Advisory Board

The Advisory Board was established with the purpose of advancing the department's mission to engage students in a thorough investigation of the concepts and principles that underpin contemporary and forecast future technologies. By providing guidance on program development, the board plays a critical role in shaping the department's strategic direction; its focus on promoting rigorous exploration ensures that students are well equipped to navigate the constantly evolving landscape of digital technologies.

Advisory Board Members:

Elie Mouchrik is an experienced engineering leader with a diverse background in software development and team management. With 17 years of experience, including 10 years in management, Elie has had the privilege of leading and managing a team of 100 engineers, fostering a collaborative culture and emphasizing timely delivery. Elie has gained valuable insights through building Lean software teams and implementing industry best practices, resulting in the successful delivery of high-quality solutions. Currently serving as the Director of Software Development at Cardinal Health, Elie remains committed to empowering engineers, optimizing processes, and striving for impactful results in the ever-field of software engineering.

Evangello Flouty received his master's degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the University of Edinburgh. Afterwards,  Evangello moved back to Beirut and started his first software engineering experiences. He moved to London two years later to start his career in Machine Learning (ML) at Digital Surgery, a medical tech start up later acquired by Medtronic. Over a period of five years, Evangello was a research engineer specializing in medical data and computer assisted surgical and medical interventions. He developed and maintained projects of the like of surgical workflow analysis, surgical tool detection, data anonymization, and others. He also published and presented some of his works in top surgical AI conferences and journals. During his time at Medtronic, he additionally contributed to MLOps and cloud computing, reinforcing his knowledge and expertise around deployment of ML solutions and products in production at scale. He later joined a consultancy start-up in London, as Tech lead. Soon after, he became head of department before moving to Canopy, a joint venture between Ford and ADT, building the next generation of automotive security products in London, UK.

Louis Hannem has over 30 years of Information Technology experience in the government, healthcare, post-secondary education, air transportation and communications sectors. His passion is for advancing information technology in the Healthcare and Post-Secondary sectors. Most recently, Louis was the Chief Information Officer for Cape Breton University (CBU) where he led an Enterprise IT modernization effort to update the information technology within the University to meet student, faculty and administrative needs of a growing university. Louis represented CBU at the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers (CUCCIO) and the Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks Nova Scotia (ACORN-NS) where he served a Treasurer. Louis studied Computer Science at Dalhousie University and has a Masters of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University. He also holds several professional designations including Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ-OE), Project Management Professional (PMP) and is currently working towards a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Mohamad Jaber is a Tech Lead (Senior Software Engineer) at Google Maps, where he works on Logging and Analytics. Prior to joining Google Maps in October 2020, he spent over a year as a Software Engineer at YouTube Engineering Productivity. He also has a background in academia, having served as an Associate Professor at AUB from 2012 to 2019, where his research focused on Distributed Systems, Software Engineering and Verification, and Big Data Processing. Mohamad earned his PhD from Grenoble University / VERIMAG Laboratory, France in 2010, and holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Grenoble University, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the Lebanese University. He has also completed Postdoctoral fellowships at VERIMAG and TIMA Laboratories in Grenoble, and has conducted research at numerous institutions around the world, including EPFL, Microsoft Research, and Vanderbilt University. Mohamad transitioned from academia to industry in January 2019, and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at Google.

Active Learning and Outcome-Based Education

All our classrooms are designed for student engagement, and our faculty members are trained in active learning pedagogies. Through active learning and engagement, students take ownership of their education, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and teamwork.
At SGUB, we prioritize outcome-based education and assessment. By defining clear learning outcomes in every course and for the program, we provide the platform for the development of crucial competencies for each individual student. Students can also use the learning outcomes assessments as vehicles to drive their own growth.

Student Learning Outcomes (General Education):

• Communicate orally to diverse target audiences in different formats: one-on-one and presentations.
• Write clearly, concisely, and coherently using writing styles that include narrative, analytical, persuasive, and expository.
• Work effectively in a team environment to achieve common goals.
• Analyze critically information to solve problems or generate plausible models.
• Discuss the major questions, concepts, theories, traditions, and techniques of humanistic enquiry and develop intellectual self-reliance, and self-confidence.

Student Learning Outcomes (Information Technology):

• Analyze computing problems and generate solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and risks and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Use systemic approaches to select, develop, apply, integrate, and administer secure computing technologies to accomplish user goals.
• Demonstrate how cybersecurity issues affect decision in IT design and implementations and recognize how to deal with the risks.
• Apply concepts from relevant disciplines to produce computing solutions.

Student Learning Outcomes (Artificial Intelligence):

• Illustrate a deep understanding of artificial intelligence concepts, theories, algorithms, and methodologies. (Comprehensive Understanding)
• Analyze complex problems and apply artificial intelligence techniques and algorithms to develop innovative solutions. (Problem-solving)
• Apply the principles and techniques of machine learning, including supervised and unsupervised learning and reinforcement learning. (Machine Learning)
• Apply the principles and techniques of deep learning, including neural networks, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and generative adversarial networks (GANs). (Deep Learning)
• Preprocess and analyze large datasets, extract meaningful insights, and make informed decisions based on data-driven approaches. (Data Analysis and Interpretation)

Faculty Members:

Our department boasts a talented and diverse group of faculty members who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom, creating an engaging and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Our faculty members are actively engaged in research and industry collaborations, ensuring that our curriculum remains at the forefront of technological advancements. Through integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application, our faculty members foster innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among our students.

Internships:

Internships offer a unique experiential learning opportunity, allowing students to test their skills, explore their interests, and gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field. The hands-on experience gained during internships enhances students' resumes, creates for students a network of professionals, and provides them with a competitive edge in the job market upon graduation.

Seminar and Webinar Series:

We foster a culture of continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in computer science/information technology and artificial intelligence. To achieve this, we organize regular seminar and/or webinar series featuring renowned experts and industry leaders in the field. These seminars and webinars not only provide valuable insights and knowledge, they also encourage interaction and engagement among participants. Students, faculty members, SGUB personnel, members of the community, and professionals from around the world join these seminars and webinars, expanding their knowledge and connecting with experts in the field.

Student Development Opportunities

Our department offers several unique and innovative mechanisms to develop students beyond their curricula.

Undergraduate Research Assistantships:

As part of our commitment to fostering a research-driven environment, we offer research assistantship opportunities to motivated undergraduate students. Research assistants work closely with faculty members on cutting-edge research projects, contributing to advancements in the field. This hands-on experience allows students to develop research skills, gain exposure to state-of-the-art methodologies, and collaborate with leading researchers. Research assistantships enhance students' academic portfolios and are potential avenues for peer-reviewed publication.

Undergraduate Student Mentoring:

Our peer-mentoring program provides students with the opportunity to receive additional assistance and guidance from their fellow students who have excelled in their courses. Peer mentors are carefully selected based on their academic achievements and teaching abilities; they provide personalized tutoring sessions, offer study tips and strategies, and help students build confidence in their understanding of the subject matter. Peer mentoring is a valuable resource that promotes collaborative learning and academic success among our students.
As a recognition of their commitment to supporting their peers, students who actively participate in Undergraduate Student Mentoring receive certificates of achievement from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. These certificates serve as a testament to their academic excellence and valuable contributions to the learning community.

Undergraduate Course Assistantships:

Undergraduate Course Assistants are selected based on their academic achievements and teaching abilities; they assist faculty members in delivering courses that the students had already taken and demonstrated proficiency. Undergraduate Course Assistants develop teaching and communication skills, and demonstrate a passion for fostering the growth of their fellow students.
As a recognition of their commitment, students who serve as Undergraduate Course Assistants receive certificates of achievement from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. These certificates serve as a testament their academic excellence and valuable contributions to the learning community.

Student Life

Learning extends beyond the classroom, and student life at our department reflects our commitment to holistic development. Students can participate in various clubs and events. These opportunities foster collaboration, leadership, and personal growth, while also building a strong sense of community among students.

Facilities and Resources:

We provide state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support teaching, research, and innovation. Our well-equipped labs, state of the art classes, research clusters, and specialized equipment offer students and faculty members the tools they need to explore, experiment, and excel in their respective areas of interest.

Get in Touch:

If you have any questions, or would like more information about the programs and opportunities available, please do not hesitate to contact us at mkaram@sgub.edu.lb. Our dedicated team is here to assist you in any way we can.