American University of Science and Technology

The American University of Science and Technology (AUST) (French: Université américaine de sciences et technologie; Arabic: الجامعة الأميركية للعلوم والتكنولوجيا‎) is a private, non-sectarian, and co-educational American university in Lebanon.

American University
of Science and Technology
الجامعة الأميركية للعلوم والتكنولوجيا
Former name
American Universal College
(1989–2000)
MottoCommitment to Excellence (English)
Commitment est ad virtutem (Latin)
TypePrivate
Established1989 (1989)[1]
Academic affiliations
EVALAG
PresidentHiam Sakr
ProvostNabil Haidar
Students5,512 (5,098 undergraduate, 414 graduate)
Location
Beirut, Aley, Sidon, and Zahlé in Lebanon
CampusUrban
Student newspaperAUST MidWeek[2]
ColorsBlue and White
 
Websitewww.aust.edu.lb

It was established in 1989 in Beirut, under the name of the American Universal College of Decree Number 4897, as an External Degree Program from the State University of New York, through its School for Graduate Studies, Empire State College, in the state of New York, United States. However, in 2000, it became a private, non-sectarian and co-educational institution of higher learning licensed by the Lebanese Presidential Decree of Number 3585. Then in 2007, the institute was licensed as "The American University of Science and Technology" acquiesced in Lebanese Governmental Decree of Number 677.[3]

The university offers programs leading to degrees in Business and Economics, Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences and Engineering. As of March 2019, the university has four campuses, one is in Beirut and the other three are in the cities of Aley, Sidon and Zahlé. Since establishing the University's French Section, the university has been encouraging trilingualism of English, French and Arabic environment and cultural entourage.

History
AUST was founded in 1989 in Beirut, Lebanon.

The American University of Science and Technology was founded in 1989, as an External Degree Program from the State University of New York through its School for Graduate Studies, Empire State College in the state of New York, United States, Decree Number 4897 under the name of the American Universal College, by Dr. Hiam Sakr in Alfred Naccache street in Beirut.

The educational institute later changed its name on March 21, 1994 to the American University of Science and Technology. And, on August 7, 2000, it became a private, non-sectarian and co-educational institution of higher learning licensed by the Lebanese Presidential Decree of Number 3585. In 2007, the institute was licensed as a university acquiesced in Lebanese Governmental Decree of Number 677. Nonetheless, Boutros Harb was elected as the head of the Board Of Directors of the university.

The University offers both Undergraduate and Graduate courses and degrees in most of its departments.[4] Its medium of instruction is both in English and French.

Campus

The American University of Science and Technology has three campuses: The Main campus is located in Ashrafieh area in Beirut, Lebanon, of Land space: 10,000 m2 and an existing buildings: 12,245 m2. The Zahlé campus is located on Mouallaka Avenue in Bekaa, East Lebanon, of land space: 8,000 m2 and an existing buildings: 6,000 m2. While the Sidon campus is located at Sindon's northern entrance, Nazih Bizri Boulevard, South Lebanon, of land space: 7,245 m2 and an existing buildings: 3,725 m2.

Garden of Genius

On October 11, 2010, the university had held a commemorating ceremony in the presence of the renowned poet, Said Akl during which he unveiled his own statue at the "Garden of Genius" in the university campus, in Beirut, in the presence of scores of dignitaries, literary figures, religious leaders, politicians and diplomats.

"Said Akl’s original patriotism,
as well as his endless loyalty
to his beloved Lebanon,
was what made him."

— President Hiam Sakr

Faculties

As of March 31, 2011, the Faculty of Business and Economics received the accreditation of International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education for its business programs.

The business programs in the following degrees, as well, are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education: Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor's degree of Science in business administration.

Nevertheless, on September 7, 2016, the Faculty of Science received the accreditation of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc (ABET), for its Engineering and Computer Science programs.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Pope Francis, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church wears Easter Mass liturgical suit designed by the renowned Lebanese fashion designer, AUST instructor, Maged Bou Tanous, in March 2016.

The Faculty of arts and sciences consists of seven academic departments.

Faculty of Business and Economics

The Faculty of business and economics offers programs leading to the bachelor's degree in the following fields of specialization: accounting, economics, finance, hospitality management, management, management information systems, marketing, travel and tourism management, and marketing and advertising. In addition, the Faculty offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the following fields of concentration: accounting, economics, finance, management, hospitality management, management information systems and marketing.

Faculty of Health Sciences

AUST has also decided to participate actively in the development and spreading of biotechnology in Lebanon and the Middle East region by creating the Department of Laboratory Science and Technology. At present, the department offers two biotechnology tracks: the Clinical Laboratory Science and Optics and Optometry. In both tracks the student will enroll in a BS program followed by an optional year of specialty program.

Accreditation and Affiliations

There are more than 33 affiliations covering the areas of transfer of credits, academic curricula, and the exchange of students, exchange of faculty and technical training. Moreover, in 2018, AUST has received an institutional accreditation from Evalag (Evaluation Agency of Baden-Württemberg), member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. The university's affiliations include:

North America

Europe

AUST's Section Française in Beirut's campus.

Asia

Africa

Academics

Admission

The American University of Science and Technology application forms are available at the Admission Offices in the university campuses in Beirut, Zahlé and Sidon. Applications, upon request, shall be sent to the applicant's home or school address or even the application forms can be submitted online on the university's website.

Applications for admission to AUST must be submitted before the end of September for admission to the Fall semester, before the end of January for admission to the Spring semester and before the end of June for admission to the Summer session.

Libraries

The AUST University Library System is centered in each of every campus and it comprises nearly three individual libraries.

Student life

Athletics

The AUST sport activities office gives students the opportunity to socialize, organize events, and work in teams within areas of Interest, which are not necessarily academic.

In sport activities office there are several sports and activities such as: Rugby, aerobics, football, basketball, handball, volleyball, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Dance de Salon (ballroom dance), dancesport, chess, Thai-kick boxing, Crazy Dunkers, Hip Hop, Yoga and tennis.

Team spirit, fair competition and sportsmanship run high at AUST's men and women varsity squads. The basketball, football, handball, volleyball, rugby teams participate in various local, regional and international collegiate tournaments, getting exposed not only to high level competition but also memorable experience.

Student Clubs
Night View of the university's Bloc B in Beirut.

Student clubs are established to promote the various interests of AUST students. These clubs are supported by the University. Each student club has a full-time faculty advisor who accompanies the members to all of their organized activities. The activities of these clubs are run according to sound business practices.

The Student Life council reviews all requests for student activities by the various student clubs. In the event that an approved club activity falls short financially, the Student Activities Fund may be used to cover the deficit.

The AUST clubs, in 2015, include, but are not limited to the following clubs:

  • Environmental Club,
  • First Aid Club,
  • Music Club,
  • Photography Club,
  • Drama Club, and
  • Chess Club

Honorary Doctorates

During each graduation ceremony, the university awards degrees in ad honorem to distinguished personalities' contributions to a specific field or to the society in general. The following is a list of Lebanese, Arab and international personalities that the American University of Science and Technology has awarded:

Boutros Harb is the elected head of the Board of Directors of the AUST.

Notable Alumni

American University of Science and Technology list of notable alumni includes:

  • Serena Shim, American journalist. The Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism was launched to honor her.[6]
  • Ali Hashem, columnist for Al-Monitor and BBC Arabic's bilingual Iran affairs correspondent. He previously served as Al Mayadeen news network's chief correspondent. Until March 2012, he was Al Jazeera's war correspondent, and prior to that he was a senior journalist at the BBC. Ali has written for several international Institutes and media outlets, such as The Guardian, the Sunday Times, the Middle East Institute, the Century Foundation, Carnegie Foundation, among others. In the Arab world Ali wrote for Lebanese daily As Safir, the Egyptian dailies Al-Masry Al-Youm and Aldostor and the Jordanian daily Alghad.
  • Layal Abboud, pop singer, folk music entertainer, sound-lyric poet, concert dancer, fit model and humanitarian.
  • Dana Halabi, singer and model.

See also

References
  1. "AUST, formerly established as The American Universal College ("AUC")".
  2. "AUST MidWeek". AUST University.
  3. http://www.higher-edu.gov.lb/arabic/privuniv/universities/AUST.htm
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism". Serena Shim Award. Retrieved October 22, 2019.

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