ISSUE AUST and CME Offshore Sign a Partnership Agreement

ISSUE
#187
4/3/2015
AUST and CME Offshore Sign a Partnership Agreement
The Signing of the Agreement
From left to right: Dean Attieh, Dean Abu-Faraj, Mr. Abou-Rjeily, Provost Haidar, President Sakr, Mr. Youssef, Mrs. Renno, VP Sakr, Dean Barbar, and Dean Hejase
On Thursday 26th of February, AUST President Hiam Sakr signed a Collaboration
Agreement with Clifton Myers Enterprises (CME) Offshore s.a.l. in the presence of
Provost Dr. Nabil Haidar, VPs Amer and Riad Sakr, and Deans of the four faculties,
namely Dr. Aziz Barbar - Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Hussein Hejase - Faculty of
Business and Economics; Dr. Ziad Abu-Faraj - Faculty of Engineering; and, Dr. Zouheir
Attieh - Faculty of Health Sciences. CME was represented by Mr. Wissam Youssef CEO, Mr. Jean Abou-Rjeily - Co-founder, and Mrs. Petina Renno - HR Manager.
This Agreement aims to develop privileged relation between the two parties with respect
to their field of expertise. More particularly, the Agreement allows to:
• Set AUST as a major partner with the students in the world of national and
international business.
• Facilitate the exchange of the expertise of teachers and students of AUST in the
fields of Computing and Communications.
• Promote professional insertion of students in training sessions, internships,
workshops, senior projects, and seminars based on the market needs.
• Give CME Offshore the opportunity to hire computer science graduates and other
graduates from AUST, with the help of the University’s administration.
• Co-organize competitions for AUST students based on the company’s needs, and
offer rewards to the winning teams.
• Send job offers to distinguished students before their graduation.
• Give seminars and lectures at AUST on technical subjects useful for the professional
students’ career.
After signing the Collaboration Agreement, CME Offshore team was given a tour of the
different facilities at AUST; this was followed by a luncheon at the President’s quarters.
It is worth noting that CME Offshore is known as a pioneering company with international
dimensions in the fields of technology and mobile applications. CME employs over 1000
employees in Lebanon (Beirut and Batroun), USA, China, Argentina, and India. For more
information, you can visit http://gotocme.com.
On February 24th, 2015, the American University of Science and Technology (AUST)
held in coordination with the Embassy of Mexico in Lebanon, a Mexican Cultural Day.
The day started with a lecture given by the Mexican Ambassador to Lebanon, His
Excellency Khame Garcia Amaral, to International Affairs students. This was followed
by the opening of the exhibition at 11 A.M. in the Lobby Area of Block B. The opening
speech was given by Ms. Majida Dagher, the representative of the Press and Media
Office. This was followed by a welcoming speech by the President of AUST, Mrs.
Hiam Sakr, who thanked His Excellency for his valuable visit. H.E. Amaral then
addressed the attendees, providing insight on the Mexican culture, traditions and
folklore, which was essentially the aim of this event. Vice President Riad Sakr, along
with a number of chairpersons, instructors and students of the Faculty of Arts and
Sciences were present to participate in the Mexican Day. The event included a tour
around the lobby, where Mexican oil paintings and sculptures were set up. A shortmovie on Mexico was shown, and a Salsa dance was performed by Ms. Anna Shiha
and Mr. Flaco Rokhas. This was followed by a food tasting of the Mexican cuisine
prepared by AUST’s chefs.
This event was a part of AUST’s series of cultural events, which have previously
included Chinese, Ethiopian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Colombian cultural days.
The core objective of such experiences is to expose the students of AUST to the
importance of embracing different civilizations.
Under the Patronage and the Presence of the Mexican Ambassador
in Lebanon, AUST Holds “Mexican Cultural Day”
H.E. Khame Garcia Amaral
A group picture of the deans, chairpersons, and faculty with H.E. Amaral, President Sakr, and VP R. Sakr
President Hiam Sakr
CAMPUS NEWS
Snapshots from the “Mexican Cultural Day” at AUST
H.E. Amaral, President Sakr, and VP R. Sakr cutting the ribbon
Snapshots of the Salsa Dance
Students sampling the Mexican cuisine
Optics and Optometry Department Holds First Optometric Forum
on Prevalent Ocular Diseases
Dr. Joanne Nassar
The OAO Department held its First Optometric Forum entitled “Prevalent Ocular
Diseases” on Thursday, February 26th, 2015. Chairperson of the OAO Department, Dr.
Joanne Nassar, started the forum by thanking the Executive Council for their unwavering
support, and then welcomed the attendees among, who were the following: The Syndicate
President Mr. George Hawatt and Vice President Mr. Ahmad Sherry, the Chairperson
of Optics and Optometry Department at the Lebanese University, Dr. Roger Choueiri,
several optometric heads from several organizations, faculty members and students.
The guest lecturer was Dr. Johnny Khoury, M.D., who has discussed ocular conditions
that may be affecting the entire segment of the population. The symposium was
extremely important since it covered and highlighted a number of silent diseases that
Dr. Johnny Khoury
affect vision, such as refractive errors, dry eyes, cataracts, macular degeneration and
refractive surgery; topics that concern the general public and professionals.
It is worth noting that Dr. Johnny Khoury is a Cornea, External Disease and Refractive
Surgery Fellow. He’s the Global Ambassador for refractive surgery wave-front technology
in the Middle East. He has over 11 publications, 5 book chapters, and has been part
of over 24 international meetings. The topics covered were about refractive errors, dry
eyes, cataracts, macular degeneration and refractive surgery.
Not only did the symposium bring together representatives from various academic and
business institutes; but it has also shed light on the importance of Optometric Education
and the level of education that our students are receiving.
AUST and Hanover Exchange Program Eyes Clinical Research
Dr. Attieh and Dr. Fortwengel at Hanover
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Medical Controlling, Medical Informatics and Clinical
Research are rapidly developing areas in the field of
Medical Information Management Systems (MIMS).
In a world of complex medical and clinical data, a
need is growing for specialties that can sift through
the plethora of test results and patients data to make
sense out of it. AUST has initiated a collaborative
project with the University of Applied Sciences in
Hanover, Germany, to develop a MIMS major at
AUST. The collaboration started last year with one
exchange student from Hanover spending one
semester at AUST and one AUST student attending
a summer school in Hanover, in June 2014. The
exchange was highly productive and this year three
Clinical Lab Science (CLS) students from AUST will
join the summer school in Hanover. This presents a
unique opportunity for students interested in taking
a close look at this field and get ready for advanced
studies in this major.
Dr. Zouhair Attieh, Dean of the Faculty of Health
Sciences, visited Hanover in January and met the
MIMS program director, Dr. Gerhard Fortwengel,
and discussed the prospects of joining efforts
between the two institutions to start this program
at AUST in the Fall of 2015-2016. In addition, Drs.
Fortwengel and Attieh discussed paths of research
collaboration on the analysis of the wealth of data
generated by the laboratories of Vice President
Amer Sakr, and the publication of the results in
reputable scientific journals.
CAMPUS NEWS
American University of Science and Technology
Russian Cultural Delegation visits AUST
Dr. Ahmetov amidst President Sakr, Dr. Masse, Chairperson of the International Affairs Department, Dr. Demesheva and the Russian Delegation
President Sakr presenting Dr. Ahmetov the plaque of appreciation
On the occasion of declaring 2015 as the year of the Russian book, an official
Russian delegation headed by Dr. Ahmetov, Director of the Russian Cultural Center
in Lebanon, and the Vice Director of the Russian Expatriate House Mr. Dominin,
visited AUST and met with President Sakr and offered AUST’s library a number
of Russian pedagogical and historical books that are helpful to students taking
Russian classes.
President Sakr thanked the Russian delegation for their visit and academic presents,
knowing that in Lebanon the delegation has only visited two universities. At the end
of the meeting, both sides agreed on further cooperation through affiliation and
exchange programs between AUST and known Russian universities.
State-of-the-Art Computer and Communications Engineering
Workshops at AUST
The Computer & Communications Engineering (CCE) program
at AUST represents a modern, world-class, competitive, and
well-developed curriculum in the field. This hybrid program
integrates computer engineering with communication systems
engineering with equal emphasis on theoretical and applied
education. A unique feature of the CCE program is that it
prepares the student to engage in research and development
projects in various areas of the field, targeted at providing
strategic solutions to contemporary technological problems.
To enhance its engineering education, the CCE Department
at AUST provides laboratories that are compatible with the
world’s standards and which furnish students with the needed
tools to hone their applied skills in the various areas of their
studies. The laboratories are:
1. Computer Laboratories
2. Communication Systems Laboratory
3. Control and Industrial Automation Laboratory
4. Digital and Microprocessors Laboratory
5. Circuits Analysis and Electronics Laboratory
6. Computer Networks Laboratory with CISCO systems
7. Virtual Instrumentation (LabVIEW)
8. Senior Capstone Project Laboratory
9. Engineering Tools (Matlab)
10. Engineering Workshop
The engineering workshop welcomes the students to do weekly
training during a semester, thus providing them with hands-on
experience related to mechanical and materials engineering.
The workshop trains the student on: i) Laboratory safety rules;
ii) various applications of engineering instrumentation; iii)
engineering drawing; iv) hand manufacturing of printed circuit
boards; v) fusion welding processes, resistance welding
and cutting; vi) machining processes used to produce round
shapes and holes (lathe and lathe operation); vii) drilling, drills
and drilling machines; viii) machining processes to produce
various shapes: milling and sawing; and, ix) production of
microelectronic devices.
The Department of Computer and Communications
Engineering also organizes at the end of every semester an
exposition for all the final laboratory projects. The students
of each laboratory are divided into groups; each group
then has to submit a poster presentation, a report, and the
implementation of the assigned project.
This idea was put into effect in order to help the students
master their presentations’ skills, to improve their English
communications skills, to learn how to submit a professional
report, and most importantly to be able as a Department to
manage and control the laboratories’ teaching and content’s
quality.
Jury members from the department and from outside AUST
are selected to evaluate these projects, based on their field of
expertize and the courses and labs assigned.
The benefits of similar events reflect the dedication of the
faculty members, the great efforts done by all students, and
most importantly, the Spirit of Engineering.
The London Guildhall, in collaboration with AUST, Organizes a Three-Day
Interactive Workshop on "Negotiation and Mediation Skill Building"
The London Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law in collaboration with the American
University of Technology (AUST) organized a professional three-day interactive workshop on
“Negotiation and Mediation Skill Building”. Rima Hage, an MBA student at AUST, was chosen
candidate by AUST’s President Mrs. Hiam Sakr to represent the university. This workshop was
conducted by Mr. William McKay, a solicitor of the senior courts of England and Wales, who is
accredited as an advocacy trainer and delivers in-house training to prestigious UK law firms.
A group of 42 persons, mostly lawyers and consultants,, attended the workshop. When Rima
was asked about the workshop, she described the event as follows:
“Since mediation is applicable to our daily lives, and since it is a very useful tool in solving
disputes, I found the experience enlightening and very beneficial. What was unique about
the workshop was the interactive method of presenting the material. Mr. McKay presented
the theory then handed out a related case about a certain dispute. He then asked us to
form groups and act out the role of the mediator and the parties in conflict to try to solve the
dilemma following the methods taught”. Rima continued:
“We ‘role played’ several cases. This was constructive and fun at the same time. The group
was homogeneous and I had the chance to meet several new people. During coffee breaks
and lunch, we had the opportunity to chat with Mr. McKay and discuss further issues about
mediation”.
At the end of the third day, each one participant got a certificate signed by the Associate Dean
of The London Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law. All MBA students are encouraged
to attend such workshops for the sake of their professional development and for the very
important benefits gained by building professional networks outside the university’s premises.
On this idea, Rima added: “I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the chance
to attend such an enriching workshop; I thank all those who helped in making it possible,
Dr. Hussin Hejase
especially Mrs. Hiam Sakr, our AUST’s President”.
For your comments, e-mail us at: austmidweek@aust.edu.lb
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CAMPUS NEWS
AUST Organizes an Open Day at Jdeideh’s Official School for Girls
As part of its annual orientation program, the Dean of Students and Admissions” Office
organized a visit to the Jdeideh Official School for Girls on Friday the 27th of February,
2015. Deans of faculties, Chairpersons and assistants of the various departments met
with around 350 students. The attendees weren’t only from the host school, but also
from others, such as the “Akhdar al-Sagheer School”, “Dekwaneh Official School”, and
“Sin al-Fil Official School”. The university’s representatives spoke about the different
departments and majors, gave out pamphlets, and provided consultation for interested
students. Students were also given bags including AUST’s brochures and pens.
Numerous baccalaureate students showed signs of interests in what the university has
to provide, and many applications were filled on-spot.
Les Universités à Paris et environs…
Paris, capitale de la France, chef-lieu d’Ile-de-France, mais
combien d’universités y-a-t-il sur Paris et sa banlieue?
On se sent un peu perdu lorsque l’on parle de Paris XII ou
Paris Assas ou encore Cergy-Pontoise...
A Paris il existe 13 universités qui sont numérotées de I
à XIII mais qui ont aussi un nom comme, par exemple,
Paris VII qui s’appelle aussi Paris Denis Diderot. En plus
de ces 13 établissements vous avez 4 universités qui font
partie de Paris mais en banlieue : Université de Marne-laVallée, Université de Cergy-Pontoise, Université d’EvryVal d’Essonne et l’Université de Versailles Saint-Quentinen-Yvelines. On se retrouve donc avec un total de 17
universités qui couvrent Paris. Chacune propose ses
spécialités mais, il faut bien le reconnaître, que plusieurs
facultés proposent les mêmes filières. C’est l’étudiant qui
évaluera le choix de l’établissement sur base de critères
sociaux, géographiques ou encore qualitatifs.
AUST Students Visit The Hague
Ms. Nourhan Berjawi at the Hague
Mr. Firas Ghaith at the Criminal Court
On February 2nd, 2015, International Affairs
student Nourhan Berjawi and Forensic
Science student Firas Ghaith arrived at the
Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands and
then headed to The Hague after having
been selected amongst the top twentyfive students during their enrollment in the
inter-university course on “International
Criminal Law and Procedure” organized by
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and
the T.M.C Asser Institute; an endeavor which
AUST encouraged.
On the first day of their cultural visit, AUST’s
representatives, along with students from
different Lebanese universities, got the
opportunity to visit the International Criminal
Court, where they got introduced to the court’s
history, mandate and structure. After that, the
students were guided on an audio tour of the
Peace Palace in the International Court of
Justice. On their second day, the students
visited the International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia; they attended a hearing
and met with representatives from different
compartments of the court. On February 5th,
the students arrived at the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, where they were welcomed by
Sir David Baragwanath, the President of the
Tribunal. They later met with representatives
from the registrar, the defense office, and
the chambers. February 6th marked the end
of the students’ visit - they were given the
chance to visit the T.M.C Asser Institute, and
were allowed to visit the STL again for a
tour of the court room and the public gallery,
assisted by Shakhnoza Abdullaeva of the
Court Management Services Section. Firas
and Nourhan were both impressed by their
experience at The Hague, during which they
engaged in law discussions and learned about
the genuine functions and tasks of international
law. Not only that, they were introduced to the
different aspects of the Dutch culture.
On February 7th, the students arrived
at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International
Airport, carrying with them an unforgettable
experience, which they hope and encourage
other students to participate in.
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L’AUST possède des accords avec l’Université de
Versailles depuis plusieurs années et désire se développer
vers d’autres établissements pour pouvoir proposer
aux étudiants des choix plus variés dans le cadre des
échanges. C’est pour cela que je me suis rendu à Paris
pour visiter quelques facultés qui pourraient correspondre
à nos attentes. J’ai eu l’occasion d’assister aux journées
portes ouvertes de trois universités, j’ai également
rencontré la vice-rectrice de l’Université de Nanterre –
Paris X, Madame Sylvaine Hugues. Nous avons eu une
réunion très intéressante qui devrait aboutir à des accords
bilatéraux qui seront signés prochainement. L’AUST a
une section française et nous faisons tout pour que les
étudiants se sentent soutenus et qu’ils puissent satisfaire
leur choix d’orientation. Les échanges internationaux
participent à ce développement.
La section française existe et elle existe bien.
AUST's Communication Arts
Department Hosts Consumer
Brand Protection Exhibition
The Communication Arts Department hosted an exhibition
on Consumer Brand Protection that was held at the Lobby
area of Block B, and featured
projects ranging from software
to typography, sketches and
illustration and art direction;
projects that reflected accuracy in their coverage and
originality.
Mrs. Joelle Chibli emphasized
the importance of accurate information and the role of conDr. Farha cutting the ribbon
sumers in pointing fingers to
the faults whenever the situation determined. She stressed
the importance of understanding of the issue and finding
ways to confront it through
complaint and legal action.
While Dr. G. Farha, Chairperson of the Communication
Arts Department, stated that,
“Food legislation had ensured
a minimum of standards of
food elaboration in an attempt
to ensure the safety of consumers in general.” He conSection of the exhibition
tinued: “Food poisoning is due
to improper preparation or storage. It is the talk of the town. While other countries have given
priorities to such an issue from remote ages, we cannot but wonder ‘Why all this delay in the Lebanese case?” Dr. Farha in his speech highlighted the importance of food legislation, whose objectives are: 1) Consumer Protection, 2) Manufacturer Protection, 3) Fair Competition Protection, and
4) Freedom of Choice to avoid monopoly
Dr. Farha explained how English law started to regulate the production and selling of consumer
products ever since 1266, and the law’s emphasize on both bread and beer, fixing their prices,
weight and quality. A fact that as a society we are called to work to attain.
UP TO DATE
American University of Science and Technology
Fiber: Is It The Answer?
Improving your diet often suggests a daunting
revamp of every food you eat, but changing
just one thing will help you lose weight and
get significantly healthier, finds a new study.
A group of researchers from the University
of Massachusetts Medical School zeroed in
on fiber, since previous studies have shown
it can help people feel more full, eat less and
improve some metabolic markers like blood
pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
They recruited 240 people who showed signs
of pre-diabetes and randomly assigned them to
the American Heart Association diet. The AHA
group focused on decreasing their daily calorie
intake in order to lose weight, and they were
provided with goals to limit saturated fat. The
fiber group was simply asked to eat more foods
rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and
whole grains, to reach a quota of at least 30
grams of fiber per day. Neither group was told
to change their exercise habits.
After a year, both groups lost about the same
amount of weight. Even more surprisingly, the
people in the study also showed similar drops
in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood
sugar and inflammation. “By changing one
thing, people in the fiber group were able to
improve their diet and lose weight and improve
their overall markers for metabolic syndrome,”
says study author Dr. Yunsheng Ma.The author
notes that while dietary guidelines to lower the
risk of various diseases have been around for
decades; obesity, heart problems and diabetes
remain the most common conditions affecting
patients. Asking them to focus on eating more
of a certain food—rather than telling them what
not to eat—may help people to think more
positively about changes in their diet, and make
the goals more achievable. From there, it might
be easier to make the other changes, such as
those included in the AHA diet. Adding fiber
might be one new idea for how to get people
to adhere to a diet, that’s the first step, and
perhaps most important, to eating healthier.
Snapchat eyes $19 billion valuation
He famously declined Facebook's offer to
buy the company for $3 billion in 2013. Now,
the ephemeral messaging startup could be
well on its way to a $19 billion valuation.
"Snapchat is seeking a fairly arbitrary
valuation of $19 billion, apparently
because that's the valuation WhatsApp
got from Facebook," said PrivCo CEO
Sam Hamadeh.
Hamadeh, who said he spoke to two
major VC firms that ultimately passed on
the deal, said there seems to be "enough
interest -- particularly from mutual funds,
hedge funds and foreign investors -- that
Snapchat will achieve its target valuation
or come close to it." Snapchat declined a
request for comment.
Los Angeles-based Snapchat, which
closed a $485 million round of funding in
December 2014, is currently valued at $10
billion, according to CB Insights. That's the
same as several other startup darlings:
Airbnb, Dropbox and Indian firm Flipkart.
If it achieves the eye-popping $19 billion,
its valuation will surpass that of SpaceX
and Palantir. It will become the third most
valuable tech company backed by VC
firms, behind Xiaomi ($46 billion) and Uber
($41.2 billion), according to CB Insights.
Six Reasons to Stop Drinking Diet Soda
When taken at face value, diet soda seems
like a health-conscious choice. It saves you
the 140-plus calories you'd find in a sugary
soft drink while still satisfying your urge for
something sweet with artificial sweeteners
like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose.
But there's more to this chemical cocktail
than meets the eye.
It Confuses Your Body
Artificial sweeteners have more intense
flavor than real sugar, so over time
products like diet soda dull our senses to
naturally sweet foods like fruit. Even more
troubling, these sugar stand-ins have been
shown to have the same effect on your
body as sugar.
Weight gain, Not Weight Loss.
Diet soda is calorie-free, but it won't
necessarily help you lose weight.
Researchers found that over the course
of about a decade, diet soda drinkers
had a 70% greater increase in waist
circumference compared with nondrinkers. Participants who slurped down
two or more sodas a day experienced a
500% greater increase.
The word "lifestyle" is used to describe a
way of life, a manner, a behavior or conduct
that an individual or a group of people
has when living and existing. A lifestyle is
characterized by vitality and energy since it
is closely connected with life itself. Not even
a windsurfer can have a lifestyle when he or
she is dead. However, lifestyle will forever be
a collection of intangible factors, too.
So why is it important if windsurfing is a
lifestyle or not? A lifestyle can be an important
way to establish a sense of self and a
personal identity that may be vital to building
blocks for good mental health and happiness.
In the best-case scenario, windsurfers do
get to sail regularly, which is a key criterion
for establishing a lifestyle. Windsurfers who
do not get to sail frequently may struggle to
consider windsurfing as a way of life. But
do windsurfers have a particular conduct/
etiquette that would add up to a lifestyle
structure?
"This is the hardest one to answer. There are
clear signs of a behavior that can be seen
through the common bond between sailors,
that they all want to have fun in the water
and try to spread that energy through their
manner, via words, expressions and gestures,
“considers Beyer, author of “Health & Fitness
for Windsurfing”
These behaviors are easily spotted when
beginners show signs of being hooked to
windsurfing. By adding the energy aspect
when we try to define windsurfing as a
lifestyle, it is blatantly obvious that windsurfing
is a sport characterized by vitality and energy.
It has no Nutritional Value
When you drink diet soda, you're not
taking in any calories—but you're also
not swallowing anything that does your
body any good, either. Best no-calorie
beverage? Plain old water. Water is
essential for many of our bodily processes,
so replacing it with diet soda is a negative
thing. If it's the fizziness you crave, try
sparkling water.
Sweetener Linked to Headaches
Early studies suggest that this artificial
sweetener may trigger headaches in some
people. Several consumers who used to
suffer from migraines, have pinpointed
their cause to diet soda,”
Associated with Depression
A recent study presented at a the American
Academy of Neurology meeting found that
over the course of 10 years, people who
drank more than four cups or cans of soda
a day were 30% more likely to develop
depression than those who steered clear
of sugary drinks. The correlation held
true for both regular and diet drinks, but
researchers were sure to note that the
risk appeared to be greater for those
who primarily drank diet sodas and fruit
punches.
Bad for the Bones
Women over 60 are already at a greater
risk for osteoporosis than men, and
researchers found that drinking soda,
including diet soda, compounds the
problem. They discovered that female
cola drinkers had nearly 4% lower bone
mineral density in their hips than women
who didn't drink soda. Additionally, a 2006
study published in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition found that cola intake (all
kinds, not just diet) was associated with
low bone-mineral density in women.
Is windsurfing a lifestyle?
All in all, windsurfing is likely to be a lifestyle
for sailors who get to sail frequently, feel the
power of the sport, share it with family and
friends, and connect with it. A sailor who
feels that windsurfing is a lifestyle certainly
does not have to be a competitive sailor.
"However, an example of a professional
windsurfer that is showing true characteristics
of representing windsurfing as a way of life
is Victor Fernandez Lopez. He continues to
share the stoke with vigorous energy and
always underlines the importance of having
fun," concludes Beyer.
"If we continue to highlight windsurfing as a
lifestyle many more sailors - young and old,
may enjoy its healthy way to establishing a
sense of self and personal identity."
Meet “Xiaomi”: The Apple of China
Xiaomi, the world's third largest smartphone maker (behind
Samsung and Apple), announced that it sold 61 million
smartphones in 2014, ranking in more than 74 billion yuan ($12
billion) in sales. Those aren't yet Apple numbers. Apple sold
118 million iPhones in the first nine months of 2014 alone. But
Xiaomi's come-out-of-nowhere feat was accomplished almost
exclusively in China, without the benefit of selling its "Mi" phones
to the rest of the world. Late last year, Xiaomi expanded to India,
Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Thailand and Turkey, and it will be in
additional countries later this year. The world's fastest-growing
smartphone maker forecast that it will sell 100 million devices
in 2015. Xiaomi is currently the world's most valuable startup
-- worth more than Uber, Airbnb or Pinterest.
Xiaomi's growth and popularity have sparked comparisons to
Apple. The company has also been accused of copying Apple's
style -- an allegation Xiaomi has brushed aside by saying it
strives for its products to be as high-quality as Apple's, but its Mi
phones function very differently from the iPhone.
Xiaomi is undeniably a stunning growth story. It opened its doors
in April 2010, and a year ago the company commanded just 2%
of the smartphone market. That has given the company a ton of
confidence.
"We are a company that the technology industry has never
seen before," said Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. "From now onwards,
every step we take is writing a new chapter in the history of the
industry."
Xiaomi's smartphone design has been praised by reviewers and
customers alike.
The company has partnered with and invested in 20 hardware
companies in an attempt to bring cheaper phones to market
faster than its competitors.
Xiaomi isn't Apple yet -- but it could be soon.
For your comments, e-mail us at: austmidweek@aust.edu.lb
5
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
AUST Sports Teams: A week of Winning
AUST Tennis Team: Road to the Cup
AUST Tennis team (Male) won 7 consecutive matches. Last week AUST won against
LAU Beirut and did beat them 2-1; and, on Saturday, February 28, 2015, AUST hosted
UOB and won 2-1.On Saturday, March 14, 2015, AUST will be playing against AUB at
18:00 at Spring Hills.
AUST Team: Amer Naoh and Mohamad Shammaa
Basketball (men) League: Wins against MUBS
AUST Basketball (men) team, coached by Wissam Saba, played 2 matches last week:
one during the Universities Basketball (men) League and a friendly one. AUST won their
first match against MUBS with a score of 73 – 46.
Top Scorers: Karim Jadayel 26 pts.
Ahmad Kinan Al Sharif 22 pts.
Mahmoud Abou Okdeh 10 pts.
Their second match was on Tuesday of February 24th; they won with a score of 56 – 37.
Top Scorer: Ahmad El Rayes 18 pts.
Futsal (women) League: Wins against LAU
AUST futsal (women) league, coached by Mehyiddine AL Wazzan, played a tough match
last week. Their game was against LAU Beirut, the AUST team won with a score of 7 – 1.
Top Scorers:
Hidaa Ghaddar: 4 goals
Karen Haddad, Reem Obeid, and Sara Bathich: 1 goal each
And AUST also won on USEK 1-0. Scorer: Sara Bathich.
Football (men) League: Wins in the Football Men League
AUST Basketball (men) team, coached by Fabio Saade, played against ALBA in the
Football Men League. AUST won with a score of 5 – 0.
Top Scorers:
Ali Rouz: 2 goals.
Rany Abou Arab, Walid Hanash, and Ali Zein: 1 goal each
AUST also won on UOB: 4-2
Top Scorers
Jad Nourdine: 2 goals
Ali Al Roz and Hasan Fawaz: 1 goal each
Futsal (men): First Division Cup
As the Semi-final Round witnesses its final matches of the Lebanese First Division
Championship, AUST Futsal (men) team, coached by Mr. Ziad Saade, played a tough
match against the Lebanese Army on Saturday 21st of February. Unfortunately AUST
lost with a score of 8 – 4.
Top Scorers: Rami Latdki: 2 goals
Khaled Sidani and Ali Rmeity: 1 goal each
6
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BITS & PIECES
Horoscopes
American University of Science and Technology
Announcements
ARIES March 21 - April 19
Get ready! Fun and fortune could be yours this week. A
sassy alignment reveals that you'll be eager to enjoy
yourself and move outside your comfort zone, too. Your
desire for something different could entice you to move in new
circles midweek. The chance to meet with folks who are truly on
your wavelength could be positively heartwarming. Don't worry too
much, though, and don't let it put you off.
TAURUS April 20 - May 20
Expect the unexpected, especially if you've been quietly
hoping for a minor miracle. This week's alignment may
bring just that. In addition, your intuition and dreams could
play an important part in making that happen. Pay attention to
any vivid nighttime reveries, especially those that seem to have a
haunting quality come morning. These may have special guidance
for you. Later, there is a little romance or a chance for some fun.
GEMINI May 21 - June 21
Your social scene has plenty of snap, crackle, and pop. Key
influences encourage you to be proactive about exploring
new social options. One encounter on Tuesday could bring
news or information that makes a difference to your day. Don't be
tempted to jump too quickly into a sizzling romance on Wednesday,
as it may not be what you think. Thursday can be great for a party or
get-together at your place, especially if you need to chill.
CANCER June 22 - July 22
There could be good news concerning jobs and money,
especially earlier in the week. A positive blend of energies
hints that there's an opportunity for a new contract,
promotion, or perhaps small windfall. Grab it quickly whatever
it is, as it may not be around for long. You'll find you can't please
everyone, especially on Wednesday. Bearing this in mind, it might
be best to focus on your agenda rather than someone else's.
LEO July 23 - August 22
The more you're willing try new things, the more doors
will open for you. If you have a strong desire to travel or
study, this is the time to do it. Your enthusiasm will help
you succeed. A fortunate blend of energies on Tuesday could bring
positive news that gives you the confidence to go for it. Even so,
you'll need to balance an urge for adventure with the willingness to
tackle everyday responsibilities.
VIRGO August 23 - September 22
If you're willing to act on an intuitive hunch, it could pay off
financially. Where joint finances are concerned, you may
need to make one or two big payments and keep things
running smoothly. The temptation to spend impulsively could throw
a wrench in the works, so think carefully before you do. Later, you'll
benefit by making a decision rather than hoping for the best. Thursday
may encourage you to share feelings with a special someone.
LIBRA September 23 - October 22
Relationships sizzle whether you're looking for new love
or already involved. This week you may connect with
someone a little bit special and know that there's potential
mileage here. If this is the case, it's up to you to work your magic.
At the same time, your emotional equilibrium could be upset by
someone with a disruptive influence. Stand your ground and refuse
to be upset, especially if it's a minor incident.
SCORPIO October 23 - November 21
You're in a prime position to make the most of a job
opportunity or chance for greater exposure for your
business. A delightful aspect early on could be the catalyst
that sees you forging ahead, but grab it while you can. A midweek
communication snafu at work might temporarily derail a project,
needing patience to see things through. Avoid doing or saying
anything on impulse in this situation.
SAGITTARIUS November 22 - December 21
Feelings of positivity can give you a boost this week,
particularly when it comes to romance and leisure options.
A spark of inspiration could ignite passions between you
and another, and this meeting could have a quality that marks it as
special. Even so, you'll need your freedom and a chance to do your
own thing even if it means someone's temporarily put out as a result.
You'll be in the spotlight on Thursday.
CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19
The temptation to splurge is apparent, so go easy if you
notice an urge to spend impulsively. There's plenty of activity
at home as stirring energies encourage you to remove
clutter, redecorate, or do some serious DIY. This can be a good time
to invest in your place or a family project that will bring a return in
cash or memories. Later, don't put off taking action on a key idea.
Thursday's Virgo Full Moon encourages you to fly free and have fun.
AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18
This could be a very conversational week. Shared
information and opportunities could enhance your luck and
that of others. Bright ideas sparkle with potential, so you
might find yourself drawn to collaborate with a likeminded someone.
There's room for romance, too, as a special alignment can bring an
upbeat encounter your way. Thursday could encourage a desire to
splurge big time. Opt for one or two small luxuries instead if you can.
PISCES February 19 - March 20
Money matters continue to be of interest. A positive
alignment on Tuesday hints that you could get a small
windfall, the chance of a pay raise, or even a lucrative
contract. If you're changing jobs, there's a chance your income will
go up as a result. Money could come in and go out just as quickly,
so put the brakes on your spending. Thursday may be perfect for
romance, it promises a date night that sizzles with chemistry.
For your comments, e-mail us at: austmidweek@aust.edu.lb
7
LIGHTER SIDE
Job Vacancies
For more information pass by the CLD Department or email your CV to: cld@aust.edu.lb
Many Full and Part-Time job opportunities in different fields are currently vacant in
well-known and prestigious institutions.
For more information Pass by: CLD Department – Block ‘’A’’ Ground Floor
1. Company: Upod Design; Job Title: Sales Associate; Type: Very Flexible
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Time; Qualifications: Undergraduates; Skills: Good Communication Skills;
Experience: 0-1 Yr. Of Exp.; Email: francis.helou@upoddesign.com
Company: SOCIETE GEORGES ET ANTOINE GANNAGE S.A.L; Job Title1:
BioMedical Engineer; Job Title2: Medical Sales Representative; Type1,2: FullTime; Qualifications1,2: B.S. in BME; Skills1: Punctual, Efficient with Good
Organizational Skills; Experience1: 0-4 Yr. Of Exp.; Email: Joyce.Mtanous@
gannage.com.lb
Company: Telco Zone; Job Title: Senior Account Executive; Type: FullTime; Qualifications: B.S. In MKT /& ADV; Skills: Presentable with Excellent
Communication Skills; Experience: 2 Yrs. of Exp. Email: chassoun@telcozone.com
Company: Medi Resto s.a.l.; Job Title: Waitresses & Operators; Type: Part
–Time; Qualifications: Undergraduate Students; Skills: Good Communication
Skills; Experience: 0-1 Yr. of Exp. Email: hoda.naim@medi-resto.com
Company: Retail Group; Job Title: Female Sales Associate; Type: Part –
Time (Flexible); Qualifications: Undergraduate; Skills: Presentable with Good
Communication Skills; Experience: 0-1 Yr. of Exp.; Email: joelle.nader@
retailgrp.com
Company: Grand Cinemas – Dbayeh; Job Title: Customer Care / VVIP Section
(Females); Type: Full or Part-Time PM shifts; Qualifications: Undergraduates;
7.
8.
9.
10.
Skills: Presentable with Excellent Communication Skills; Experience: 0-1 Yr. Of
Exp. Email: maya@srndco.com
Company: Azadea Group Holding – Lebanon; Job Title: Sales Associate;
Type:Part –Time (Flexible); Qualifications: Undergraduates; Skills: Presentable
with Good Communication Skills; Experience: 0-1 Yr. Of Exp. in Costumer
Service; Email: Souha.Malek@azadea.com
Company: Teleperformance; Job Title: Tele-Support, Tele-Sales & TeleMarketing Agents; Type: Part –Time ( Flexible); Qualifications: Undergraduates;
Skills: Punctual, Organized with Goof Communication Skills; Experience: No
experience needed; Email: abarake@tpleb.com
Company: Diet House ; Job Title: Receptionist & Operators; Type: Flexible
Part Time; Qualifications: Undergraduates; Skills: Punctual & Organized
with Good Communication Skills; Experience:0-1 Yr. of Exp.; Email: rana@
diethouseme.com
Company: Human Capital; Job Title1: Product Manager (Cardiology); Job
Title2: Product Specialist; Job Title3: Junior Accountant; Type1,2,3: FullTime; Qualifications1,2: B.S. in BME, CLS or Equivalent; Skills1: Organized
and Efficient; Qualifications3: B.S. in ACC ; Skills2,3: Punctual and Efficient;
Experience1: 3-5 Yrs. of Exp. in a Similar Field ; Experience2: 1-2 Yrs.
of Exp. in a Similar Field ; Experience3: 1-2 Yrs. of Exp. Email: mariam@
humancapital.bz
Crossword
Across
1. Brief appearance
6. Wing it
11. Fledgling reporter
14. Hersey title town
15. "Whale Rider" extra
16. Triumphant cry
17. Pushy sunbather?
19. Galoot
20. Stumble over one's sisters?
21. Big name in rap
23. Give orders
27. "Purportedly ..."
29. Delphi figure
30. Territory
31. Crime lord in
"Star Wars" films
32. Isabel or Juan
33. Cleo's downfall
36. Nothing but
37. Scope opening
38. Movie-rating gp.
39. "Sprechen __ Deutsch?"
40. Cumbersome
41. Aware of
42. Doesn't go on
44. Source of French Riviera
heat
45. Was featured
47. Long-time Nittany Lions
coach
48. Stuff in a hold
49. Jacob's first wife
50. Acr. from
51. Device for contacting
Elizabeth II?
58. Charge
59. Tried to persuade
60. Budget alternative
61. WPA promoter
62. Some MIT grads
63. Copy
Down
1. Semi-attached
compartment?
2. Summer cooler
3. Meadow bleat
4. It may support a written
claim: Abbr.
5. "C'est magnifique!"
6. Tickle
7. Affected by drizzling
8. Hack off
9. Anger
10. 1962 Lancaster title role
11. Leftover fish?
12. Kirk's communications
officer
13. Result of a three-putt,
sometimes
18. Stinging effect
22. King, in Portugal
Sudoku
Easy
8
www.aust.edu.lb
Medium
Hard
23. Karate schools
24. Caspian Sea native
25. Disgruntled TV
subscriber?
26. Frozen dessert chain
27. Dismal
28. 1847 Melville novel
30. Floors
32. Like a manuscript
backlog, usually
34. Sleek fabric
35. 16th-century artist
Veronese
37. Inspiration
38. Wide margin
40. Like Scarlatti's music
41. Impetuous one
43. One of a joule's
10,000,000
44. Volvo rival
45. Pooh-pooh, with "at"
46. Secured, in a way
47. Is unresolved
49. Lustful look
52. Keats's "foster-child
of silence and slow time"
53. Early bird?
54. Yalie
55. Debby's dad
56. CPR provider
57. Bouncing baby?