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AKSOB Students Win Top Three HES–USP Excellence Awards

Adnan Kassar School of Business students are recognized for their dedication to community service and academic excellence.

By Silvana Ghoson

Top three HES–USP Excellence Awards winners. (From left) Elissa El Haber, Razan Zwein and Reine Amer.

Since its inception at LAU in 2010, the Higher Education Scholarship (HES), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided excelling students with the opportunity to pursue their education at LAU while also engaging in community service and benefitting from professional development opportunities. 

This feature of the program has nurtured a deep sense of civic responsibility among the scholars, who go above and beyond every year to draw up plans, organize and rally others to enact positive change within their respective communities.

To recognize the top performers and cultivate a greater sense of volunteerism among students, the Community Service and Engagement Unit (CSE) at LAU organizes the annual HES-USP Excellence Awards.

While strategically aimed at further developing the scholars’ knowledge and skills, the awards also honor the recipients’ efforts, especially as they maintain outstanding academic performance. They must demonstrate commitment and dedication, service to the community, and impact and innovation through the fulfillment of the program’s civic engagement requirements.

This year, three University Scholarship Program (USP) students from the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) received this honor, a testament to the school’s commitment to cultivating compassionate and skilled future leaders.

Marketing student Elissa El Haber won the first prize of $5,000 covering a professional training workshop or a course abroad for her outstanding academic performance with a 3.94 CGPA, as well as her dedicated service and social work. 

“This award inspires me to give back to my community and pursue my goals with even greater determination,” she said, “and I plan to use it to enhance my expertise in social media marketing by attending specialized workshops and courses in 2025.”

The second prize, $3,000 in monetary value to cover a Lebanon-based workshop or course, was awarded to economics student Razan Zwein, who holds a CGPA of 3.92 and has a passion for research and community service. The recognition, she said, is an opportunity that will help her take her academic journey to the next level. 

“Whether through volunteering or organizing projects and initiatives, I’ve always believed in thinking of the bigger purpose our actions serve,” said Zwein. “This award might have given me recognition for what I have done so far, but it serves as a reminder that I must keep doing what I am doing and remain an active member in my community.” 

Reine Amer explained that winning the third prize reflected her commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. She received $1,000 to account for a graduate studies preparation course and exam. Maintaining a CGPA of 3.90 in banking and finance while balancing volunteer work, she said, allowed her to develop leadership and professional skills. 

“This award is challenging and rewarding at the same time; it motivates me to aim for more, expand my knowledge and pursue higher goals professionally and personally,” she added. “I intend to take full advantage of this opportunity by enrolling in courses that are highly demanded in the job market and pertinent to my graduate studies. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to achieving even more in the future.”

The 2024 competition included 300 students, with 17 finalists evaluated based on leadership and academic excellence. The winners’ achievements will be highlighted in the upcoming December 2024 HELM Newsletter, and they will receive their certificates at the HES graduation ceremony in the spring.