Ralph Achkar, a BS Mechanical Engineering student specializing in Aeronautical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) at the University of Balamand (UOB), was admitted to an esteemed internship program at Mitsulift, a subsidiary of the renowned Mitsubishi company, known for its world-class elevators. The program featured six interns from universities across Lebanon, providing a comprehensive experience in departments such as Sales, Engineering, Quality Control, Installation, and After Sales. The internship concluded with a highly competitive SOLIDWORKS competition, where Ralph excelled and proudly secured first place.

Throughout the 4 weeks internship period at Mitsulift, from August 05 to 30 2024, Ralph and his fellow interns were tasked with designing a fully functional elevator for the company. Ralph’s project stood out for its detailed AutoCAD drawings, 3D SolidWorks models, and animations. He meticulously assembled over 50 parts and selected materials to showcase the functionality of his elevator design. His additional work on side projects, including the elevator leveling process and load weight devices, further demonstrated the engineering expertise that he gained from his studies at FOE at UOB.

The internship program culminated in a presentation to a jury of Mitsulift engineers, where Ralph's design was awarded the top spot, a testament to his skills in engineering, CAD software, and sale.

Dr. Chawki Lahoud, Assistant Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department, commented on Ralph’s accomplishment stating, "Ralph was a student in my MECH234 Drawing course, and his recent success is a testament to the strong education and skills he developed here at FOE at UOB. This achievement underscores the commitment to excellence that we impart on our students and the positive impact our programs have on their professional development”.

Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Rami Abboud extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ralph for securing the first place in the SOLIDWORKS competition stating, "This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication and talent we consistently see in our engineering students at UOB. Ralph’s success, compliments his success during his trip to India, is a source of pride for all of us and serves as a clear demonstration of the high standard of education, hands-on training, outstanding design thinking, academic and research excellence fostered in the Faculty of Engineering”.





​