Lieutenant Junior Grade (N) Elias Saadeh, an outstanding graduate from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand (UOB), has an inspirational story to share. Three UOB degrees, one military degree, two academic awards, three army certifications, and two military promotions describe Lieutenant Saadeh’s exceptional career so far.
Elias was a first year cadet officer at the Lebanese Military School when he started his bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering at UOB. He graduated in 2017 holding two bachelor’s degrees: a BS in Military Sciences (Navy) and another BS in Electrical Engineering. He decided to carry on with his graduate studies at UOB despite his military demanding duties, and earned his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Track), in Spring 2019. His master’s thesis project focused on the Maritime Electrical Production and Distribution in Lebanon. During this period, Lieutenant Saadeh was responsible for the maintenance and support of the vessels in Beirut Naval Base of the Lebanese Army. The latter expedited Lieutenant Saadeh navy career and was nominated to become the Head of Project Management of the Navy in the Logistics Department and got the job in August 2019.
Lieutenant Saadeh did not stop at this level, but decided to pursue his second master’s degree in Engineering Management and graduated from the University of Balamand in June 2022 with a commendable average of 90%. His thesis focused on: “Modified Fuzzy Group Decision Making Combining AHP, RRP, & TOPSIS for OPV Supplier’s Selection” and supervised by the Course Director, Dr Nabil Semaan.
In recognition of his outstanding research performance in Engineering Management, Lieutenant Saadeh was granted the Elma Maalouf Award for Engineering Research Excellence. In addition, the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence was presented to him in recognition of his remarkable achievements at the Faculty of Engineering.
During the same period, Lieutenant Saadeh has equally amassed several military certificates. In October 2020, he got the “Officer of the Watch” Certificate from l’Ecole Navale in France. In July 2021, he received the “Master Class Offshore Wind for Lebanon” from the De Oude Bibliotheek Academy, the Netherlands. In addition, he was the recipient of a certificate of attendance in the “Sustainable Energy for Security” project from the UNDP, in December 2021.
Lately, Lieutenant Saadeh got promoted to Technical Assistant of the Admiral Captain Commodore Haissam Dannaoui, and was appointed to the post in November 2022.
Reflecting on his past UOB journey, Lieutenant Saadeh claimed: “I grew up aiming to attend the University of Balamand, this remarkable higher education institution, to further enhance my education. Several people challenged me first to get enrolled, but as Abraham Lincoln once said - the best way to predict future, is to create it - thus my perseverance and hard work along with the Faculty of Engineering’s assistance and support made me reach where I stand today. My experience at Balamand helped me attain notable benchmarks nationally and internationally. As a Navy Officer, an Engineer and soon to be a PhD candidate, I reiterate my admiration to UOB for supporting all of my educational accomplishments and to the LAF-Navy for all my experience and expertise”.
There is no end to Lieutenant Saadeh’s ambitions and his quest to further enhance his knowledge and higher education and it is no wonder that he is setting his eyes on pursuing his doctoral studies in Engineering Management.
Captain Commodore Haissam Danaoui, Chief of the Lebanese Navy commended the achievements of Lieutenant Saadeh by stating: “his dedicated commitments to the Navy through his hunger for education, transferrable knowledge and innovation is a great testament for what the Navy offers its officers. I am sure that Lieutenant Saadeh will become a role example to many equally aspiring officers.”
Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Rami Abboud praised Lieutenant Saadeh’s exceptional charisma and academic achievements and stated: “I wish him continuous success in his various endeavors. Students like Lieutenant Saadeh makes us appreciate our roles as scholars in challenging adversities to provide our students a platform to excel. Without any doubt Lieutenant Saadeh has been an exceptional student with a multidisciplinary expertise and whom is a great asset to the Lebanese Navy. The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand prides itself with such an inspiring and dedicated student.”
What a successful journey Lieutenant! A committed student and graduate like you will surely succeed with anything he decides to do and set his mind on. Best of luck in whatever you dream of achieving. The future is yours.
