Among the 14 recipients of the 2024 CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education, seven exceptional LAU alumni have earned the opportunity to study in Europe with full tuition coverage and stipend at prestigious institutions such as Imperial College London, Oxford University, and King’s College London.

This achievement reflects LAU’s commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to thrive in competitive markets, a dedication that not only leads to high job-placement rates after graduation but also enables alumni to pursue graduate studies at top-tier international institutions.

Sharing this mission, the CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education offers annual scholarships that empower youth from different universities, giving them the chance to receive a world-class education that prepares them to excel globally, contribute to leading organizations, and become key players in shaping Lebanon’s future.

Marie-Ange Geagea (BE ’24), who was selected for a graduate degree in Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovation at Imperial College London, sees the program as a perfect fit for her ambition. “It aligns with both my academic background in mechanical engineering and my growing interest in AI-driven technologies,” she said.

Geagea was part of the Honors Program with a triple minor in economics, mathematics, and computer science. Her time at LAU, she noted, “has shaped both my academic and professional journey in ways I never imagined.”

The hands-on experiences—from designing Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to working on solar energy projects and diving into data engineering—taught her how to think critically and solve complex problems.

Another mechanical engineering graduate, Lynn El Khoury (BE ’24) was accepted into an MS in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. “Both Imperial College and CMA CGM were looking for candidates who had made an impact beyond the classroom,” she explained, “and that’s where my experience at LAU made a difference.”

El Khoury served as vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers club, following two years of being a board member. She noted how this involvement gave her “the confidence to lead a team of 22 and engage with more than 150 engineering students. The leadership experience, combined with the recognition of the club’s efforts, was incredibly rewarding.”

El Khoury feels that the university prepared her on multiple fronts, beyond just equipping her with technical skills. “I had the chance to explore research alongside a faculty mentor and challenge myself through competitions that pushed me to innovate,” she said.

A third scholar from LAU, Celine Kraitem (BA ’24) has joined Oxford University last fall, embarking on an MS in Psychological Research.

For Kraitem, LAU psychology faculty created an environment where curiosity and independent thinking were encouraged, making it easy to explore new ideas and develop a research mindset. “Dr. Rudy Abi-Habib’s support for my senior thesis, in particular, gave me the confidence to take my work further,” she said. “I truly believe it strengthened my application.”

During her time at LAU, Kraitem joined the Undergraduate Research and Discovery Program, which she believes strengthened her profile for the scholarship.

“Between these experiences and the continuous support, LAU helped shape me into the kind of candidate Oxford and the scholarship committee were looking for,” she said.

This academic sponsorship was made available through LAU’s Office of International Services and Programs. To browse more scholarships, click here.