On Friday and Saturday, April 4–5, 2025, the Faculty of Engineering at the North Lebanon Campus of Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU-NLC) hosted an exhilarating interschool engineering competition.
Designed to immerse secondary-school students in the fundamentals of early engineering practice, the event fostered and cultivated effective teamwork under pressure, time-management acumen, and ignited a passion for innovation through hands-on problem-solving.
Following the rendition of the National Anthem, the event commenced with a solemn oration delivered by Reverend Father François Akl, Director of NDU-NLC, followed by a compelling keynote address from Dr. Jacques Harb, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, in the presence of the department chairpersons and school representatives. The opening segment concluded with a pioneering presentation on emerging trends and innovation in artificial intelligence by Dr. Chady El Moucary, Faculty Coordinator at NDU-NLC, offering valuable insights into future career prospects in the rapidly-transforming industries which witness unprecedented levels of automation, predictive analytics and computer vision, and unlock novel solutions that reshape technological landscapes. The presentation concluded with a comprehensive overview of NDU’s renowned engineering programs and academic pathways. Subsequently, participating students were offered an exclusive guided tour of NDU’s facilities, including its state-of-the-art computer centers, cutting-edge ABET-accredited engineering laboratories, and the University’s exceptional, technology-integrated library.
After this enriching opening, students engaged in hands-on orientation sessions in addition to the core activities, familiarizing themselves with the tools, equipment, and technical procedures essential for the upcoming competitions. This preparatory phase continued into the morning of the second day, ensuring all participants were well-equipped and confident before presenting their work. Throughout the event, participants enjoyed coffee breaks and lunch, fostering networking and informal exchange among peers and mentors.
Three competitions were held simultaneously in the presence of the accompanying school representatives, each organized by NDU’s engineering department as aligned with its area of specialization:
- The Department of Electrical, Computer and Communication Engineering hosted the “Piloting Driverless Cars Competition,” where students explored autonomous vehicle control and smart systems. Walid Zakhem, Senior Lab Instructor and Technical Lead, provided hardware, assembled all prototypes, taught coding, and served as both mentor and juror.
- The Department of Mechanical Engineering led the “Paper Plane Competition,” focusing on aerodynamics and design precision. The Chairperson mentored students on flight principles and judged entries, emphasizing range, airtime, and design resilience.
- The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering held the “Two-Story Building: Stick-It Up and Emerge Victorious Competition,” where students built structural models using raw materials. Senior Lab Instructor Sawsan Sleiman provided training in structural techniques, guided students, and evaluated their final designs.
- A total of ten schools participated in the competition, bringing together 108 students who actively engaged in the various challenges. The enthusiastic turnout reflected strong interest in the event and a high level of engagement from schools across the North Lebanon region.
On Saturday, at the conclusion of the second day’s activities, all participants reconvened in the conference room for the much-anticipated announcement of results. Each student was honored with a “Certificate of Participation” in recognition of their efforts and commitment. The attendees were then informed that the winning teams would be invited to a distinguished celebratory event to commemorate their success in the presence of their parents, siblings, and school principals, as well as the representatives who graciously accompanied them during the course of the competition, allowing for unforgettable memories within the warmth and pride of their families.