High school students explore a multidisciplinary career in civil engineering at AUS boot camp

High school students learned about the multidisciplinary nature of the field of civil engineering in an informative boot camp held recently at American University of Sharjah (AUS).

Designed to help school students from grades 10 to 12 to gain new skills and learn more about what the field has to offer as they consider their future careers, the Civil Engineering Boot Camp let students explore specializations within the civil engineering discipline through collaborative group activities and competitions. Participants also enjoyed interactive and hands-on experiments in the Construction Materials and Structure Lab, Geotechnical Engineering Lab, Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Engineering Lab and Surveying Lab.

More than 40 students from 28 schools were selected out of 140 applicants. Students learned the principles of sustainability and explored the basics of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is used for creating and managing data during the design, construction, and operations process. Students also explored the basics of computer-aided drafting applications in civil engineering and enjoyed hands-on practice with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), virtual reality, open-channel hydraulics and wastewater treatment.

Dr. Sameh El-Sayegh, Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, welcomed the participating students, saying that the boot camp “is an opportunity to take advantage of and learn about the exciting world of civil engineering and the utilization of the latest technology in its various disciplines.”

Dr. Rami Hawileh, Professor in Civil Engineering and chair of the boot camp organizing committee, noted that the boot camp was a success. "The active participation of the students and the curiosity and interest they exhibited meant that we were successful in meeting the objectives of our camp. We have seen how excited the students were as they learned about the multidisciplinary nature of the field of civil engineering and competed in educational and fun mini projects. Our camp aimed to broaden students' horizons and give them a better understanding of the field. The feedback we got was fantastic and we look forward to holding this camp on a regular basis," he said. 

Zainab Habib, a grade 11 student at Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha, found the boot camp fundamental in changing her perceptions about civil engineering.. 

“This boot camp was so helpful in teaching us about the many areas of work in civil engineering and providing us with hands-on experience, which taught us a lot about what it’s like to be an engineer. This boot camp changed my perspective on civil engineering and showed me that it is not limited to construction. I am actually very interested in civil engineering now and might consider it in the future,” she said.

Leia Maher Al Dakkak, a grade 11 student at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School, said that the boot camp has made her consider a career in civil engineering. 

“After the boot camp, I went back to my parents and siblings and told them about civil engineering. Civil engineering is not just about constructing buildings, but involves different disciplines and is related to our daily lives. I learned that by studying civil engineering, I can explore more than one field, which is something I have always dreamt of doing. This camp guided me and was helpful. I hope to join more boot camps at AUS!" she said.

With the world population increasingly opting to live in cities, the impact of today’s urban areas will have on the people and planet of tomorrow is greater than in all of history, making the work of civil engineers more important. Engineering solutions for a civilization that is changing rapidly takes knowledge and experience. At AUS, civil engineering students are intimately involved in innovation that will usher the world’s cities into the future.

The Department of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering at AUS offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering.

A recent QS World University Subject Rankings (2022) has ranked AUS number one in the UAE and among the top ​150 universities globally for civil and structural engineering. AUS engineering graduates have also been ranked as the top choice for employers in the UAE, according to QS World University Subject Rankings (2022).  

For more information about the opportunities offered by the Department of Civil Engineering, visit www.aus.edu/cen/department-of-civil-engineering.