It is with deep sorrow that the LAU community mourns the passing of Mr. Hanna Ayoub, a devoted member of our Board of Trustees since 1985 and a steadfast supporter of education, progress, and civic engagement.

Mr. Ayoub passed away on May 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to Lebanon’s development across the engineering, business, and educational sectors. He was married to Nina Ayoub, who passed away on December 1, 2024. His niece, alumna Zeenalee Ayoub (BA ’84) is the managing director of the Hanna and Nina Ayoub Foundation.

A civil engineering graduate of the American University of Beirut, Mr. Ayoub founded Al Hamra Engineering Co. in Beirut in 1966, an engineering and contracting company specialized in civil construction, construction management, steel structures, housing projects, application and trading of special building materials. Under his leadership, the company expanded across the Gulf and Europe, forming the Al Hamra Group of Companies and eventually establishing Hameng Holdings LTD in Jersey. His relentless pursuit of excellence positioned Al Hamra Group among the top 150 international firms in 1994.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Ayoub was deeply committed to public service. He was elected president of the Douma municipality in 1998, chaired the Douma Hotel and the Douma Heritage Preservation Society, and served on the board of directors of Allied Business Bank.

His impact was also tangible at LAU, through personal donations and gifts from his company, Al Hamra Kuwait Company, dating back to 1986. In 2007, he supported the construction of a critical road link between the LAU Byblos campus and the main highway (Blat)—a project he helped bring to life through LAU’s own financing, and in 2018, he and his wife Nina established the Hanna and Nina Ayoub Foundation Designated Scholarship Grant, funding scholarships for LAU students from Douma annually ever since.

“It has been an honor to have a man of his stature and vision as a member of our board and our close community,” said LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah. “His legacy will live on in the values he stood for—dedication, generosity, and a profound belief in the power of education to change lives. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, particularly his niece, Mrs. Zeenalee Ayoub, and all who were touched by his kindness, leadership, and enduring contributions.”