Lebanese American University

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Coordinates: 33°53′34″N 35°28′40″E / 33.89278°N 35.47778°E / 33.89278; 35.47778

Lebanese American University
الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية
Motto To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield
Established 1924
Type Private
President Joseph G. Jabbra
Provost George K. Najjar
Admin. staff 298 full-time and 421 part-time instructional faculty [1]
Students 8000+[1]
Location Beirut and Byblos, Lebanon [2]
Website www.lau.edu.lb

The Lebanese American University (Arabic: الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية ) is a secular, private and independent American university and research institution located in Lebanon. The university is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (CIHE–NEASC).[3] It is composed of two separate campuses, one in Beirut and the other in Byblos, and offers programs leading to degrees in Arts, Engineering, Nursing, Sciences, Pharmacy, and Medicine.

History

LAU’s early days in 1835, during Ottoman times, find a reminder in an engraved stone in Beirut’s city center: “Site of the first edifice built as a school for girls in the Turkish Empire.” The engraving refers to the American School for Girls, established in Beirut by American Presbyterian Missionaries. In 1924, the high school added a two-year junior college program. Three years later, the university was separated as the American Junior College for Women, and moved from downtown to Ras Beirut. In 1933, it relocated once again to its present location in Koreitem, West Beirut.[4] The founding institution was a force for the education of women in Lebanon and the Middle East long before most of the world recognized the need and moral obligation to educate women in a collegiate setting.[5]

In 1948-1949, university expanded into a four-year, university-level institution, and changed its name to the Beirut College for Women. In 1955, the university was chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. In 1970 the Bachelor's degree program was recognized by the Lebanese government as equivalent to the License. In 1974, fifty years after its founding, LAU became co-educational and was renamed Beirut University College.

Adding to LAU’s constantly evolving programs, in 1985, the Board of Regents amended the charter to include two campuses. In 1987, based on the amended charter, BUC opened its northern branch on a hill above the historical port-city of Byblos and in rented buildings in Amsheet. Classes started in the newly built campus in October 1991, and the Byblos campus was officially inaugurated on July 16, 1992.

In 1994, the college changed its name to Lebanese American University. As of 2011, over 8,000 students were enrolled in the seven schools of the University: the School of Arts and Sciences , the School of Business , the School of Engineering , the School of Architecture & Design , the School of Medicine , the School of Nursing , and the School of Pharmacy .

In 2009, businessman, philanthropist, and board member Gilbert R. Chagoury and his wife, Rose-Marie, provided a donation of $10 million to fund the medical school and $3.5 million for the construction of the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing.

Campuses

The university has two campuses within Lebanon, one in Beirut and the other in Byblos.The university's Beirut Campus has expanded over the past five years. New buildings for the School of Business as well as a larger library (the Riyad Nassar Library) have been completed. The Beirut campus maintains its historic look and architecture, but is being continuously renovated to meet the requirements and needs of a growing student population. It hosts the School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the new School of Architecture and Design. .

The Byblos campus is home of the five professional schools at the university: the School of Engineering , the School of Pharmacy , the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine , and the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing . In Addition, the Byblos campus also houses the School of Arts and Sciences , the School of Design and Architecture , and the School of Business . The Frem Civic Center was recently completed and opened to students.[6] Projects currently under construction at Byblos include a new and larger library, new buildings for the Medical and Nursing Schools, as well as a multi-level underground student parking garage.

Accreditation

Since 1949, the university has operated under a charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. USNY is a purely administrative body which, among other functions, accredits colleges and universities in the state.[7] On September 21, 2007, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) granted candidacy status to the university. According to President Joseph G. Jabbra, he said he felt "very strongly" that the university would receive full accreditation in 2009.[8] In 2010 the university received full NEASC accreditation as per a letter sent to President Jabbra.

The university's five-year Bachelor in Architecture program is accredited by the French government, which allows the graduates to practice in France and the European Union.[9]

The School of Pharmacy is a full member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).[10] Currently, the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the university is the only one outside the United States of America that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).The initial accreditation review took place in 2002, when full accreditation was granted. Hence, the university's Pharm.D graduates are eligible for licensure to work as Pharmacists in most US states and provinces.

The Department of Computer Science and Mathematics is ABET accredited, and is the first ABET-accredited Computer Science program in Lebanon.[11]

All of LAU's School of Engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). In the academic year 2006-2007, the school started laying out the groundwork for a self-study required by ABET. Full ABET accreditation was received during the Fall semester of 2011. In addition, the university plans to seek European accreditation for its engineering programs to expand the recognition of its degrees to a global level.[12]

The School of Business is currently pursuing accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the oldest and largest business accreditation association in the world. In light of the time frame involved in AACSB accreditation, the school is in the interim exploring the option of accreditation from the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), a leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. The School of Business is a member of EFMD which is recognized globally as an accreditation body of quality in management education and has established accreditation services for business schools and business school programs, corporate universities and technology-enhanced learning programs.

The Alice Ramez Chaghoury School of Nursing has received accreditation for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

LAU and Partners Harvard Medical International have signed an innovative 10-year collaboration agreement that will significantly reinforce LAU's Medical School standing. Rizk Hospital allows students to practice in the clinical element of the program.

Schools and Degrees Offered

  • School of Architecture & Design
  • School of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy

School of Architecture and Design

The school was inaugurated in Fall 2009 bringing together under its name the 5 disciplines of design offered at LAU. The university is expected to broaden to include Fashion Design and Photography majors in the future. The university's school of architecture and design is the only accredited American University that offers a B.A in Interior Architecture, and B.A in Interior Design.[13] Degrees offered include: Bachelor of Architecture[14] B.A. in Fine Arts[15] B.A. in Interior Architecture[16]
B.A in Fashion Design B.S. in Graphic Design B.S. in Interior Design[17] Minor in Advertising[18] Minor in Digital Media[19] Minor in Islamic Art and Architecture (IAAD)[20]

School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the university and its oldest school. The School is the home of the liberal arts core, which is at the heart of the mission of the University, and is the major provider of service courses to all Schools at university. The School houses the Computer Science and Mathematics Department, the Natural Sciences Department, the Social Science Department, the Education Department, and the Humanities Department. The school administers the Software Institute, the Peace and Justice Institute, the Institute for Migration Studies, and the Institute for Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation.

The school offers five graduate degrees, and 17 undergraduate degrees follows:

Departments

Computer Science and Mathematics

The Department offers B.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Mathematics, Minor in Mathematics, Minor in Computer Science, and Minor in Actuarial Studies."http://sas.lau.edu.lb/csm/programs/".  </ref> The Computer Science Program is accredited by ABET as of October 1, 2010.[21] The program as such is the first ABET accredited program in Lebanon.

Social Sciences

The Department offers: B.A. in Political Science, B.A. in Political Science/International Affairs, B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Social Work, M.A. in International Affairs, Minor in Legal Studies, Minor in Political Science/International Affairs, Minor in Psychology, Minor in Sociology[22]

Communication Arts

The Department offers a B.A. in Communication Arts[23]

Humanities

The Department offers the following degrees: B.A. in English, B.A. in History, B.A. in Philosophy, M.A. in Comparative Literature, Minor in Arabic Language and Literature.[24]

Natural Sciences

The Department offers a B.S. in Biology, B.S. in Chemistry, B.S. in Nutrition, M.S. in Molecular Biology, Minor in Biology, and a Minor in Chemistry.[25]

Education

The Department offers the following degrees; B.A. in Education, M.A. in Education, and a Teaching Diploma.[26]

School of Business

The School of Business has built a reputation as a leading regional Business School. The school is currently pursuing accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the oldest and largest business accreditation association in the world, which provides the gold standard by which business education is measured. AACSB accreditation will mark a high point in the growth of the school’s international reputation.In light of the time frame involved in AACSB accreditation, the school is in the interim exploring the option of accreditation from the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), a leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. The school of business is a member of EFMD which is recognized globally as an accreditation body of quality in management education and has established accreditation services for business schools and business school programmes, corporate universities and technology-enhanced learning programmes.[27] Degrees offered include: B.S. in Business studies (Emphases in Accounting, Banking and Finance, Economics, Family and Entrepreneurial Business Management, Hospitality Management, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing).,[28] B.S. in Economics (Tracks of study in Finance, Management, Mathematics, Political Science/International Affairs),[29] B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management,[30] Master of Business Administration (MBA)[31] and Executive MBA.[32]

School of Engineering

The school of engineering offers five undergraduate engineering programs accredited by ABET, And three graduate programs. Degrees offered include:

BE in Civil Engineering[33] - BE in Mechanical Engineering [33]- BE in Industrial Engineering [33] - BE in Electrical Engineering[33] - BE in Computer Engineering [33] - MS in Computer Engineering [33] - MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering[33] - MS in Industrial Engineering & Engineering management[33]

The Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine

In September 2009, the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine graduated its first class of students.

The $18 million complex is a 12,500-square-meter structure, built and designed with significant input from PHMI. The affiliation with PHMI was established in 2007 as part of a 10-year collaborative effort in which representatives are consulted on issues such as curriculum development, faculty standards, and admissions processes.

Faculty members at the university hail from the United States, Canada, the U.K., Lebanon, and other Arab countries, and come from diverse specializations—general surgery, cardiology, neurology, genetics, oncology, radiology, obstetrics, gynecology, dermatology, and gastroenterology.

The School of Medicine has a four-year program (Med I-Med IV) at the end of which a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree will be granted to successful candidates.

Traditional curricula at the university are lecture-based, discipline-oriented, and impart basic medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, and genetics) in the first two years, followed by clinical disciplines in the last two years. In this curriculum, basic and clinical sciences are integrated and taught simultaneously from Med I to Med IV, with clinical exposure right from the start, including new learning situations and new assessment methods.

Degree offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD)

School of Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy, located at the Byblos campus, was established in 1993 as an integral part of the university to meet the demand of a clinical pharmacy practice in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The School of pharmacy offers two professional degree programs: a five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science Pharmacy (B.S. in Pharmacy),[34] and the six-year program which is a continuation of the BS in Pharmacy leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree. [35]

Currently, the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the university is the only one outside the United States of America that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The initial accreditation review took place in 2002, when full accreditation was granted. Hence, graduates of LAU's six-year Pharm.D program are eligible for licensure to work as Pharmacists throughout the United States of America.

The Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing

Established at the university in 2009 with funding provided by philanthropist Gilbert R. Chagoury, this is university’s first school of nursing and is part of the new medical school on the Byblos campus. It is named the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing, in honor and commemoration of Chagoury’s mother.

The School of Nursing admitted its first class of students in fall 2010. Students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), after a three-year program.

Dr. Nancy Hoffart joined the university in October 2009, as the Founding Dean and Professor.

The School of Nursing is committed to helping address the critical shortage of professional nurses in Lebanon and around the world. Students who join the School can take advantage of co-operative education internships.

Student Life

Student Clubs

Clubs are initiated and organized by students for students and focus on a wide range of interests, including academic majors, culture, sports, human rights, and the arts. They provide students with the opportunity to engage in extracurricular pursuits and hobbies and to establish diverse relationships, contributing to the university goal of developing the whole person.[36]

Play Productions

The university has three theaters—Gulbenkian and Irwin in Beirut, and Selina Korban in Byblos—that are active year-round. Student productions are required of certain majors, and are presented throughout the academic year. The university also offers two major productions, in the fall and spring, and an annual international theater festival that attracts groups from other Middle Eastern universities. Participation in play productions at the university is open to students of any major. For more information, contact the Arts and Communications Department (Beirut) or the Humanities Department (Byblos).

Varsity Sports

The basketball, football, handball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, swimming, and rugby teams at university participate in various local, regional and international collegiate tournaments.

Student Governance

Participation in university's Campus Student Councils and the University Student Council, as well as the Graduate Student Committees on both campuses gives students a voice in the decision-making sphere. Students choose their representatives during elections held in accordance with the respective bylaws.

Libraries

The Libraries at the university comprise the following:

  • Print Books 327,247
  • e-Books 85,084
  • Print Journals 1,006
  • e-Journals (Full text) 63,679
  • Non-print (e.g., maps, videos, slides) 12,158
  • Online databases 89
  • Open Access databases 30

Riyad Nassar Library (Beirut Campus)

The Riyad Nassar Library (Beirut campus) named after university’s president from 1982 to 2004 started functioning on September 19, 2005.The library at the university has over 250,000 information records. There are 492 current print periodical subscriptions at the university library and four special collections. Orientation, individual instruction, training sessions and research assistance are available to library users throughout the year.[37]

Byblos Campus Library

The Byblos Campus was created in 1986 following a Board decision to expand the university into a multi-campus university. It has about 135,000 volumes of books and non-book materials and over 455 current periodicals — current and retrospectiv. The library also includes many internet workstations from which users can access the Library Catalog and other electronic resources.[38]

Notable Alumni

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/facts/index.php
  2. ↑ "LAU Endowment". Official LAU website. Copyright 2011, Lebanon. Retrieved March 10, 2012. 
  3. ↑ Charter and Accreditation LAU website 2011
  4. ↑ Historical Background., LAU Official Website, 2004
  5. ↑ "http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/history/". 
  6. ↑ http://www.lau.edu.lb/news-events/news/archive/lau_inaugurates_frem_civic_cen/
  7. ↑ Charter
  8. ↑ "http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/charter_acc/neasc/". 
  9. ↑ Accreditation LAU website 2011
  10. ↑ School of Pharmacy Accreditation School of Pharmacy
  11. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/csm/accreditation/". 
  12. ↑ "http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/charter_acc/". 
  13. ↑ "http://publications.lau.edu.lb/documents/presidents-report-2012.pdf". 
  14. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/aid/programs/barch.php". 
  15. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/fafs/programs/ba-fine-arts.php". 
  16. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/aid/programs/ba-interior-architecture.php". 
  17. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/aid/programs/bs-interior-design.php". 
  18. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/gd/programs/minor-advertising.php". 
  19. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/aid/programs/minor-digital-media.php". 
  20. ↑ "http://sard.lau.edu.lb/aid/programs/minor-iaad.php". 
  21. ↑
  22. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/social-sciences/programs/". 
  23. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/communication-arts/programs/". 
  24. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/humanities/programs/". 
  25. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/natural-sciences/programs/". 
  26. ↑ "http://sas.lau.edu.lb/education/programs/". 
  27. ↑ "EFMD website". 
  28. ↑ "http://sb.lau.edu.lb/programs/undergraduate/bs-business/". 
  29. ↑ "http://sb.lau.edu.lb/programs/undergraduate/bs-economics/". 
  30. ↑ "http://sb.lau.edu.lb/programs/undergraduate/bs-hospitality-tourism/". 
  31. ↑ "http://sb.lau.edu.lb/programs/graduate/mba/". 
  32. ↑ "http://sb.lau.edu.lb/programs/graduate/emba/". 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 "http://soe.lau.edu.lb/about/programs.php". 
  34. ↑ "http://pharmacy.lau.edu.lb/programs/curriculum/bs.php". 
  35. ↑ "http://pharmacy.lau.edu.lb/programs/curriculum/pharmd.php". 
  36. ↑ http://students.lau.edu.lb/activities/clubs/
  37. ↑ http://www.lau.edu.lb/libraries/about/beirut.php
  38. ↑ http://www.lau.edu.lb/libraries/about/byblos.php
  39. ↑ http://www.lau.edu.lb/news-events/news/archive/engineering_graduate_sells_con/
  40. ↑ http://www.reportedgeint.com/index.asp
  41. ↑ http://www.lau.edu.lb/news-events/news/archive/renowned_photographer_kicks_of/
  42. ↑ http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/12/long-term-unemployment/
  43. ↑ http://publications.lau.edu.lb/documents/lau-magazine-vol13-issue2-summer2011.pdf

External links

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