On December 19, 2022, the Faculty of Engineering (FE) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) celebrated its enduring success with a gala dinner at the Main Campus for obtaining the reaccreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a follow-up to the FE’s initial certification in 2016. Present at the gala were NDU President, Fr. Bechara Khoury, the Director of Research and Development at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) and Guest Speaker of the evening, Dr. Walter Eevers, Dean of the FE, Dr. Jacques Harb, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Ziyad Baroud, Vice Presidents, Deans, Faculty members, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).
Dr. Harb opened the event with a heartfelt welcoming statement, acknowledging the FE’s faculty and staff for their exceptional work in making the FE what it is today: a school of engineering that is worthy of its students, who, with this stamp from ABET, are going to be among the most sought-after graduates in the field. A round of applause was given to the FE committee responsible for securing the reaccreditation, after which Dr. Harb introduced and welcomed Fr. Khoury to the stage.
The Father President thanked the guests for their continued support of the University and its mission to deliver the highest standards of education, rearing capable and adept youth dedicated to societal improvement. “Accreditation is a sign of confidence, of trust,” said Fr. Khoury. “It is because we believe in what we have to offer that we attracted the attention of ABET and other accreditation bodies.” He referred to NDU’s legacy as evidential of a quality and invaluable institution, receiving the ABET reaccreditation only a launching pad for greater things to come. Fr. Khoury’s conclusion: “Our youth are deserving of our most precious resources, in order that we may provide them with a country uncompromised by corrupt thought, whatever the circumstances may be.”
As a nod to the role of education in building a better future, Dr. Eevers presented his talk, “A European Research View on Sustainable Engineering,” covering the intersection of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the engineering sector. “Promoting and realizing the SDGs, I have noticed, has always begun with the younger generations,” explained Dr. Eevers. “Universities and institutions must collaborate on a national and international level, the relationship between NDU and VITO being an example, to educate the youth and inspire their creativity in a cross-disciplinary way to address the issue of sustainability to protect our planet and humanity at large.”
The ABET reaccreditation opens the door for FE graduates to enroll in engineering societies and organizations of the highest caliber, facilitating their employability and mobility in the job market. Dr. Harb spoke of the current majors accredited by ABET at the Faculty: Mechanical, Computer and Communication, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. “Our next step at the FE is to undergo the accreditation process for the newly-born Petroleum and Chemical Engineering programs,” the Dean said, with plans to develop an Agricultural Engineering program already underway, an addition to surely increase the University’s efforts towards the sustainability cause.
Fr. Khoury presented the FE with a Certificate of Recognition for the outstanding work in obtaining the ABET reaccreditation, the Faculty’s success an indicator of NDU’s commitment to providing quality curricula that empower future generations to fight for the greater good.