Saif Aldeen Saad Obayes Al-Kadhim founded URNAVIO to develop civil drone services in Iraq and build local capability in integration, maintenance, and manufacturing.
Iraqi engineer, doctoral researcher at Xi’an Jiaotong University, technology entrepreneur, and IEEE Senior Member.
Full biography
Education and research
Saif holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Higher Diploma in Power Systems, and a master’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering. His doctoral research interests at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China include wireless communications, intelligent systems, and artificial intelligence.
His technical interests include embedded systems, sensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), battery management systems (BMS), the Internet of Things, automation, and intelligent energy applications.
IEEE leadership and professional service
Saif chairs the IEEE Iraq Section Young Professionals Affinity Group for 2026–2028 and the IEEE Iraq Section Student Activities Committee. He has contributed to the development of the IEEE Iraq Section SIGHT Group and has served as Vice Chair of the IEEE SA P2418.11 Working Group.
His IEEE volunteer work spans Power & Energy Society student and young professional activities, IEEE Day, IEEE PES Day, and IEEE Smart Cities initiatives. He has also contributed to IEEE TryEngineering STEM Grant review and the IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Student Ambassador program.
He completed the IEEE Volunteer Leadership Training (VoLT) program and received Best Ambassador recognition during IEEE PES Day 2022.
His role at URNAVIO
Saif leads company strategy, business development, institutional relationships, and long-term technology planning. URNAVIO’s initial focus is aerial inspection, infrastructure monitoring, agricultural applications, and engineering support in Iraq. Its longer-term direction includes local product development and manufacturing, with the wider Middle East and North Africa as a future market.
He is interested in applying engineering to resource efficiency and climate-related projects, including work aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.