American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo: BBA in Management
“This degree program provides a holistic perspective of all domains of business,” explains Dr. Alain Daou, associate professor of entrepreneurship at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut (AUB). “Students will have the chance to learn all the skills they need to succeed in business.” Students will also have the chance to become familiar with what Daou calls the “liberal arts mindset” that is one of the hallmarks of the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon. “The courses that students take outside their major are extremely enriching and help them develop their critical thinking skills and to be able to more effectively adapt to the ever-changing business world,” says Daou. Ralph Krayem, who enrolled in the BBA program at the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon, in fall 2020, took courses in history, chemistry, biology, and civilization studies. Looking back, he is glad that “the BBA program does not limit you to business knowledge.”
Nada Zein, who also enrolled in fall 2020, says that she was attracted to the BBA program not just by the extensive courses and modules, but also by the extracurricular clubs and activities “that complemented the program” and “fostered a sense of spirit and belonging.” She also speaks appreciatively of how her professors “successfully integrated technological advancements and business practices into the classes.” Zein, who is in the process of applying for master’s programs in the UK, says that she is confident “that AUB has provided me with the necessary skill set to place me ahead of the competition in my application and distinguish me from other students.”
The general education courses that Krayem mentions, and that both he and Zein took, are a key feature of the “AUB experience” that generations of AUB students in Beirut, Lebanon, have enjoyed. “We will be offering general education courses to all undergraduate students at the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo,” explains Dr. Bana Bashour, director of the General Education Program. “These courses are invaluable for students helping them to develop the skills they need to prepare for today’s challenging and uncertain world and the rapid transformation of professional roles and opportunities,” General education courses focused on “understanding our cultures and histories, the scientific investigation of the world around us, and analyzing our changing societies, in addition to courses focused on ethics and civic engagement, support our goal to develop responsible citizens, committed to serving their communities and the world,” adds Dr. David Currell, chair of the Department of English.
Like BBA students at AUB in Beirut, BBA students at AUB Mediterraneo will take core courses in accounting, business information and decision systems, finance, marketing, and general management. They will also have the opportunity to take courses focused on consulting making this degree program an especially good choice for anyone interested in working in consulting firms. Daou says that one of the other differences between the two programs will be the inclusion of European and African perspectives in case studies and in the choice of guest speakers at AUB Mediterraneo.
Like all undergraduate students at AUB Mediterraneo, BBA students will participate in a three-week orientation and induction program at the start of the first year to provide them with “the tools they need to take full advantage of all the opportunities that they will enjoy,” says Dr. Wassim El-Hajj, the executive director of the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo project. He goes on to note that the three-week program will introduce students to the goals and approaches of a liberal arts education and also serve as a practical orientation to AUB Mediterraneo.