LAU’s School of Engineering (SOE) welcomed 56 engineering students from universities across Lebanon at the Byblos campus on June 3, 2026, for the first stage of the Synopsys International Microelectronics Olympiad, an annual competition that challenges participants in integrated circuit design, semiconductor technology, and electronic design automation (EDA).

Hosted by LAU for the third consecutive year, the Olympiad brought together students eager to test their skills, compete for cash prizes, and qualify to represent Lebanon on the international stage. The competition drew participants from a dozen universities across the country, as microelectronics and circuit design gain popularity among Lebanon’s engineering students.

Addressing participants during the ceremony, SOE Dean Michel Khoury commended the students for embracing the challenge and investing effort beyond coursework.

“This competition is not only a test of knowledge, but an opportunity to challenge yourselves and push your limits,” said Dr. Khoury. “Whether you win or not, what matters most is that you competed, learned, and are prepared to represent the talent of future Lebanese engineers on an international stage.”

Organized by SOE Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Dani Tannir in partnership with Synopsys and with support from Silicon Cedars, the event highlighted the power of collaboration between academia and industry to advance Lebanon’s microelectronics ecosystem.

At the ceremony, Silicon Cedars CEO Paul Tauk underscored the importance of such partnerships in cultivating the next generation of hardware engineers and expanding opportunities for students in the field.

The results demonstrated the growing strength of engineering talent in Lebanon. According to Dr. Tannir, this year’s cohort delivered the strongest performance yet, with the top scorers achieving near-perfect results and several students finishing just one point behind the winners.

First place and the $2,000 prize went to Nathalie Jouljian, a third-year electrical engineering student at LAU, who will represent Lebanon at the international stage of the competition in Armenia. Mouaz Amoud, a second-year computer engineering student at LAU, earned second place and a $1,000 prize, while Tarek Bshinnati, an electrical and computer engineering student at the American University of Beirut (AUB), placed third and received a $500 prize.

Five additional students earned honorable mentions, having finished just one point shy of the podium: Ghady Abu Rached (Computer Engineering, LAU), Ali Badran (Computer Engineering, LAU), William Chalhoub (Electrical and Computer Engineering, AUB), Razan Mokdad (Computer Engineering, Maaref University), and Mahdi Zein Al Dine (Mechatronics Engineering, LAU).

Reflecting on her win, Jouljian said she was honored to represent Lebanon internationally and credited LAU with preparing her to take on challenges such as the Olympiad.

“I’m incredibly proud to have won this opportunity,” she said. “The support and guidance I’ve received from my instructors have given me the confidence to take on challenges like this, and I’m excited to see where this experience will take me as an engineer.”

For Amoud, the Olympiad offered more than recognition. Participating in his first engineering competition helped shape his future ambitions.

“It’s making me consider a specialization in hardware engineering,” he said, noting how the event had opened his eyes to new possibilities within the field.

With Jouljian set to represent Lebanon in Armenia, this year’s Olympiad highlighted the impact of sustained collaboration between academia and industry. With four LAU students among the top eight performers—including the first- and second-place winners—the results also underscored the SOE’s commitment to equipping students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and industry exposure needed to excel in a rapidly evolving field.