National Tempus Office-Lebanon Higher Education Reform Experts Seminar on Students Services in Higher Education - Improving the Learning Environment Beirut Arab University (BAU) Debbieh, Lebanon, 28 November 2013 Prof. Soubhi Abou Chahine Dean of Students Affairs
BAU History - Private institution for higher education - Founded in 1960
Campuses Beirut Debbieh Tripoli Bekaa
Faculties Arts (1960) Law & P.SC. (1960) Commerce & B.A. (1961) Architectural Eng. (1962) Engineering (1975) Science (1976) Pharmacy (1986) Medicine (1995) Dentistry (1995) Health Sciences (2005)
Centers Academic Development and Quality Assurance Center Consultation Center Language Center Media Center Human Rights Center Entrepreneurship Center Research Center for Environment and Development International Relations Office Technical Office
Students Affairs Manage Hierarchy Registration Department
Summary of BAU strategic achievements (2007-2012) Students and Student Infrastructure Objectives Apply strict admission policies and Attract well-qualified students Retain currently enrolled students Achievements - Development of a wider marketing campaign at the university level - The rules governing the entrance exam are continuously revised and the entrance exam is prepared annually - Introduction of training / internships programs - Organization of annual Job Fair Establish extra-curricular activities Improve communications skills Enhance academic advising and guidance - Establishment of sport clubs and organization of sports tournaments - Home coming Events are organized - Some social events are established - More Intensive English language course have been added according to the English placement exam (four levels) - An elective course on entrepreneurship education is offered - Advise all faculty members to include a mini-project (report + presentation) in the course assessment tools. - Special seminars on advising services are offered to new students - Adoption of student contract sheets - An undergraduate student catalogue is provided Improve Financial aid criteria - Special scholarships are offered to top ranked students
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Admission: To attract a strong, enthusiastic and diverse body of students. Actions: Adopting new policies and procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate admission. Facilitating students mobility and cooperation. Providing scholarships for outstanding graduates. Maintaining the University s participation in students recruitment. Keeping the community updated with the significant achievements that the University has made in all levels, particularly in education. Introducing new and parallel programs. Improve student advising and counselling.
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Improving Academic and Student Services To maintain campus facilities and services. Actions: - Providing more appropriate laboratories and upgrading the existing equipment. - Enhancing canteen facilities for students and staff. - Improving supportive services for students. - Establishing common lounges, with facilities, for students. - Securing facilities for students with physical disabilities. - Directing the awareness of students towards the University services and methods for preserving them.
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Improving Academic and Student Services To provide outstanding services to library users. Actions: - Providing free access to journal websites. - Upgrading the already existing infrastructure. - Providing the libraries with updated books, periodicals and references. - Subscribing to more online data bases. - Improving the professional and personal skills of the library staff.
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Improving Academic and Student Services To enhance teaching and learning in an electronic environment. Actions: - Providing and updating the required software packages related to different fields offered by the University. - Enhancing internet services and providing Broad Band Internet for academic staff and students. - Creating an attractive web environment. - Improving portal (iconnect) services. - Introducing blended learning.
Improving Academic and Student Services To effectively coordinate the management services. Actions: - Training the supportive staff in academic and students services to meet the needs of the whole University. - Allocating disability officers and ongoing training for academic and non-academic staff. - Reviewing and developing the University s provision of services for student health, wellbeing and welfare. - Evaluating continuously the students satisfaction with the services offered by BAU. - Establishing a Psycho-Social Office. Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018)
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Providing a Rich University Life for all Students To enable students to enjoy a full university experience. Actions: - Allocating time for student engagement in different activities (such as sports, cultural activities, off campus games and leagues, donation campaigns, etc...). - Maintaining the health status and well-being of students including disabled students. - Embracing students talents and encouraging them to practice their hobbies. - Organizing national and international youth festivals and events. - Enhancing the physical quotient and the physical abilities of students. - Providing opportunities for students to participate in international events and debates. - Stimulating the participation of students in extracurricular activities. - Promoting student clubs/activities.
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Providing a Rich University Life for all Students To support the community building efforts of student leaders. Actions: - Organizing different social and cultural activities. - Fostering student participation in the community s social issues. - Developing relationships between University students and community sectors. - Deepening the concepts of fairness and equality, effective citizenship and Student leadership. - Training students in social responsibilities.
Strengthening Alumni and Friends Network To reinforce the impact of alumni and friends in career guidance. Actions: Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) - Improving the services offered by the Alumni Affairs and Career Office. - Supporting graduates to form lobbies such as alumni associations or communities in Lebanon and abroad. - Supporting graduates morally, culturally and socially to develop their potentials. - Relaying job vacancies to students on regular basis. - Promoting continuous education program for graduates. - Stimulating graduates cooperation to find suitable jobs for new graduates. - Promoting the annual job fair.
Students Services BAU Strategy (2013-2018) Enhancing International Relations To facilitate the international staff and student mobility. Actions: - Facilitating international student mobility. - Supporting the exchange of international staff. - Facilitating the procedures for credit transfer.
Students Activities Providing services that enhance the student experience. Developing valuable leadership and interpersonal skills. Embracing the arts and artistic expression. Supporting the community-building efforts of student leaders. Celebrating diversity. Value personal wellness. Encouraging effective citizenship. Implementing positive programs and events that allow to enjoy the full collegiate experience
Students Services BAU Best Practices Beirut Campus Debbieh Campus Tripoli Campus
Student Activities Department Towards Enhancing Student s Life Student Focused Integrity Embracing Diversity Collaboration Respect Adventure SAD encourages Leadership Development through practical experience.
Beirut Campus Artistic Clubs Drama Club Music Club Modern Dance Folk Dance End of the Academic Year 2012-2013 Drama, Music, Dance Shows
Social & Cultural Events Recycling Day with Magi Bou Ghson BAU Lifestyle 2013 Home coming Event BAU Lifestyle Donation Campaigns Summer Camp Annual Gala Dinner Summer Camp 2012
Workshops and lecture were conducted Social Media Personal Development Programs Internship Programs How to fill a CV Interviewing Skills
Social & Cultural Clubs Environmental Protection Club Scouts Red Cross Club Aie Serve Entrepreneur Club
Sports Activities Archery club Basketball team Football team Handball team Mauy Thai Ping pong team Swimming team Thai boxing team Volleyball team 95 sports events have been organized and attended with different Lebanese Universities and clubs at Beirut Campus during the academic year 2012-2013
Tripoli Campus Tournaments: In BAU (Tripoli branch) many tournaments has been organized such as : 1.streetball basketball. 2.table tennis. 3.football. 4.volleyball. 5.billiard. 6.chess. Photography Club TEDx BAU club Open Day Music Club Environmental Protection Club
Debbieh Campus 9 cultural and social activities have been organized at Debbieh Campus during the academic year 2012 2013 (Theatre, Kermis, Music Concert, Workshops, Open Day, Environmental Day) 73 sports events have been organized with different Lebanese universities and clubs at Debbieh Campus during the academic year 2012-2013
Thank You for your Kind Attention