The field of engineering is evolving at warp speed. Advancements in artificial intelligence, construction material, data analytics, sustainable energy and communications, among others, have driven engineers to embrace lifelong learning and research.

While a bachelor’s degree in engineering is no doubt a springboard for formulating skills and know-how in the field, graduate engineering degrees have become increasingly invaluable for setting up industrialists and researchers for success.

At LAU, the School of Engineering (SOE) offers a wealth of six online and in-person graduate programs that have been tailored to allow for maximal impact and applicability within several engineering fields, whether learners work in the industry or choose to pursue an academic research track.

The MS in International Construction Management, offered fully online, fills a market need for project managers working at multinational construction companies to help them transcend globalization challenges. It provides extensive, practical knowledge on the different types of contracts, labor unions, crew safety and legal issues across borders, among others.

Another online master’s degree, the MS in Engineering Management, is designed to bolster an engineer’s technical know-how with effective leadership skills that are essential in the industry. Courses cover topics such as business analytics, decision analysis, risk assessment and supply-chain management—all crucial areas of improvement for up-and-coming engineers looking to advance their careers.

Master’s degrees offered in-person offer an enriching educational experience. Perched uphill on the vibrant Byblos campus, the state-of-the-art Engineering Labs and Research Center (ELRC) is a dynamic 10,000 m² center dedicated to laboratory teaching and collaborative engineering research projects with industry partners. It is home to the Advanced Technologies Lab, the Environmental Lab, the Geotechnical Lab, the Transportation Lab and the Fluid Lab, among others.

From an academic advancement perspective, the MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, MS in Computer Engineering, MS in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, and MS in Mechanical Engineering are all skewed toward research, where students are required to produce high-quality papers for publication in a peer-reviewed indexed journal before they graduate.

This gives them a head start for postgraduate studies or a career in academic and applied research, as they can choose to be part of the school’s research clusters, depending on their area of interest.

On March 15, more that 50 interested undergraduate seniors and engineers toured the ELRC and explored the different programs at the SOE Graduate Open House, where they learned about research and funding opportunities to help cover their tuition costs at LAU.

Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Dani Tannir noted that LAU scholarships and graduate assistantships can help cover up to 100 percent of tuition. Furthermore, graduate students have the opportunity to work as instructors for undergraduate lab courses, giving them the chance to gain valuable teaching experience alongside the additional financial support that they will receive. 

Undergraduate and graduate research, added Professor and Director of Research and Graduate Programs at the SOE Chadi Abou Rjeily, is at the core of the school’s strategic vision. “Attracting talented students is a mutually enriching endeavor that contributes to advancing students’ academic and professional growth while strengthening the development of research groups and clusters within the school,” he said.

To learn more, visit soe.lau.edu.lb.