Families, friends, and faculty gathered on June 3, 2025, at the Byblos campus for the third installment of the School of Engineering Student Award Ceremony, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of senior students and highlight their dedication, creativity, and practical engineering solutions.

At the heart of the event was the enduring generosity of former LAU trustee and CEO of Dubai Contracting Company (DCC), Mr. Abdallah Yabroudi. Represented by alumna Mira Kamar (BE ’19), his continued support funded this year’s $8,000 in prizes—awards that go beyond recognizing academic and technical excellence to underscore the powerful role of philanthropy in shaping the next generation of engineering leaders.

“Mr. Yabroudi is not only a leader in industry, but a steadfast friend to our school—his generosity has opened doors for countless students to pursue their engineering dreams,” noted Associate Professor and Associate Dean Caesar Abi Shdid, who also announced that Mr. Yabroudi will increase the awards to $13,000 next year by adding the Abdallah Yabroudi Inspiration Awards.

Building on that sentiment, Dean Michel Khoury addressed the students with heartfelt words: “You chose the hard path, took on every challenge, and paved your own way—that’s why we’re here today. You truly earned this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder.” His message resonated deeply, acknowledging the effort and perseverance behind each student’s success.

Kamar added her warm congratulations to the winners and their families. “It’s a joy to return to my alma mater and celebrate the spirit of innovation and excellence that defines LAU’s engineering community,” she said, affirming the strong bond between the university and its supporters.

The ceremony featured the prestigious Hassan Abdallah Yabroudi prizes, awarded to the top three teams of the Capstone Poster Award Competition 2025, along with two honorable mentions.

Taking first place was DiaBeat, a non-invasive continuous glucose monitor integrated with an automated insulin pump and mobile app, developed by Taline Saad, Elissa Diab, Valerie Naufal, and Hassan Bassam Tfaily under the supervision of Assistant Professor Noel Maalouf.

Second place went to WeVolt, a wireless charging system for electric vehicles using resonance technology, designed by Vanessa Hanna, Nassim Yassine, Lynn Ghoussoub, and Ghady Eid, with advisor Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Dani Tannir.

The third prize was awarded to Robin ASDA, an assistant tool for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, created by Nour Mikhael, Hadi Bdeir, Sharbel Abou Sabha, and Reem Shehayib, also advised by Dr. Maalouf.

In parallel, the Abdallah Yabroudi Student Excellence Awards recognized civil engineering students across several categories, each receiving a cash prize in acknowledgment of their dedication and achievement:

• Leadership Award: Jad El Jurdi
• Academic Achievement Award: Assaad Assaf, Jad El Jurdi, Maria Ishac
• Citizenship Torch Award: Daniel Baddour and John Saad
• Professional Excellence Award: Makram Fares

The ceremony also acknowledged five remarkable teams from Engineering Projects Day 2025 with certificates of appreciation. Their projects collectively showcased a commitment to innovation and social impact, focusing on enhancing accessibility, advancing environmental conservation, and promoting sustainable technology.

Together, these students embody the creativity, dedication, and forward-thinking vision of LAU’s School of Engineering that cultivates innovative problem solvers ready to make a meaningful impact on society and the world.