ALBA expands its
premises in Sin El Fil

The $18 million project will be equipped for new specializations

The Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts (ALBA), an affiliate of Balamand University, will expand its premises in Sin El Fil by 2018.

Abniah, a local contractor, will execute the $18 million project in three phases. André Bekhazi, Dean of Alba, said: “The main reason behind this expansion is to enhance the quality of education by integrating new technologies and high-tech equipment in the classes.”

The expansion will increase the space of the campus from 8,000 to 45,000 square meters. It will include a new theater with a capacity for 300, as well as five amphitheaters that are equipped with high-tech machines. It will also comprise workshops for architecture, interior architecture, design, and graphic design.

ALBA launched audiovisual specialization last year and the expansion will include an up-to-date studio for it. New offices will be dedicated for the administration. The campus will include new departments for documentary, communication, and public relations, as well as a conference room and 14,000 m2 parking.

The campus will increase the student capacity by 15 percent to 1,500. ALBA employs 360 teachers.

The funds required for this expansion were allocated from the university’s budget. Bekhazi said that the tuition fees will not increase, as ALBA is a non-profit institution.