Karim Sadek

Personal Statement

Structural Engineering has been by far the most interesting and intellectually challenging
field I am exposed to. Whether it is the complexity involved in analyzing structural systems, or
the diverse and intelligent means by which structural issues can be resolved, this field seems
to keep me motivated.
Up to now, I have completed six structural engineering courses, five of which are
undergraduate and required by the Rafik Hariri University Civil Engineering major (Structural
Analysis I & II, Reinforced Concrete Design I & II, and Computer Modeling of Structures). The
sixth is a graduate technical elective, called “Steel Structures”, and covers topics related to the
analysis and design of members of steel structures such as tension members, compression
members, flexural members, and connections. I believe these graduate courses will help me
establish a good background for graduate studies in Structural engineering.
In addition, I worked as a Teaching Assistant mainly for courses at the undergraduate
level such as Structural Analysis II with my Professor Hisham Basha, where I gave problem
solving sessions, corrected exams and assignments, and with Professors Ahmad El Hajj and
Riad El Wardany in the Reinforced Concrete Design I course. Moreover, I have a lot of research
experience related to civil engineering materials, particularly, the effects of additives or
composites on the different mechanical properties of concrete, where I performed all kinds
of laboratory testing according to ASTM standards. Regarding my research interests in
structures, I like to research topics related to structural strengthening of reinforced concrete
elements, as well as optimization of wall-frame resisting systems in buildings subjected to
seismic loads, and other upgrading techniques for existing reinforced concrete buildings, and
last but not least, non-destructing techniques for detecting damage in structures.
As for my future plans, I am aiming first of all, to pursue a Master’s degree in Structural
Engineering. Afterwards, I would love to have the opportunity to work as a professional
structural engineer in a well-known company that has a specialty in the structural engineering
field. After gaining a few years of industry experience, my next goal would be to pursue a PhD
degree in Structural Engineering and become a full-time Professor. Teaching and becoming
academically involved with students is a profession that I am sincerely aiming at. What attracts
me most in this profession is the fact that I will be able to improve the society we live in by
providing top education to the younger generations and I would like to think of that as a way
of paying back the community.
Dear Sir,
My name is Karim Sadek, I graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Rafik Hariri
University. My request for financial aid is primarily due to the fact that I am unable to fully
cover my tuition fees, as my father has been unemployed for the past 11 years. Furthermore,
we do not have any source of income, except my married sister, who has been consistently
supporting us, providing us with the necessities for daily living. Moreover, Lebanon’s job
market for civil engineers is currently on the low, and the job opportunities are minimal.
Consequently, I have been unable to secure a job and save funds for graduate school. I was
intending to use this funds to help cover a major portion of the costs of attendance.