New Master's Program in Information and Communication Technology Launched

Hagenauer (center) honored for his dedication and support for the program by Hajj (left) and Dawy (right)

In response to regional market needs, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering recently introduced a new master's program in information and communication technology (ICT). The new program, which will lead to a master's of engineering, was developed with a 494,000.00 Euro grant from the European Union's TEMPUS program, in collaboration with Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany (TUM), University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, and Siemens AG of Germany.

The program was announced on January 28 by the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture in a gathering of students and faculty members and in the presence of the German Ambassador Hansjorg Haber. The program, which will give students the opportunity to study or train abroad, will feature both research and practical training components and will include business courses, hands-on lab training, and special courses by industry specialists and guest professors. Students will be required to do an internship as part of the program and supplement their experience with practical training within the industry they are interested in.

Representing Education Minister Mohammed Qabbani was Aref Asoufi, who congratulated AUB for having been selected by TEMPUS to establish the program. "Your project has been run with professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness, despite the unstable situation in the country," he said. "Policymakers are increasingly looking to higher education to help in the process of change," he remarked. "This will certainly require programs that are responsive, visionary, and dynamic." Asoufi also informed the audience that the ministry was in the process of reforming its education sector to respond to market needs.

TUM Professor Joachim Hagenauer, who is the grant holder of the project, said the new program resulted in efforts made over a period of almost four years. He also said the project is likely to bring more diversity to the AUB student body, as attested by the four German exchange students who joined AUB in the past two years, despite the ongoing political problems in the country.

The chair of the department, Professor Karim Qabalan, outlined the program requirements, noting that it was devised after consulting with regional companies and surveying their needs. Moreover, the program includes a business management component as well as a research and practical training/internship.

In conclusion, Professor Hagenauer was honored with a statuette for his dedication and efforts in establishing the program.