The American University of Beirut (AUB) is a leading institution of higher education in the Middle East, known for its strong emphasis on academic excellence, research, and community engagement. Founded in 1866, AUB offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines, including science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and the humanities. The university combines a rigorous American-style education with a deep commitment to regional relevance, addressing key challenges in health, food security, sustainability, and innovation. With a diverse student body and an active research environment, AUB plays a central role in advancing knowledge and training future leaders in Lebanon and beyond.
Sustainable agri-food systems, postharvest management, on-site processing, food loss reduction, value addition, Mediterranean agriculture, perishable crops, circular economy, food valorization, small-scale processing, agro-food innovation, climate resilience, biotechnology, food quality, supply chain optimization, rural development, cooperatives, technology transfer, SMEs, capacity building
The proposed collaboration brings together a multidisciplinary consortium combining academic institutions, research centers, SMEs, and relevant stakeholders from across the Mediterranean region. The partnership will integrate expertise in postharvest biology, food processing, biotechnology, and sustainable production systems to develop on-site transformation solutions for perishable agri-food products. Academic partners will lead research and technology development, while SMEs and industry partners will support pilot-scale implementation, validation, and market-oriented solutions. Collaboration with local producers, cooperatives, and extension services will ensure that the developed approaches are practical, scalable, and adapted to real production conditions. In addition, the consortium will promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technology transfer across participating countries, with a strong focus on sustainability, reduction of food losses, and valorization of Mediterranean agri-food products.
