ASCEND 2027
AUST Student Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development
“Sustainability in Times of Global Transformation: Innovation, Society, and Resilience”
15–16 April 2027 · AUST Campus, Beirut
Invitation
We invite undergraduate students from all faculties at the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) and partner institutions to participate in ASCEND, held on 15–16 April 2027.
All participants join through the SEED Programme (Student Environmental Engagement & Development) — a guided engagement model supporting students from topic selection through final presentation via workshops, faculty mentoring, and thematic panels.
Successful participants receive a Certificate of Participation and may contribute to the inaugural ASCEND Proceedings.
Thematic Panels
Panel 1: Green Economy and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Business Administration
Panel 2: Sustainability, Global Affairs, and Society
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Panel 3: Media, Communication, and Sustainability Narratives
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Panel 4: Public Health and Community Resilience
Faculty of Health Sciences
Panel 5: Renewable Energy and Smart Technologies
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
Panel 6: Open Interdisciplinary Panel
All Faculties
Submission Requirements
| Stage | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Expression of Interest | 150 words — topic, panel choice, faculty affiliation |
| Research Plan | 500–700 words + bibliography; PDF/DOCX upload required |
| Final Research Essay | 900 words; PDF/DOCX upload required; APA or IEEE referencing |
| Conference Presentation | 10-minute oral presentation + 5-minute Q&A |
Important Dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 28 September 2026 | Release of Call for Papers; SEED Programme opens |
| 20 October 2026 | Deadline for expression of interest |
| 27 October 2026 | SEED Workshop: How to Develop a Research Plan |
| 3–7 November 2026 | Faculty-led thematic workshops |
| 15 December 2026 | Deadline for Research Plan submission |
| 10–24 January 2027 | Faculty review; notification of acceptance |
| February 2027 | SEED mentoring period |
| 15 March 2027 | Deadline for final Research Essay (900 words) |
| 1–10 April 2027 | Presentation coaching |
| 15–16 April 2027 | ASCEND Conference at AUST, Beirut |
| May 2027 | Proceedings and Certificates of Participation |