Sharjah, Thursday, March 29, 2012

In its commitment to provide engineering students and industry practioners the latest knowledge in technology advancements, American University of Sharjah (AUS) opened the 2012 Symposium for Buildings, Bridges and Geotechnical Engineering today, Thursday, March 29, in the AUS Main Building. The symposium will continue on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, 2012.

The symposium will feature technical sessions related to structural engineering and geotechnical engineering, providing both theoretical and practical approaches. The use of finite element methods will also be introduced in conjunction with critical aspects to be integrated in the design of tall buildings, segmental bridges and foundation design for such structures.

Attendees will learn about advances in engineering tall buildings, segmental bridges and foundation design reflecting construction sequence. A new approach to foundation design reflecting soil-structure interaction will be emphasized. In addition to learning specific engineering methods for individual disciplines, structural engineers will learn the practice of geotechnical engineers and vice versa for geotechnical engineers through formal interactions.

Several renowned international speakers from the Unites States and Canada with varied academic and industry experience will share their knowledge on buildings, bridges and geotechnical matters in engineering. 

"We are very excited to host this event and strongly believe that it will greatly enhance the knowledge base of engineering students and practitioners in the industry," said Rami Mahfouz, Outreach Manager for the Engineering Outreach Program at AUS. 

MIDAS Information Technology Company, a software development company that specializes in civil, structural and mechanical engineering software development as well as analysis and design support, will showcase for the first time in the UAE the capabilities of its software in addressing design and build issues that engineers may come across during the project lifecycle. MIDAS is a platinum sponsor for the event.

"Having such collaborations with leading companies such as Midas will not only provide the tools to prepare our students for successful careers but also open various venues of collaboration with engineering firms and engineers," said Dr. Yousef Al-Assaf, Dean of the College of Engineering. "AUS would like to play a major role in supporting engineers in the UAE and this symposium is one of the activities to achieve that goal."

"By all of us collaborating together-- that is MIDAS, Society of Engineers in the UAE and American University of Sharjah--we are assisting engineers in enhancing their skills and competence. Mastering the most up-to-date tools and software gives the participants a competitive edge in the current economic setup," said Dr. Mohammad AlHamaydeh, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at AUS.

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About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 25 majors and 52 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business and Management. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS has full approval in the United States by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. AUS is also accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and all undergraduate and graduate programs are recognized by the ministry. All six of the bachelor's degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, http://www.abet.org, of the United States. The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) as well as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees offered by the School of Business and Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

For more information, please contact:
Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu

© Press Release 2012