October 17, 2025 – Once again, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) student section at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), in collaboration with the 180 Degrees Consulting Club, successfully hosted the ninth edition of Students Leadership Training (SLT 9). The event featured prominent speakers from various industries who inspired students and shared their experiences in leadership and personal growth.
The SLT 9 attracted students from different faculties, who actively participated in two compelling talks and an interactive workshop.
In the first talk, “Leadership Through Sport”, Coach Ghassan Sarkis, the man with an impressive list of career titles, shared his incredible journey to the top of basketball coaching, discussing how he contributed to the sport’s development in Lebanon and the challenges he overcame. When asked whether he would choose coaching again, Coach Sarkis emphasized that his love for sports, basketball in particular, will always guide his career.
The second talk, “From Track to Trade”, was delivered by motorsport expert and entrepreneur Patrick Karam, who turned his passion into a profession. He highlighted the discipline and mindset required for effective leadership and sustaining a successful business. Karam also emphasized the importance of leading by example and having supportive networks: “You’re either by my side or in my way.”
Finally, the workshop, “How to Pitch an Idea in Business”, was led by Suha Itani, a Corporate Business Trainer for SMEs, Communication and Education Consultant, and Interior Designer. Her session complemented the first two talks, guiding students through the key elements of a strong pitch.
Using the Pitch Canvas tool, teams developed and presented ideas, which were then evaluated against seven essential pitching principles. Presenters were warmly applauded for their efforts.
Rounding off the event, participants engaged in a 98-question trivia game, with ASME Chair Joe Pharoun emerging victorious and winning a USD 50 prize. The combination of inspiring talks, practical workshops, and interactive activities made SLT 9 an unforgettable experience for all attendees.