Dr. Souraj Salah
Process Improvement Director at AD Ports Group, UAE
Dr. Souraj Salah is an expert in Lean Six Sigma, operational excellence, and enterprise transformation, with a career spanning more than 25 years across Canada, the USA, the GCC, and international industry. A Canadian-trained industrial engineer and a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Dr. Salah has become a voice in the region’s quality movement, shaping excellence programs, mentoring industry leaders, and advancing the science and practice of continuous improvement.
He currently serves as Process Improvement Director at AD Ports Group, one of the world’s fastest‑growing integrated logistics and trade enablers. In this role, he established and leads the organization’s enterprise-wide continuous improvement function, driving multimillion‑dollar savings, operational streamlining, digital transformation, and a culture of excellence across ports, logistics, maritime services, and industrial zones.
Prior to joining AD Ports, Dr. Salah held senior leadership roles at Johnson Controls International (MENA), Juma Al Majid Group (UAE), and J.D. Irving Ltd. (Canada), where he led major Lean Six Sigma deployments across manufacturing, contracting, retail, and service sectors.
Dr. Salah holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering from the University of New Brunswick (Canada), a Master’s in Engineering from Concordia University (Canada), and a Bachelor’s in Production Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. He has published two books with Springer (Integrated Company-wide Management System) and Routledge/Taylor & Francis (77 Pillars of Quality and the Pursuit of Excellence), authored over 30 journal and conference papers, and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Lean Six Sigma, Business Excellence in industry, TQM, operations management, Japanese quality and quality tools at leading UAE universities including Hamdan Bin Muhammad Smart University and Abu Dhabi School of Management.
Dr. Salah is a certified EFQM Assessor, ISO QHSE Lead Auditor, and a long‑standing member of ASQ (USA/UAE), ATMAE (USA), and APEGNB (Canada). He has served as a judge and assessor for major regional and international excellence awards including the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA), International Business Excellence Awards (IBX), Dubai Quality Group Awards, Ajman Chamber Awards, and the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards.
His contributions to the field have earned him numerous distinctions, including the ASQ UAE Quality Professional Award in 2015, the Harvard Business Council International Diamond Professional Award in 2024, the IBX Award (2016 & 2017), and a 7‑Star Rating at the IBPC Competition (2025).
Industry Talk
- Date
- Time
- RoomKhalifa University Auditorium
AI‑Driven Operational Excellence: Transforming Industrial Systems for Sustainable Performance
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the foundations of industrial engineering, enabling organizations to move from reactive improvement to predictive, data‑driven excellence. This talk explores how AI‑enabled operational excellence transforms industrial systems, enhances sustainability, and accelerates decision‑making across diverse sectors. Drawing on real applications and broader industry experience, the session demonstrates how advanced technologies optimize processes, reduce waste, and strengthen resilience in complex operational environments.
The talk integrates principles from 77 Pillars of Quality, highlighting cultural, leadership, and systems‑thinking pillars essential for successful AI adoption. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how quality frameworks, Lean Six Sigma, and AI can converge to build intelligent, sustainable, and high‑performance organizations. The session concludes with a forward‑looking perspective on the skills and mindsets industrial engineers need to thrive in the AI era, followed by an interactive Q&A.