AUS Chemical and Biological Engineering Boot Camp sparks students’ passion and unleashes engineering potential

The recently concluded three-day Chemical and Biological Engineering Boot Camp, held at the cutting-edge facilities of American University of Sharjah (AUS), brought together 35 students from 20 schools across the UAE, immersing them in an extraordinary and transformative experience in the dynamic field of chemical and biological engineering to gain a deeper understanding of the field's boundless possibilities.

"The Chemical and Biological Engineering Boot Camp has been an exceptional opportunity for students to engage with the field and witness its potential. Seeing the students' enthusiasm and their desire to contribute to future advancements is truly inspiring," said Dr. Sameer Al-Asheh, Professor and Head of the AUS Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Participants were immersed in a diverse range of enriching activities, including hands-on experiments and visits to AUS' state-of-the-art chemical and biological engineering labs. The boot camp featured engaging demonstrations of crucial processes such as the pump station and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit, giving students a firsthand experience of these transformative technologies. 

Participating students synthesized chemical and biological engineering products through hands-on experiments. From learning about raw materials and production processes to creating products like soap and hydrogel beads for drug encapsulation, participants gained practical skills and a deeper understanding of the field's diverse applications. Other  experiments explored the adsorption of dyes on activated charcoal. Students also gained hands-on training in operating cooling towers, size reduction techniques and distillation.

"This boot camp was an amazing experience to make new friends, learn new things, and I really recommend it to other students," said Orob Al Khateeb from the International Community School, Abu Dhabi.

Rawan Hosameldin from Victoria English School, Sharjah, expressed her fascination with the field, saying: "I found that chemical and biological engineering was a very vast and versatile field where one can explore their passions. Furthermore, I believe that, as a chemical engineer, you can contribute to improvements in the future."

AUS is ranked among the top three in the UAE and top ​400 universities globally for ​chemical ​engineering, according to QS World University Subject Rankings (2023​). The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers students the opportunity to pursue specialized studies in vital areas such as petroleum engineering, renewable energy, environmental and water engineering, engineering management and biomedical engineering. AUS remains committed to nurturing the next generation of engineers and scientists, providing them with the tools and knowledge to contribute to advancements in the field of chemical and biological engineering.

To learn more about the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, please visit www.aus.edu/cen/department-of-chemical-and-biological-engineering.