Fifth Annual FEA Student Conference Held

Dean Hajj and Provost Heath cutting the cake alongside distinguished alumni

The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture held its Fifth Annual Student Conference on May 17-18. The two-day event began with the ceremonial presentation of awards to six distinguished FEA alumni (see accompanying article). The conference agenda was composed of a number of technical sessions, presented by both students and alumni, and included a display of the projects of final year students.

The annual FEA event is of special benefit to the students. Participation in the technical sessions allows them to gain experience in writing, presenting, and displaying their research findings. Faculty members and alumni also benefit; they have the opportunity to hear about the projects of others and to share in the exchange of ideas that is the valuable hallmark of any well organized conference.

The variety of topics addressed by the speakers was enormous, ranging in nature from the philosophical to the intensely technical. The eight technical sessions included everything from graphic design to computer vision to robotics, and every session hosted at least four student presenters. The alumni who spoke during the four plenary sessions also covered a wide range of topics; some presented their current projects and others delineated their experiences as engineers after graduating from AUB. One even explained how he left the field to become a writer.

The FEA is dedicated to constantly improving and updating its technology components. Both the alumni and students participating in the conference demonstrated their commitment to this purpose, especially in the utilization of technology in the creative aspect of design and invention.