As part of the partnership between the Faculty of Agronomy and the Lebanese Army, and under the patronage and in the presence of Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani, the Veterinary Training Center was inaugurated at the Faculty’s Center in Ghazir, with support from the Lebanese Army’s Directorate of Military-Civilian Cooperation and the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon.

The opening was attended by President Bassam Badran, the Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, Dr. Nadine Nassif, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, FAO Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Nora Haddad, Head of Mission for the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL) managing civil-military cooperation (CIMIC), Colonel Vittorio Gisonni, as well as a number of members of parliament, union leaders, representatives of security and military commanders, religious leaders, and a large gathering of the university community.

The center serves as a space for training students, qualifying veterinarians, and transferring modern knowledge to farmers and livestock breeders, thereby contributing to improving animal health, reducing diseases and mortality, lowering production costs, and enhancing the quality and safety of milk and meat.

This significant achievement is part of an integrated vision for the development of the Faculty of Agronomy and its affiliated centers, particularly in the field of veterinary medicine across its three majors: companion animal medicine, production and farm animal medicine, and quality control of food products of animal origin. This will establish the center as a leading authority in training and scientific research, given that the Lebanese University is the only institution in the country offering a veterinary medicine program.

During the inauguration, Minister Hani affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to implement programs to protect livestock, particularly the national vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease, tagging of cows, development of an identification and traceability system, and strengthening of veterinary oversight, in addition to combating fraud in milk and dairy products and protecting farmers and consumers.

Dean Nassif emphasized that this achievement is the result of a clear vision, tireless work, and an unwavering belief that investing in science is the most worthwhile investment in the future of this country and its good people.

Dean Nassif spoke about the faculty’s trajectory in recent years, noting that it has obtained CTI (Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur) accreditation and European EUR-ACE accreditation, which affirms its commitment to the highest standards of academic quality, in addition to updating the curricula for the agricultural engineering and veterinary medicine programs in accordance with the latest international standards and the faculty's conclusion of several MoUs with higher education institutions, associations, and NGOs with the aim of supporting scientific research, expanding the horizons of academic partnerships, and strengthening cooperation with civil society.

She added: “The constructive cooperation between the Lebanese University, the Lebanese Army, and the Italian side embodies the highest ideals of partnership in the service of science and the nation, including the Italian Civil-Military Cooperation Unit’s presentation to the Faculty of Agronomy of a new grant aimed at developing the field of plant production through the establishment of an integrated nursery, which paves the way for realizing the Lebanese University’s vision of transforming the faculty into a productive one.”

Dean Nassif also highlighted the cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Scientific Research Authority, and the National Council for Scientific Research.

She emphasized that the agricultural sector is in dire need today of a renewed development vision that positions the Lebanese University as an active partner for farmers, an incubator of knowledge, and a beacon of agricultural guidance—through the adoption of modern technologies, the transfer of expertise, the encouragement of innovation, and the promotion of scientific research—thereby achieving sustainable development and enhancing national production.

President Badran delivered a speech in which he began by stating that the opening of the Veterinary Training Center is an achievement that adds to the Lebanese University’s track record of serving the nation and society.

He noted that the Lebanese University, as the official national university, bears a major responsibility for preparing qualified professionals and advancing scientific research in a manner that meets the needs of the country and society. This center underscores that the Lebanese University does not limit itself to its traditional educational role, but also seeks to provide a specialized training environment that meets international standards and opens the door for students and researchers to gain practical experience in the field of veterinary medicine.

He added: “Veterinary medicine is not merely an academic discipline; rather, it is a cornerstone of protecting public health, ensuring food safety, and supporting the agricultural and livestock sectors in Lebanon—and thus —this center constitutes a direct response to an urgent national need and reflects the university’s vision of being an active partner in shaping national policies related to food and health security.

President Badran noted that this project is the result of close cooperation between the Lebanese University and the Ministry of Agriculture, along with support from our international partners at the FAO and the Italian Civil-Military Cooperation Unit—a partnership that reflects the importance of cooperation between national institutions and international bodies and affirms that Lebanon is capable of building its capacities through joint efforts.

He concluded: “We consider this center a significant step forward in the Lebanese University’s journey toward enhancing quality of education and scientific research, and providing specialized training opportunities, thereby contributing to raising the level of national competencies, and reinforcing the Lebanese University’s standing as a leading academic institution in the region.”

Following the center’s inauguration, an olive tree was planted, and a field tour was organized to visit the agricultural products exhibition, the farms, and the plastic greenhouses.

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