The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the American University of Beirut recognized six of its alumni with awards during the Seventh FEA Student Conference, which was held on October 16 and 17.
AUB President Peter Dorman and FEA Dean Ibrahim Hajj welcomed alumni to the conference which attracted a large audience in the Architecture Lecture Hall on campus.
The conference, which was postponed from May 2008, due to violent street clashes that plagued Beirut, is an annual event during which engineering, architecture and graphic design students present their final-year projects, many of which showcase innovative ideas. Additionally, the faculty also recognizes distinguished alumni who have achieved success in their careers.
This year, the faculty created a new award—the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award.
"Our alumni are very dear to us," said Hajj. "And their success is testimony to ours. For this reason, we believe it's important to recognize their achievements. By doing so, we also make sure we stay connected with our graduates, who are our best assets."
Hajj reminded the packed Architecture Lecture Hall of the ongoing improvements and expansions in the faculty, noting the reinstitution of PhD programs in all engineering departments.
The faculty presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to six alumni, including two Young Distinguished Alumnus Awards to: Taha Mikati, Karem Sakallah, Fadi Kurdahi, George Berberi, Mohammad Moghrabi, and Obeida Sidani.
Five of the award recipients were present at the ceremony, while Taha Mikati (BE Civil Engineering 1967), the brother of former PM Najib Mikati, with whom he founded the M1 group for telecoms, retail, and real estate business development, could not attend the awards ceremony due to pressing business engagements.
Sakallah (BE in Electrical Engineering 1975) who specializes in computer engineering and computer science, was recognized for his "powerful and fast algorithms" which have helped in improving computer hardware designs and software programs. Since 1988, he has been a professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He also serves on the advisory board of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development.
Fadi Kurdahi (BE in Electrical Engineering, 1981) who is a professor at the University of California at Irvine, was recognized for his contributions to design automation of digital systems.
George Berbari (BE in Mechanical Engineering, 1985) is the founder and CEO of the Dubai-based DC Pro Engineering. His award was in recognition of his professional achievements and pioneering contributions to the region in enhancing energy efficiency and conservation.
Mohamed Moghrabi (BE in civil engineering, 1995) recently founded his own development management company, after having held the position of regional senior director of Tameer Holding, a real estate developer. Moghrabi was recognized with the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award for his achievements and leadership positions in engineering consulting.
Finally, Obeida Sidani ( Bachelor of Graphic Design, 1997) also received a Young Alumnus Award for his internationally-recognized achievements and pioneering work in regional broadcast/motion graphics. Sidani is head of the creative department of Dubai Media, Inc.
*Source: ME NewsWire
*View this release online at: http://www.me-newswire.com/content/view/313/lang,en/
