From Curiosity to Leadership: How AEE Shaped My Path of Growth and International Achievement

A personal member story by Ahmad Ali Al-Saraireh

I began my journey with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) on April 10, 2024, as a regular student member. Shortly after joining, my academic excellence and active involvement caught the attention of the AEE Mutah Student Chapter president, who nominated me to compete for the 2024 AEE Scholarship. Achieving this scholarship was a defining milestone in my journey “my name was proudly listed among 39 talented individuals from across the world and the United States”

At that time, I was serving as the Chapter Secretary for 2024, working closely with our dedicated advisors, Dr. Khaled Al-Awasa and Eng. Samer Adnan, whose guidance inspired me to lead the chapter in 2025 as Chapter President.

Under my leadership as president, the AEE Mutah University Student Chapter earned two international AEE awards:

1. Best Overall Student Chapter Performance 2025
2. Best Community Service 2025
3. Three student scholarships awarded in 2025

Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity, I made it part of my vision to encourage greater female participation in our chapter’s activities and events. This was achieved through initiatives and training sessions designed specifically to empower and engage female engineering students. Building on this commitment, we are currently working toward establishing a dedicated CWEEL (Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership) student chapter at Mutah University to further support and connect women pursuing careers in the energy and environmental sectors.

These achievements reflected a year filled with creativity, collaboration, and impactful partnerships with companies and organizations — truly embodying AEE’s mission to promote innovation, energy awareness, and global engagement.

I am in my final semester, three months from graduation, and hold the highest GPA in the Faculty of Engineering at Mutah University, reflecting my commitment to academic excellence alongside my leadership in AEE. I was listed among the 2024 AEE Scholarship recipients, and under my leadership, the Mutah University Student Chapter earned two of the eight international AEE awards in 2025, highlighting my personal growth and the chapter’s global recognition.

Through the activities, lectures, conferences, and field visits organized by our chapter, I built a strong professional network across both the public and private sectors. This network not only supported my growth but also enabled me to assist other student chapters at Mutah University in connecting with industry partners and organizing their own technical events.

Additionally, my outstanding performance in the chapter, combined with continuous support from Mutah University, led to my selection as a university representative in several national and international seminars and visits, reflecting the university’s vision for innovation and leadership.

Overall, AEE has been a catalyst for my professional and personal development, strengthening my communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and preparing me to approach diverse challenges with confidence and maturity. The experiences I have gained and the unique opportunities I embraced have fully prepared me for the next stage — entering the energy sector as an engineer — equipped with the specialized skills and knowledge developed throughout my journey.