School students test engineering skills in third Civil Engineering Mini Boot Camp at AUS

12 students from 10 schools around the UAE putting their engineering skills to the test at the third Civil Engineering Mini Boot Camp. Through hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations students explored computer-aided drafting, transportation simulation, geographic information systems, construction materials and geotechnical lab/wastewater treatment.

“The boot camp provided an opportunity for students to delve into the fascinating world of civil engineering, explore our state-of-the-art laboratories and gain valuable insights into various specialized branches of civil engineering," said Dr. Sameh El-Sayegh, Professor and Head of the AUS Department of Civil Engineering

The boot camp kicked off with an interactive presentation by Dr. Rami Hawileh, Professor in Civil Engineering and chair of the organizing committee, about the different disciplines in civil engineering, the role and importance of civil engineers in society.

A highlight of the day was a competition where students worked to build the tallest and most stable tower using BBQ sticks and marshmallows. The winners of this competition were Mesk Abduljaleel, Bedoor Alhamdany, Inaya Rafi and Maryam Mustafa Aldoori in first place; Maryam Shami, Nour Sherif, Shahd Al Nasri and Wedad Saleh in second place; and Guntas Singh, Hamzah Al-Omari, Rayane Boufarss and Muhammad Bin Asad in third place.

Maryam Mustafa, a student from Al Zuhour Private School, said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Civil Engineering Mini Boot Camp. It has been a wonderful journey of discovering the true essence of civil engineering, providing answers to many questions, and enjoying the competition. It has greatly aided me in determining my preferred engineering major. The competition was a fantastic way to assess our critical thinking and creativity, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.”

AUS is ranked number one (tied) in the UAE and among the top ​200 universities globally for civil and structural engineering according to QS World University Rankings (2023).

For more information about AUS Civil Engineering Program, visit: ww.aus.edu/cen/bsce.