2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Courses into University Curricula

Presented at Lightning Talk - "Innovating for Impact: Community-Engaged Education, Technology, and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

The integration of Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) into university curricula represents a transformative shift in higher education, aimed at enhancing students’ academic experiences while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term research engagement. VIP programs bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and real-world problem-solving by assembling teams of undergraduate and graduate students to work with faculty on complex, long-term projects spanning multiple disciplines. Despite their potential to significantly enrich educational outcomes, the implementation of VIP courses often faces a number of challenges. This paper explores common obstacles, including resistance from faculty and administration, misalignment between VIP objectives and institutional goals, insufficient resource allocation, and cultural barriers within academic environments.
In addressing these challenges, this work draws upon case studies of institutions that have successfully implemented VIP courses and provides evidence-based strategies for overcoming such hurdles. Key challenges addressed include aligning VIP initiatives with broader institutional objectives, securing faculty buy-in through targeted engagement and support, and ensuring adequate funding and resources. The paper also examines innovative assessment methodologies that accurately measure the impact of VIP courses on student learning, research productivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, it addresses the importance of cultivating a culture of collaboration and openness within universities, which is critical to the successful adoption of VIP programs.
Addressing these challenges enables universities to effectively integrate VIP courses into their curricula, providing students with richer, and more comprehensive educational experiences. This integration also enhances research efforts, contributing to both academic advancement and societal progress.

Authors

Dr. Pierre Rahme Lebanese American University
Dr. George E Nasr Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. George E. Nasr has been Provost at the Lebanese American University (LAU) since 2018, following his tenure as Dean of the LAU School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and has published extensively on energy modeling and engineering education. He is an active member of IEEE and ASEE and serves on various international educational committees.
Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini is an associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at the Lebanese American University (LAU). Dr. Tarhini is a member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and an honorable member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He is the past president of the Middle East and North Africa Association for Information Systems (MENA-AIS), the AIS MENA chapter and the VP for research at the Information and Communication Technologies in Organizations and Society alliance (ICTO), France. He is an active member of the VIP Consortium and is on the steering committees of a number of international conferences. Dr. Tarhini served as a guest editor and a member of the editorial board of several peer-reviewed highly ranked journals. His research is published in recognized journals
Michel Elkhoury http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-2732-4190 Lebanese American University
Evan Fakhoury http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-5037 Lebanese American University [biography]

Evan Fakhoury, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Lebanese American University and the Assistant Director of the LAU Industrial Hub. With a deep passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Fakhoury has founded a VR/AR digital consulting agency, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve human-computer interaction. At the Lebanese American University, his research focuses on virtual reality, immersive learning, and engineering education. He is heading a VR/AR research unit at the school of engineering which is tasked with developing immersive VR/AR content for engineering courses.

An entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Fakhoury constantly seeks out new ideas that can improve lives. His leadership at the LAU Industrial Hub involves fostering innovation and collaboration between academia and industry, positioning the Hub as a center for research and development. In addition to his academic and entrepreneurial pursuits, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers, bringing his expertise in immersive technologies into the classroom to enhance student learning.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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