Faculty whose scholarly and pedagogical efforts continue to fortify the university’s academic standing were honored with this year’s Excellence Awards at the General Faculty Meeting on September 20, 2025, on the Byblos campus.

An annual LAU tradition, the awards celebrate outstanding faculty members who have contributed to expanding the university’s intellectual footprint and enhancing its reputation for innovation through their teaching methods and research.

Announcing the awardees, whose work spans psychology, marketing, architecture and design, Provost George E. Nasr highlighted the significance of this recognition in “supporting faculty who continue to push the boundaries of knowledge.”

The Research Excellence Award was granted to Assistant Professor of Psychology at the School of Arts and Sciences Sahar Obeid for her individual contributions to sustaining impact and leadership in her field.

The recognition, she said, affirmed the dedication, persistence and passion she has invested in her work since 2018, all of which serve as a reminder “that the long hours and challenges inherent in advancing knowledge have been observed and valued.”

On a personal level, she added, it brought her a renewed sense of encouragement. “It reassures me that the work I do has value and impact, and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and contributing to my field,” she said.

Dr. Obeid noted how such an award adds significant credibility when applying for competitive research grants or collaborative projects, both in Lebanon and internationally. “It also positions me to better mentor and inspire students and junior researchers, showing them that perseverance and commitment can lead to tangible achievements,” she said.

In parallel, the Research Excellence Award was also presented to Director of the Internal Consulting and Project Management Office and Associate Professor at the Adnan Kassar School of Business Zahy Ramadan (BS ’98; MBA ’00) and Assistant Dean and Professor Maya Farah (BS ’00; MBA ‘02) for their joint research efforts in marketing, digital consumer behavior and inclusivity in emerging digital spaces.

For Dr. Ramadan, the award carried a profound personal and professional significance, as “it reaffirms a commitment to pursuing research that is not only methodologically rigorous but also impactful and relevant to the evolving challenges facing the region and the world,” he said.

He underscored the greater impact of research when undertaken collaboratively. “My research contributions,” often conducted with Dr. Farah, he added, “are the result of several efforts that have matured over the years.” 

Dr. Ramadan’s work has focused on understanding consumer decision-making processes in increasingly digital and immersive environments. It examines how virtual spaces are reshaping brand-consumer relationships and explores new opportunities, while simultaneously posing ethical challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations.

For Dr. Farah, the recognition was a humbling experience, as “it represents the culmination of over a decade of collaborative work built on trust and perseverance in pursuing research that matters,” she said.

It also strengthened her conviction that research must extend beyond traditional academic metrics to shape teaching, inform practice and policy, and amplify LAU’s visibility on the global stage. She feels as though the work that has led to this honor encompasses a journey across emerging frontiers in marketing.

“The work closest to my heart is that which promotes inclusivity and empowerment for people with disabilities,” she added.

As advocates for research with a social mission, Dr. Farah and Dr. Ramadan have led pioneering studies on how marketing and technology can be leveraged to enhance the visibility, dignity and independence of this overlooked community. “The ultimate value lies in our work’s potential to inspire tangible change, in the classroom, in professional practice and policy, and in the ongoing project of building a more inclusive society,” said Dr. Farah.

The Teaching Excellence Award went to Associate Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture and Design Karma Dabaghi, whose work combines mentorship, creativity and academic rigor.

Receiving the award, said Dabaghi, reinforced her commitment to helping students build a strong foundation in architecture and design, as well as preparing them to think and work as future professionals.

Her teaching philosophy centers on merging creativity with curiosity and achieving a balance between intellectual exploration and practical application.

“Research and readings are a crucial part of every course I teach, as are open-ended questions and brainstorming sessions,” she explained. “The different components break the monotony of the course, but most importantly remind the students that design has both intellectual and practical dimensions and that solutions to any given brief can be reached through numerous equally valuable routes.”

She went on to stress the importance of blending lectures, discussions, critiques, research and readings to diversify the students’ engagement with problems and concepts. “This balance of guidance and freedom reflects LAU’s focus on developing critical thinking alongside practical skills,” she added.