The American University of Science and Technology (AUST; ) is a private, non-sectarian, and co-educational American university in Lebanon.
The university was established in 1989 in Beirut, under the name American Universal College, by Decree No. 4897 as an External Degree Program of the State University of New York's Empire State College. In 2000, it became a private, non-sectarian, and co-educational institution of higher learning licensed by the Lebanese Presidential Decree No. 3585. In 2007, it was licensed as "The American University of Science and Technology" by the Lebanese Governmental Decree No. 677.
AUST offers programs and degrees for business, economics, art, engineering, and sciences, including health sciences. As of March 2019, it has four campuses located in Beirut, Aley, Sidon, and Zahlé. With the establishment of a French-speaking department, the university promotes trilingualism in English, French, and Arabic, and fosters a corresponding cultural environment.
The American University of Science and Technology was founded in 1989 as an external degree program of the State University of New York through its School for Graduate Studies, Empire State College. It was founded through Decree No. 4897 under the name American Universal College by Dr. Hiam Sakr on Alfred Naccache Street in Beirut. The institution changed its name to the American University of Science and Technology on March 21, 1994. On August 7, 2000, it became a private, non-sectarian, and co-educational institution of higher learning licensed by the Lebanese Presidential Decree Number 3585. In 2007, the institute was licensed as a university by Lebanese Governmental Decree Number 677. Boutros Harb was elected head of the board of directors of the university.
The university offers both undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees in most departments. It offers instruction in both English and French.
The American University of Science and Technology has four campuses across Lebanon. The Main campus is located in the Ashrafieh area of Beirut, Lebanon. The Zahlé campus is located on Mouallaka Avenue in Bekaa, East Lebanon. The Sidon campus is located at Sidon's northern entrance, Nazih Bizri Boulevard, South Lebanon. The Bhamdoun campus is located in Mount Lebanon.
On October 11, 2010, the university held a commemorative ceremony, during which poet Said Akl unveiled his statue "Garden of Genius" at the university campus in Beirut. The event was held in the presence of many dignitaries, literary figures, religious leaders, politicians, and diplomats.<br />
As of March 31, 2011, the Faculty of Business and Economics received the accreditation of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education for its business programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor's degree of Science in Business Administration.
On September 7, 2016, the Faculty of Science received the accreditation of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc (ABET) for its Engineering and Computer Science programs.
The faculty of arts and sciences consists of seven academic departments. These include fashion design, interior design, and graphic design.
The faculty of business and economics offers programs leading to a bachelor's degree in the following fields of specialization: accounting, economics, finance, hospitality management, management, management information systems, marketing, travel and tourism management, and marketing and advertising. In addition, the Faculty offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the following fields of concentration: accounting, economics, finance, management, hospitality management, management information systems, and marketing.
AUST has also decided to participate in the development and increase of biotechnology in Lebanon and the Middle East region by creating the Department of Laboratory Science and Technology. The department offers two biotechnology tracks: the Clinical Laboratory Science and Optics and Optometry. In both tracks, the student will enroll in a BS program followed by an optional year of a specialty program.
The faculty of engineering offers programs in Biomedical Engineering, Computer & Commnications Engineering, and Mechatronics Engineering. They plan to collaborate with national and international academic institutions and companies in its pursuit of excellence. It works with the EAC ABET Committee.
The university has more than 33 affiliations with other universities. These affiliations enable their students to transfer credits, follow similar academic curriculums, and ensure consistent technical training standards. In 2018, AUST received an institutional accreditation from Evalag (Evaluation Agency of Baden-Württemberg), a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. The university's affiliations include:
North America
Europe
Europe
Asia
Africa
Applications for admission to AUST must be submitted before the end of September for admission to the Fall semester, before the end of January for admission to the Spring semester, and before the end of June for admission to the Summer session.
The AUST sport activities office gives students the opportunity to socialize, organize events, and work in teams.
The Student Life council reviews all requests for student activities by the various student clubs.
The AUST clubs, in 2015, include, but are not limited to the following clubs:
During each graduation ceremony, the university awards degrees in ad honorem to distinguished personalities for their contributions to a specific field or to society in general. The following is a list of Lebanese, Arab, and international personalities that the American University of Science and Technology has recognized with doctorates:
American University of Science and Technology's list of notable alumni includes: