepers of the Land Prize, ESDU strengthens the connection between education, research, and real-world impact, while investing in the next generation of innovators dedicated to building a more sustainable future.
Last Update
25/06/2026
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