Every year, LAU’s graduates continue to distinguish themselves, earning coveted spots in international universities to pursue advanced studies that will empower them to become impactful innovators and leaders in their fields.

This year is no exception. Among the recipients of the 2025 CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education, 21 outstanding LAU alumni were awarded full or partial tuition coverage and stipends at prestigious institutions such as École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, the University of Oxford and King’s College London.

Behind each of these graduates’ successes is a story of dedication and perseverance that began during their undergraduate years at LAU, where they made the most of the experiential learning offered by the university and grew into thinkers and leaders capable of thriving in an ever-changing, competitive world. 

The CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education is one of several prestigious international scholarships made possible by the International Services and Programs Office at LAU to help students launch a successful career. Funded by the Lebanese logistics company CMA CGM Group, the program enables deserving youth from various Lebanese universities to pursue a world-class education, empowering them to excel globally and become key players in shaping their country’s future.

Rihab Baltaji (BS ’19, MA ’21), who graduated from LAU with a BS in Economics and an MA in Applied Economics, was awarded a full scholarship for an MSc in Economics for Development at the University of Oxford. “I am particularly interested in economic policy advisory for developing countries, especially on issues of poverty reduction and welfare enhancement,” she said.

Describing her experience at LAU as pivotal, Baltaji said the university set a solid foundation for her academic and professional journey, particularly through a rigorous blend of theoretical and empirical training that honed her research skills.

As a student, Baltaji co-authored a research paper with Dr. Ali Fakih, professor and associate dean at the Adnan Kassar School of Business, and former Assistant Professor Nagham Sayour, which was later published in Development Policy Review.

“One of the most enriching experiences during my time at LAU was working on research with professors,” she said, adding that early exposure to academic research developed her analytical and writing skills, giving her an edge in the job market.

“Publishing in peer-reviewed journals is highly valued by top academic institutions and greatly enhances opportunities for postgraduate admissions and scholarships,” she went on to say. “What truly sets LAU apart, however, is the strong student-professor connection. These relationships open many doors—whether for professional references or for academic recommendation letters.”

Vincent Eldouaihy (BE ’25) graduated with a BE in Industrial Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master in Management at HEC Paris and the Global Business and Society program at the Yale School of Management. He wanted to bridge his engineering background, he said, “with strong business acumen, and benefit from the unique global exposure and career prospects offered across both Europe and the US.”

During the application process to HEC, Eldoueihy was offered the chance to complete the second year of his master’s at Yale University, where he was also accepted. Not one to shy away from an opportunity, he will graduate with two degrees, one from HEC, funded by the scholarship, and another from Yale. 

Eldouaihy credits his alma mater with playing a key role in preparing him for his next academic step, particularly the Consulting Management course, which he said helped to strengthen his analytical and problem-solving skills and gave him a clearer sense of direction in management and strategy consulting.

Beyond the classroom, the alumni took up diverse hands-on learning experiences at LAU, from competitions and internships to student-led research that honed their leadership and critical thinking skills. They also immersed themselves in a dynamic on-campus life, which kept them engaged and expanded their knowledge.

Paving his way from a student consultant to roles such as HR director and vice president of the LAU branch of 180 Degrees Consulting, Eldouaihy developed leadership, communication and management skills.He also completed two internships as an undergraduate at Dar Al-Handasah in Beirut and deSter BV in Belgium. “All of these experiences have shaped my journey and paved the way for this remarkable scholarship, for which I am deeply grateful and honored,” he said.

Another engineering graduate, Vanessa Hanna (BE ’25) was accepted for a Master of Science and Engineering at École Polytechnique, with an emphasis on Internet of Things (IoT) Management and Innovation.

Hanna chose her graduate program to bridge “the gap between the strong technical foundation” she acquired in mechatronics engineering at LAU “and the strategic, innovation-driven mindset required to develop impactful, industry-level products,” she said.

A graduate of LAU’s Honors Program, Hanna was actively engaged in experiential learning opportunities such as undergraduate research and multiple interdisciplinary projects that honed her innovation skills and helped her maintain a proactive attitude.

Taking on leadership roles, such as vice president of the IEEE Logistics Automation Club, engaging in student debates, and working at LAU’s Industrial Hub, Hanna was, as a result, fully prepared for the CMA CGM Excellence Fund.  “These experiences helped strengthen my analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, which are essential in both academia and industry,” she added.

Her peer at École Polytechnique, Jamil Jaber (BS ’25), is now pursuing a Master of Science and Technology in Economics, Data Analytics, and Corporate Finance.

With a BA in Economics and a Minor in Mathematics, Jaber’s choice of the graduate program was inspired by some of the practical economic courses at LAU, such as Econometrics, which piqued his interest in the quantitative side of the field.

The graduate program he is enrolled in was exactly what he was looking for. “It focuses on utilizing different tools of data analytics and combining them with economic and financial theories and practices,” he said, which allows him to apply the quantitative and analytical mindset he developed at LAU.

The foundation he acquired as an undergraduate had prepared him well, he said. “The econometrics course, for example, included a lab that introduced us to Stata programming, which is currently, alongside R-studio, the most required software for economic studies and analysis,” he said. “This shows the great value of LAU as a university, as it clearly believes in the importance of combining education with practical tools and real-world experiences.”

The invaluable opportunities LAU offered, from internships and the Case Competition to undergraduate research and the USAID scholarship, shaped Jaber’s character, honed his critical thinking skills, and built his self-confidence, which ultimately inspired him to aim for one of Europe’s top-ranked universities.

“This blend of diversified skills pushed me to apply for the CMA CGM scholarship. I was thankfully one of the few students who were selected, mainly because I had graduated from LAU,” he added

Computer science graduate Jalal El Zein (BS ’24) is now studying toward an MSc in Artificial Intelligence at King’s College London. Driven by a desire to deepen his knowledge in AI, El Zein aspires to become a meaningful contributor to advancing the field through research.

The most impactful hands-on learning experiences came from participating in multiple group projects, he said. “They were crucial for developing professional skills such as learning to coordinate and efficiently distribute workloads, meet strict deadlines, and effectively present technical outcomes to stakeholders,” he added.

El Zein was also engaged in multiple tech events hosted at LAU, particularly the Google Developers Group (GDG), which he described as invaluable experiences that broadened his perspective in the field.

Eager to start their new academic chapters, these alumni carry with them LAU’s spirit of ambition, excellence, and global citizenship, endowed with the skills and mindset to lead and innovate wherever they go.

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