NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of Engineering Technology will host the fourth annual Engineering Technology Symposium Tuesday, Nov. 9.  The symposium will take place from 8 a.m.-noon in the Student Union Ballroom and will feature keynote speakers Dr. Mohammad Saadeh, head of the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology at Southeastern Louisiana University, and E. Scott Poole, president and COO at RoyOMartin.

Saadeh received his Bachelor of Science in mechatronics engineering at the University of Jordan, then traveled to Malaysia for a Master of Science in mechatronics engineering.  In 2012, he earned a Ph.D. at ULMV and started as an assistant professor at SLU.  In 2018, he became head of the newly formed Department of Industrial Engineering and Technology.

Saadeh enjoys the classroom experience as he teaches classes in mechatronics/programming, control, automation, and electrical circuits and electronics. He has experience in robotics, statistics, embedded systems, microcontrollers, artificial intelligence and system identification, as well as the installation and maintenance of specialty labs. Saadeh also enjoys mentoring young students and working with them to solve real-world problems in industry.

Poole is a native of Jena and attended Louisiana Tech where he majored in forestry.  After graduation, he began working for the forestry department in 1986 and later obtained his Master of Business Administration from LSU.  Having held roles of increasing responsibility throughout his employment, Poole became the highest-ranking non-family member in the history of the Martin family business.

The ET Symposium was established in 2017 as an awareness event. It is a platform to bring together Academia, Industry and Workforce Development constituents to discuss common issues related to the future needs of our nation and how these issues will impact industry and business.

For more information about NSU’s ET department, contact, ET Department Head Dr. Jafar AlSharab at jafar@nsula.edu.