Dean’s Advisory Board Meets to Discuss the Strategic Plan of the School of Architecture & Design

The Dean’s Advisory Board of the School of Architecture & Design at LAU convened on Thursday October 22 at the Gelnar Rbeiz Conference Room in Gezairi Building to discuss the School’s ongoing development, its strategic priorities, and the evolving challenges facing design education in an era of rapid technological transformation.

The meeting was attended by Provost Greg Heileman, Dean Elie Haddad, and board members Saleh Barakat, Terry Bitar, Adib Dada, Bassem El Jisr, Naji El Mir, Elie Gebrayel, Philippe Jabre, Michel Khallouf, and Maya Raad, in addition to the Senior Director of Development Nicole Barghoud, and the Chair of the Department of Art & Design Lee Frederix, Chair of the Department of Architecture & Interior Design Miquel Lacasta, Director of the Institute of Art in the Arab World Yasmine Taan, and the Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies and Research Carine Lteif.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the School’s past achievements and future ambitions, while engaging in discussions on its strategic plan and the directions needed to strengthen its academic programs, foster innovation, and respond to the changing demands of the architectural and design professions.

A key topic of discussion was the impact of artificial intelligence on education and the various design professions. Board members shared their particular perspectives on the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies, emphasizing the importance of integrating new tools into the educational experience while preserving critical thinking, creativity, ethical awareness, and human-centered approaches that lie at the heart of art and design education.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and collaboration between the School and its Advisory Board in shaping a forward-looking vision for the School—one that builds on its strengths, embraces innovation, and prepares future generations of architects and designers to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.