Article 1

A Center for Engineering & Scientific Research shall be established in the Faculty of Engineering, whose objectives are to provide support and secure the necessary means to carry out research, prepare theses and graduation projects, within an integrated educational and research framework, through:

1. Proposing a research policy and preparing an annual work plan for research in the faculty;
2. Proposing the establishment of specialized laboratories;
3. Proposing programs to activate research activity;
4. Establishing an information database for research documentation;
5. Managing the process of evaluating research projects submitted to research support programs approved by the Central Administration;
6. Preparing the scientific research budget project at the faculty;
7. Preparing the annual report on the research activity in the faculty;
8. Rehabilitating the laboratories of the Faculty of Engineering to the level of laboratories accredited by public and private institutions in Lebanon.

 

Article 2

The organizational structure of the Center is as follows:

1. Head of the Center
2. Scientific Council
3. Research Units
4. Administrative Body

 

Article 3

1. The President of the university, based on the proposal of the Dean following the approval of the faculty council, appoints a Head of the Center holding the rank of Professor from among the members of the teaching staff in the Faculty of Engineering, who are experienced and specialized tenured or full-timers.
2. The term of the Head of the Center is three years, renewable once, and he/she may be re-appointed after the expiry of a full term, and is a jury member of the faculty council.
3. The Head of the Center is exempted from a maximum of one third of his teaching hours upon his/her request and by a decision of the President, based on the recommendation of the faculty council.
4. In the event of a vacancy in the position of the Head of the Center, or in the event of absence, the highest-ranking member of the Scientific Council shall replace him/her. In the event of equal rank, the highest degree shall be considered, and in the event of equality, the oldest shall become the replacement.
5. The Head of the Center assumes the following duties:

• Inviting the Scientific Council to meet, presiding over the meetings, and preparing the agenda and the minutes;
• Preparing and presenting the annual work plan to the Scientific Council for approval before the end of September, and committing to its implementation;
• Coordinating, under the supervision of the Dean, with the Doctoral Schools regarding activities related to the PhD and the organization of the use of joint research platforms;
• Preparing and submitting the scientific research draft budget to the Scientific Council for approval and referring it accordingly to the faculty council within the time limit specified in the university’s financial regulations;
• Preparing and submitting the annual report on the research activity to the faculty council before the end of June following the approval of the Scientific Council.

 

Article 4

The Scientific Council consists of:

• Head of the Center: Chairman
• Heads of Research Units

1. The duties of the Scientific Council are defined as follows:

1. Suggesting the research policy within the university's plan for scientific research and submitting it to the faculty council;
2. Managing the evaluation of research projects submitted to research support programs approved in the Central Administration and making recommendations thereon;
3. Managing and organizing the work of the 7th year for members of the teaching staff in the Faculty of Engineering;
4. Suggesting programs to activate the research activity in the faculty;
5. Proposing the establishment of specialized research laboratories;
6. Organizing conferences, scientific symposia, specialization courses and workshops, and issuing publications related to scientific research;
7. Creating a database for research documentation;
8. The Scientific Council is committed to implementing the annual work plan.

2. The Scientific Council shall meet at least once a month, or upon a written invitation from its Chairman, or at the written request of one-third of its members. The session shall not be legal unless attended by at least half of its members. If a member of the Scientific Council is absent for at least three consecutive times without an excuse, he/she is considered to have resigned by default and a replacement is appointed in accordance with the articles related to appointment.

3. The Scientific Council takes its decisions by a majority vote. In the event of equal votes, the vote of the Chairman shall be considered casting.

 

Article 5

1- The Center conducts studies, research and consultancy work for:

1. The Lebanese University;
2. The public sector;
3. The private sector or any entity as decided by the university council.

2- The Scientific Council determines the process for carrying out such studies and research.

3- Studies and research projects are submitted to the Head of the Center, where they are studied by the Scientific Council and submitted by the Dean to the university council.

 

Article 6

The Center consists of five research units:

1. Mechanical & Civil Engineering Unit
2. Energy & Sustainable Development Unit
3. Communication & Informatics Unit
4. Industrial Engineering & Production Management Unit
5. Applied Modeling Unit

When needed, other research units can be created according to a decision taken by the faculty council, based on the proposal of the Scientific Council.

Each unit consists of research teams, individual researchers, and master's officers in the research unit's jurisdiction.

 

Article 7

The research team consists of a group of researchers, including at least 3 researchers tenured or full-timers in the Faculty of Engineering working within interrelated and integrated scientific axes. The team is supervised by one of its members. The team may include researchers from other faculties of the Lebanese University or other universities. The status of the research team is granted by the Dean based on a request submitted by a group of researchers to the Head of the Center.

 

Article 8

1. Each research unit shall:

1. Conduct and coordinate research and studies with other research units;
2. Create a database for research documentation;
3. Propose the annual work plan for the research unit and prepare the interim program (from one to four years) and submit it to the Scientific Council;

2. The research unit is headed by a researcher from the teaching staff in the Faculty of Engineering. The appointment is made by a decision of the Dean following on the approval of the faculty council, based on the recommendation of the Scientific Council, for a period of three years, renewable once.

3. The Head of the research unit is responsible for:

• Managing and supervising the research unit;
• Proposing research projects and plans and estimating their costs;
• Developing and submitting periodic reports to the Scientific Council every six months;
• Coordinating on the administrative and scientific levels with the heads of research units and the Head of the Center.

 

Article 9

The administrative and financial work in the Center is carried out by university employees, who are transferred or appointed by a decision of the President, based on the proposal of the Dean.

The employees of the Center do not receive any compensation or additional wages for these works.

 

Article 10

1- Funds of the Center

1. The faculty budget shall include the funds allocated to the Center for Engineering & Scientific Research.
2. The Center's imports consist of:

• The university contributions;
• The projects supported by local and international institutions and companies;
• The revenues of implemented projects and specialization courses;
• The unconditional donations and gifts.

3. These imports are deposited in a special account in the university’s Department of Imports.

2- Expenses of the Center

Expenses for research and studies are held and disbursed according to the rules established in the university’s financial regulations, following the proposal of the Dean, based on the officer in charge of the research or study, and the approval of the faculty council, in accordance with the approved research processes issued by the Presidency.

 

Article 11

This decision shall be implement