LAU MEPI-Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program
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Dr. Elise Salem, Foreword
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Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury, Foreword
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Program Overview
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About the e-book
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Spring Gradutes Profiles: Ghina Abdel Baki
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Maguy Abdel Ahad
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Muna Saeed
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Fatema Nooruddin
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Hrag Dedeyan
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Israa Hashem
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Anas Diab
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Summer Gradutes Profiles: Abrar Abdulla
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Fatima Hallal
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Nada Al Qabili
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Bahdja Sehli
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Sarah Shmaitilly
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VICE PRESIDENT FOREWARD
VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT &ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Dr. Elise Salem
I will never forget when, a few years ago, a new opportunity came to us from MEPI. For the first time, they were considering funding graduate level education for deserving women and men from the MENA region. LAU responded quickly as this opportunity aligned perfectly with our strategic plan to deepen and expand our graduate programs. We then submitted an application that would offer full scholarships for Master’s programs in Applied Economics, Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, International Affairs, and Migration Studies. These programs were chosen for their importance in the region’s development and for their intersection with public policy. We were the only university to receive the competitive award in 2018 and we then began the process of recruiting you, our first cohort of what would be called TLG! MEPI’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate program is designed for exceptional students with Bachelor’s degrees who intend to furthering their academic path to become impactful agents of change in their countries. Besides earning a graduate degree, you are expected to produce knowledge, do research and conduct scholarship that will be referenced and discussed for years to come. As such, LAU is delighted to create with you an e-book that presents your research, your internship experiences, your professional profiles and a glimpse into your future plans. With you, we are creating a live document, and a repository, of your accomplishments. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury who has been your brilliant Academic Coordinator for the TLG and all the professors who have served as your mentors in the past two years. My gratitude also goes to the tireless Dina Abdul Rahman, the Director of TL at LAU, and her team for managing the grant. Finally, congratulations to all of you, our priceless students, who joined us on this academic adventure. We are proud of your work and wish you all the best going forward. Dr. Elise Salem
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TLG ACADEMIC COORDINATOR FOREWARD
M E P I T L G A C A D E M I C C O O R D I N A T O R
As an academic coordinator of the MEPI TLG program, I have had the opportunity to work with talented and creative students from different disciplinary and scholarly backgrounds. What thrilled me is their capacity to adapt to an overly complex configuration of events. Overlapping crises have definitely shaped our academic pathway this year, but MEPI TLG students managed to carry out internships, write papers, conduct graduate research assistantships, speak at conferences and Webinars, and develop fascinating dissertations. Seeing how they tied theory to practice and played a key role in community empowerment was a highlight! The MEPI TLG program at LAU is a unique opportunity to combine learning with policyorientated research, and reach out to policy, civic and public spheres in one of the most vibrant cities of the Middle East. Within two years, students transform the curriculum into a lived experience. One key aspect that we emphasize is how learning communities evolve into knowledge producers and policy shapers.
Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury
I look forward to hearing about how our talented MEPI TLG graduates will build on the knowledge they have acquired to embark on new professional projects and horizons, and I cannot wait to see how this experience will inspire their personal pathways! Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
P R O G R A M O V E R V I E W
About Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program: The Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program (TLG) is a Master’s program funded by The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the United States Department of State. The TLG program is dedicated to academically highcaliber students from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who are from underserved background. The program offers two-year Master’s degrees in selected public policy fields. Students who got admitted in the program were part of academic programs that go beyond the traditional classroom to instill experiential and pragmatic applied knowledge into the curriculum through graduate assistantships, internships and final projects. LAU was the first university in the MENA region to implement and manage this program in 2018 providing a strong graduate education with research and experiential learning, innovative programming and instilling leadership capacity and service learning, and internship possibilities to academically qualified and deserving students from the MENA region.
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ABOUT THE E-BOOK
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This e-book seeks to celebrate MEPI TLG students’ achievements amid challenging times. It engages with their research profile and their views on social engagement and leadership. It also integrates some of their personal perspectives on studying and researching in a period that has been characterized by unprecedented turmoil in Lebanon and further afield. Given that learning and interactions have shifted to online platforms in 2020 in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-book is meant as well to be a valuable tool for documenting their MEPI TLG journey with its multifaceted aspects.
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S P R I N G G R A D U A T E S 2 0 2 0
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
GHINA ABDEL BAKI
B I O Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in Applied Economics Experience: Researcher Intern. - ESCWA Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant - Department of Economics, LAU
Practice Teacher - International College
Ghina pursued her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with High Distinction followed by Master of Arts in Applied Economics scoring a GPA of 4/4. During her studies, Ghina got the opportunity to work as full-time Intern at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA). As for the extra-curricular activities, Ghina made use of her mathematic skills: she volunteered as treasurer for LAU Mathematic Club and LAU Photography Club.
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My research project is related to environmental economics. The topic is to derive an optimal emission tax that should be imposed on a polluting Bertrand duopoly model while taking into account the spatial dimension of the pollution problem. I chose this topic because pollution has become a major worldwide threat. Thus, I aimed to complement the ongoing research related to anti-pollution instruments. In this way, I will be crafting an instrument that facilitates the achievement of some of the sustainable development goals. Most importantly, most of the studies related to emission taxes have overlooked the fact that the damage caused by pollution depends on the distance separating the polluter and the residents. Thus, my research topic integrates this vital factor. Additionally, my study is among the very few papers that connect between the market structure and the spatial dimension of pollution. In other words, I am accounting for further real-life scenarios that are witnessed daily. Another reason for selecting this topic is that I wanted to show that theoretical economic research is crucial and can be in practice feasible in both developing and developed countries. Finally, I wanted to study the effect of this tax on the locational decisions of the polluters when they are allowed to relocate to examine whether they will be acquiring more market power.
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P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
Spatial Emission Tax and the Double Trade-offs
F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y Ghina came to our program from the math department with a minor in Economics. She immediately established herself as a top student. Early on, in her graduate studies she showed interest in working on complicated theoretical models that few other students were willing to tackle. She started working on her MA paper one year in advance. The result was an excellent MA paper on the theory and practice of environmental taxation that is now submitted to a top field journal in Economics for possible publication. Based on her excellent graduate work, Ghina was admitted, with full scholarship, to pursue her PhD degree in Economics at the University of Ottawa in fall 2020.
- DR. WALID MARROUCH
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Walid Marrouch
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INTERNSHIP & NETWORKING:
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Most of the work that I have completed at ESCWA required cooperation with other researchers. The well-specified roles of each member in the research team, along with the friendly environment, made me enjoy and feel comfortable while working in groups. Usually, everyone used to work on a certain task, and the success of the whole project depended on the quality of the deliverables by each member. Therefore, each one of us had to be a leader at certain times to account for the success of the whole team. That is how my leadership skills have been enhanced. During my internship, I was simultaneously working at two divisions: social development division and economic development and integration division. Thus, I had to excel in these two departments. Prioritizing the tasks depending on their level of difficulties as well as managing my time have made both experiences successful and rewarding. Time management and dedication were the key factors for surviving working under pressure. Personally, I believe that the quality of my work reflects my character. I do not usually break the deadlines, and I cannot submit anything unless I make sure that it is perfect regardless of the efforts that I have to put. Therefore, I am always accountable for the tasks assigned to me because this was the reason behind my triumph in every step I take. I have even become more accountable and punctual because of the contagious professional work environment at ESCWA. Being in touch with the staff there made me value the importance of accountability and punctuality at work, university, and in general, at anything I do.
CHALLENGES:
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ACHIEVEMENTS & FUTURE GOALS:
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The next step after graduation is to pursue a Ph.D. in economics. This has been my goal since I first applied to the MEPI TLG p program. I was sure that this program will be the door towards fulfilling my goal, particularly that it is offered at such a leading university. I was privileged to benefit from the high educational quality of LAU’s economics MA program. Besides this, the MEPI program continued shaping my leadership and research skills especially through my internship at ESCWA and my GA experience. Now, I am closer to my dream as I got acceptance. A Ph.D. in economics will unlock for me more opportunities in the future. However, I look forward to joining academia later as this will allow me to do something that I love, will allow me to give back to my community, and to inspire future generations by helping them unleash the leader within themselves.
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The October uprising in Lebanon has added obstacles to the academic year 2019-2020, especially to the fall semester. The uncertainties and the devaluation of the Lebanese currency made me involuntary panic because I could feel how fragile Lebanon has become and how threatening the near future might be. At first, I accepted the fact that I am working below my potential because I was in a completely new environment, but later, I had to get along with the new situation to stay focused on my studies. The major challenge was the road closure which has interrupted our studies for about 3 weeks. I took advantage of this forced break to review what I have learned at the beginning of the semester so that I ensure a smooth academic flow when classes resume. Moreover, I resumed my work on my research project so that I do not fall short on time later given the risky situation. The road closure was also a major obstacle while I was doing the internship at ESCWA. Other challenges include the protests that have been occurring at Riad El Soleh square, which is next to ESCWA. To overcome these issues, I used to work from home when it was not safe to reach the office. In a nutshell, I tried my best to adapt to the stressful situation and to work as much I can. Additionally, my instructors, internship supervisors, and MEPI team were cooperative. Consequently, this was among the reasons that made me overcome my fears and thus graduate on time.
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L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
- NELSON MANDELA
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
MAGUY ABDEL AHAD
B I O Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in Applied Economics Experience: Project Assistant - Office of The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Lebanon
Graduate Assistant - Department of Economics, LAU Intern. - Banque Libano-Francaise Intern. - Bank Audi Intern. - FransaBank
Maguy graduated from LAU, with Master of Arts in Applied Economics with a cumulative GPA 3.81/4. During her two-year academic journey, Maguy got accepted to work for the office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) in Lebanon for an educational internship position that required working on the ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The 2030 Agenda’ project. During the internship, Maguy had the chance to attend several pertinent, interactive, and influential workshops and conferences which provided her with an in-depth understanding of economic theory and applied quantitative methods. Maguy got a list of awards and certificates. To name a few, she was honored by Blom Bank in UNESCO for ranking from first 25 in Lebanese Official Exams (Rank 11), and she was certificated for being honored in LAU’s Honor Society Ceremony.
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My research project studies the fallout of the settlement of a huge number of Syrian refugees on the Lebanese economy. Specifically, my paper examines repercussions on four macroeconomic indicators: consumer prices, electricity consumption, tourist arrivals, and inflow of FDI. I chose this topic for the below 3 reasons: In March 2020, the Syrian-refugee crisis entered its tenth year. Alarmingly, Lebanon ranks first in the world with its highest per capita concentration of refugees. Precisely, in Lebanon, one out of every four persons is a refugee of the Syrian crisis (International Alert, 2015). Lebanon’s fragile macroeconomic framework as well as its political and institutional challenges make the country particularly sensitive to refugee shock waves. During these critical times and amid the continuing unrest that the country is experiencing, it is of paramount importance to assess the aftermath of this refugee plight on an already fragile economy. Although Lebanon has long been known for its exceptional generosity in welcoming and providing asylum to refugees, a comprehensive review of previous works revealed the extent to which the literature on the Lebanese case is scant. Therefore, my study contributes to the literature interested in studying the impact of Syrian refugees on the Lebanese economy.
P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
The Impact of the Syrian Refugee Crisis on Host Economics: Evidence from Lebanon
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Mohamad Karake 19
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INTERNSHIP & NETWORKING:
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In Fall 2019, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) in Lebanon accepted me for an educational internship position that required working on the ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The 2030 Agenda’ project. Both, the fact that the DPM office had considered me an eligible candidate for the internship and acknowledging that my public sector internship had been about making a difference at the national level, has made me feel extremely responsible and accountable throughout my execution of the tasks that were allocated to me. Besides, the internship has been one of its kind learning experience. Most importantly, the personable nature of every single member of the DPM team has revealed to me the importance of working in an extremely positive and motivating work environment. Throughout my internship, I was also able to witness the importance of teamwork as well as develop my problem-solving skills. Lastly, the internship has taught me how to deal with deadlines under pressure and how to better manage my time by maintaining a balance between my internship, graduate studies, and my personal life.
ACHIEVEMENTS & FUTURE GOALS:
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After graduation, I will consider working in the public sector Policy Making and Assessment or as a Government Consultant. Pursuing my internship at the DPM office has reinforced my passion for public sector work in Lebanon. This is because I believe that economists are urgently needed to rescue the Lebanese public sector which is plagued by inefficiency and waste.
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PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
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The UN Global Compact 2019 Annual Forum “Making Global Goals Local Business (MGGLB) - the Middle East 2019” which took place at the Grand Serail in Beirut in October 2019 is an event also worth mentioning. The forum was hosted under the patronage and in the presence of the former Prime Minister, His Excellency Saad Hariri, who described Lebanon’s overall progress towards the SDGs and the UN 2030 Agenda. The MGGLB forum brought together regional and global leaders from business, civil society, government, and Global Compact Local Networks in the Middle East to catalyze a collective action affecting the 17 SDGs. The inauguration included key interventions that revealed the best practices which we can be locally adopted. The forum included several panel discussions that tackled different themes and aspects. Examples are the Ambassadors’ interventions regarding sustainability and a fireside chat between Global Compact Network Lebanon and Global Compact Network Turkey. To ensure an inclusive understanding of sustainable progress in Lebanon, the National Poverty Target Plan, and the youth’s role in advancing the SDG were some other covered themes. The event also introduced a Zero Plastic Campaign.
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L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
MUNA SAEED
B I O Country: Yemen Major: M.A. in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Experience: Intern. - International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Research Assistant - Arab Institute for Women, LAU
At LAU, Muna learned to develop timely skills related to managing people, projects, equipment, information and other resources used in the production of goods and services. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Management through LAU Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, Muna got accepted in the same program to pursue her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies at LAU. Her career experience is diversified and rich combining both business and field research. Additionally, Muna fortified her writing skills during her academic journey at LAU and won The Arab Institute for Women’s (AiW) Mary Turner Lane Writing Award for Best Research Paper on Women and Gender.
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The Importance of Gendering School Curriculum in Yemen Post (2015) Conflict. The goal of this research is to explore the key role of the education curriculum as a tool that could utilize opportunities for young women’s sustainable development in the society, especially during reconstruction times after conflicts. Steeping from personal experience, I see the need for revisiting the education curriculum in times of change. I am highly motivated to bring discussions about transforming the education curriculum and exploring new practices that could incorporate gender into the curriculum with a better understating. Finally, I believe in the education’s system abilities in fostering the potential of young girls and helping them achieve their goals even outside the education system. Thus, creating a greater level of gender justice, equal rights, and opportunities. Why in post-conflict periods? Because I believe that such atrocities can create resistance and open up doors for growth. Women from all over the world have taken advantage of post-conflict periods to rebuild their societies, rewrite rules and take on new roles to advance women’s rights (Arostegui, 2013)They have played a major role in advocating for new laws and policies at a national and international level. Perhaps my contribution could truly inspire decision-makers to make a change.
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P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
The Importance of Gendering School Curriculum in Yemen Post (2015) Conflict - A Policy Orientated Report
Intern. - KAFA NGO Program Manager - AIESEC, Lebanon
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury
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OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:
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As a foreigner who happened to be living in Lebanon for quite a while- almost 6 years now. Witnessing the Lebanese Oct 17th uprising/ Thawra has been exceptional and quite a learning experience that added to the overall learning experience of being part of KAFA- a civil society NGO. I got to participate in an event organized by KAFA to discuss the Proposed Personal Status Code on the streets while the revolution was ongoing. It was mind-blowing. I got to hear personal stories from the live talks and open participation of Lebanese citizens, especially women affected by unjust custody law. These anguished stories of women who were not able to raise their children or even see them have gotten to touch people’s emotions, the attendees, and whoever is curious and passing through the open talk. The stories were emotional, witty, profane, and often humorous, showcasing the legendary sarcasm that Lebanese rely on to cope with a highly dysfunctional state. As an NGO, we got to showcase a summary of the proposed personal status code in a short video of which I had a minor role of being part of its production. I felt involved and happy to be part of something big that may influence the lives of many Lebanese and non-Lebanese citizens if it were to come true one day.
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ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS:
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As a passionate, confident, and articulate communications professional with a strong foundation in gender advocacy and research in Lebanon. This strong understanding was built through my work with KAFA, The Arab Institute for Women Studies, The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), as well as my education focused on gender studies and psychology. I plan to pursue my career with humanitarian/ human rights fields in research and consultancy.
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L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Your inner strength is capable of defeating your unpleasant fate.
- VICTOR FRANKL
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
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FATEMA NOORUDDIN
My thesis is about sectarianism in a non-sectarian society or a homogenous Muslim society where the majority of the Muslim population believes in one main sect. My case study was Egypt during Morsi’s rule. I chose this topic after living in Egypt for four years where I was pursuing my undergraduate studies. I chose Morsi’s rule because his era was marked with an increase in sectarian violence in Egypt. I also wanted to base my analysis on socialization and securitization theories.
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B I O Country: Bahrain Major: M.A. in International Affairs Experience: Research Intern. - Adyan Foundation in the Institute of Citizenship & Diversity Management (NGO), Lebanon Graduate Research Assistant - Department of Social Sciences, LAU
Graduating from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, Fatema Nooruddin pursued her Graduate studies at LAU where she graduated in Spring 2020 with Master of Arts in International Affairs. During her studies, Fatema was exposed to a multicultural environment; she was enrolled in an exchange program at Kathmandu University in Nepal in April 2018 and got a study abroad semester at American University DC in Spring 2017. Fatema’s career portfolio is rich and diversified: She worked for the Ministry of Interior-General Directorate of Traffic in Bahrain, she also worked for LAU, Department of Social Science and Adyan Foundation as Research Assistant and Research Intern respectively.
T H E S I S
T I T L E :
From Sectarian Socialization to Violent Socialization: A Case Study of the Politics of Securitization in Morsi’s Egypt
Diversity Student Assistant - The American University in Cairo’s Diversity & Advocacy Office
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Nothing will work unless you do.
- MAYA ANGELOU
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Bassel Salloukh
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
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HRAG DEDEYAN
My thesis is titled “Explaining Regional Alignment Choices in the South Caucasus: The Cases of Armenia & Georgia”. Coming from Armenian origins, I always wondered why Armenia, under successive administrations, always followed the Russian-led path. I wanted to compare that to Georgia’s case. The two countries shared a fairly similar historic past and geopolitical milieu; however, Tbilisi was able to orient itself toward the western hemisphere while Yerevan forged closer relations with Moscow. I wanted to understand the reasoning behind these varying foreign alignment choices.
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PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
B I O Graduating from LAU with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/ International Affairs followed by Master of Arts in International Affairs, Hrag was able to improve his critical understanding in the theoretical, practical, legal and ethical dimensions of international relations. Putting theory into practice, Hrag underwent internships in different renowned institutions: he was appointed as Research intern at United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Hrag is also a holder of a list of certificates: Distinction List- LAU; Certificate of Excellence – The Goguikian Foundation; Certificate of Recognition – LAU Model United Nations and others.
Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in International Affairs Experience: Research Intern. - UNDP Public Sector Recruitment Officer The Goguikian Foundation Research Intern. - Regional Studies Center (RSC) News Analyst - President of Armenia’s Office
F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
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The International Affairs MA program at LAU offered courses that focused on theoretical frameworks and paradigms in general, as well as courses that applied those theoretical frameworks on real-life scenarios. The application of an abstract theory on different states and regions in different periods gave us a deeper understanding of how theories are formulated and applied, in addition to how theories change and transform over time.
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I am considering a policy-oriented track to foster my practical experience in different fields of social research.
T H E S I S
Hrag Dedeyan is a true success story of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program. I had taught Hrag during his undergraduate years. But he exploded intellectually in my graduate seminars. He wrote a dazzling MA thesis, one that marries theory and case studies in a beautiful way.
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ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS:
T I T L E :
Explaining Regional Alignment Choices in the South Caucasus: The Case of Armenia & Georgia
- DR. BASSEL F. SALLOUKH
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Always lead by example.
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F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Bassel Salloukh
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
ISRAA HASHEM
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My research project is a theoretical paper in the field of environmental and resource economics, and it tackles the idea of how we can price efficiently fossil fuels in the context of climate change. I arrive at policy implications that should be of concern to the global community as to start treating the environment as a scarce asset. My research results call for environmental policy at the international level by agencies such as UNFCCC, and such a policy must aim at internalizing the scarcity price of the environment in fossil fuel pricing.
B I O Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in Applied Economics Experience: Intern. - ESCWA Research Assistant - Economics Department, LAU
Israa pursued her higher education studies at LAU with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Teaching Diploma followed by Master of Arts in Applied Economics with a GPA of 3.96/4. Enjoying strong background in the skills of logic, reasoning, critical thinking, Israa secured her internship at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and contributed to the Fiscal Policy Review of Arab States 2019 and her participation was acknowledged. Israa showed an interest in community service and leadership programs in Lebanon and overseas. She joined the Youth Leadership Program an initiative by UNDP and participated in the World Youth Forum Week in Egypt in December 2019. In addition to participating in many other programs and initiatives.
P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
The Economics of Climate Change
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Walid Marrouch
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F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:
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Ideally, the current Lebanese economic crisis must give rise to effective public policies to mitigate the accompanying potential risks. Yet, whether we will see such policies, it profoundly depends on the ruling class. I have lately joined the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) by UNDP Lebanon. It is a leadership program that gathers promising youth leaders from all over Lebanon and helps them work on projects that target solutions in the context of the UN 2030 agenda. I think my project will promote supporting the agriculture sector in Lebanon as this can be one vital step to help the economy recover from its economic crisis.
INTERNSHIP AND NETWORKING:
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During my internship at UN-ESCWA, I had the opportunity to join the work on a comprehensive project on how Arab states may enhance their public finance allocations. Taking part in this project has enhanced my theoretical understanding of various issues in economics and has acquainted me with additional practical experience in the field. Also, it has fostered my ability to work in a diverse environment.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS:
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The focus will be on policy-oriented pathway. My target is to work in the MENA region in the field of economic development in the context of the UN 2030 agenda.
Israa came to our program from the math department. Israa has shown a great deal of curiosity in tackling understudied economic problems. This led her to write her MA paper on an unresolved problem in natural resource economics related to the timely topic of climate change and its links to fossil fuels. This paper is now submitted to a top field journal in environmental and resource economics. Based on her excellent graduate work, Israa was admitted, with a full scholarship, to pursue her Ph.D. degree in Economics at Concordia University in fall 2020.
- DR. WALID MARROUCH
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L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The Leader adjusts the sails.
- JOHN MAXWELL
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
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ANAS DIAB
Happiness Amongst the Youth in the Post Arab Spring Era Evidence from a Youth Survey. The reason to choose this topic is that the region passed by many critical incidents and one of them is the Arab spring. That is, it would be an addition to the literature to study the happiness drivers in the Arab region among an important segment in the society which is the youth. Almost thirty variables were analyzed to study their impact on happiness.
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PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
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B I O Country: Palestinian Refugee in Lebanon Major: M.A. in Applied Economics Experience: Research Intern. - ESCWA Intern. - Fransabank Intern. - First National Bank, FNB
Earning Bachelor of Science in Business concentrating on Banking and Finance with Distinction, and Master of Arts in Applied Economics at LAU, Anas developed skills in the field of financial analysis, as well as managerial skills in the money and commodities’ markets which helped him land an internship in multinational institutions like the. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA). During his internship at ESCWA, was assigned to work on two projects: The Social Expenditure Monitor (SEM) and The Fiscal Policy Review of Arab States 2019. Anas’ contribution was duly acknowledged in the ESCWA’s publication: The Fiscal Policy Review of Arab States 2019.
F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
When I reflect on my two years in the MEPI TLG program in LAU, I conclude that the experience prepared me in unpredictable ways for my career. Through the series of workshops, sessions and internship, I was pushed to challenge myself to meet the required goals, and through my perseverance and hard work I succeeded in reaching them.
P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
Happiness Amongst the Youth on the Post Arab Spring Era: Evidence from a Youth Surbey
I had the pleasure to have Anas Diab as my student in Applied Econometrics I. I was also his thesis advisor. Anas is a hard worker who provides all the necessary efforts to finish the tasks. Anas is an example of students who overcome troubles and challenges with persistence. I salute him!
- DR. ALI FAKIH
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
- ALBERT EINSTEIN
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Ali Fakih
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S U M M E R G R A D U A T E S 2 0 2 0
CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
ABRAR ABDULLA
B I O Country: Bahrain Major: M.A. in International Affairs Experience: Researcher - The Common Space Initiative, Lebanon Public Relations - Ministry of Labor & Social Development, Bahrain
Abrar moved across different countries to complete her educational experience. She went to study abroad at The American University D.C in Washington in 2017. Then she moved to Egypt where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the American University in Cairo in Spring 2018 through Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. Afterward, Abrar flew to Lebanon where she was enrolled at LAU and completed her studies in International Affairs and got her Master’s degree through the same program. Similarly, Abrar had the chance interning abroad which helped her develop a global network, an essential asset for her career.
Accountant - The Agriculture Center For Vocational Training, Bahrain
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Revisiting Institutions: Intersectional Feminist Institutionalism and the Question of Including Women Expatriate (Migrant) Domestic Workers in Bahrain’s Public Space. Domestic work has always been regarded as a precarious marginalized form of labor due to global institutional limitations, including the racialization of domestic work and the gendered division of labor. The Gulf states have been major beneficiaries of the migrant domestic workers. However, according to the literature, lots of migrant domestic workers live in dire situations in need of substantial protective measures. Several scholarly contributions highlight the case of migrant domestic workers in the Gulf states, but most of the academic work produced on the workers’ situation in Bahrain is outdated. Therefore, I intended to use the intersectional feminist institutionalism approach to highlight how the intersection of gender and other social categorizations such as race can influence the situation of women migrant domestic workers. My research questions are: How do Bahrain’s formal and informal institutions interact to facilitate the inclusion of women migrant domestic workers in the public space? To what extent the intersectional feminist institutionalism approach is insightful in explaining the nexus between the Bahraini institutions and the inclusion of women migrant domestic workers?
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T H E S I S
F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
T I T L E :
Intersectional Feminist Institutionalism and the Question of Including Women Expatriate Domestic Workers in Bahrain’s Public Space
I was so thrilled when Abrar came to my office in Byblos to ask me to be her supervisor. Abrar was keen on bridging migration studies and international relations, a research endeavor I quite enjoy. Throughout our work together, Abrar has shown great interest in theory-driven research and intellectual discussions. Her dissertation on intersectionality, institutions and women migrant workers promises to be a fine contribution to the literature. I so much enjoyed our stimulating conversations! I could not help but notice, that despite the turbulent academic year we have had, Abrar has shown a lot of poise and maturity in her interactions.
- DR. TAMIRACE FAKHOURY F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury 39
INTERNSHIP AND NETWORKING:
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There were several benefits to the internship. As a researcher, I was able to develop my analytical skills, as I was always exposed to different points of view, and I was required to report on them. In addition, I have gained linguistic benefits. Most of the work that I have been doing was conducted in Arabic. It has been really helpful to practice writing in Arabic in a professional setting. Besides that, the daily interactions that I have, like interacting with the taxi drivers and then with my co-workers, have added to my knowledge on Lebanon and the critical developments it is going through and how it affects each individual in a different way depending on their socioeconomic background. These interactions have allowed me to improve my communication, networking, and debating skills. Besides that, as the office location is in downtown Beirut, Nejmeh Square, I was directly exposed to the protests, the blocking of roads, and the intensified security measures in the area. This was even before the October 17 protests erupted. The security forces have redirected me several times to enter from a different side of Nejmeh Square because of potential protests or parliamentary sessions occurring on certain days. After October 17, I was not allowed to enter the workplace unless I had a security permit. I stopped going to the office when the situation was very risky; yet, I was required to complete the tasks from home, which I have managed to submit on time. After several weeks, I was able to return to work by acquiring a permit from the organization. These times taught me the importance of balancing my anticipation and expectations as an intern and the reality I am facing. I learned to be more flexible and to adapt to the environment surrounding me to ensure efficient production of work.
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I only referred to research on how pandemics could increase the possibility of marginalization and exploitation of women migrant domestic workers. Forms of exploitation include, but not limited to, physical and sexual abuse, long working hours with no rest, not receiving their wages, and more. Also, often, it is difficult for migrant domestic workers to access healthcare services without the permission of their employers.
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PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
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CHALLENGES:
I have attended the fourth conference on “Power, Borders, and Ecologies in Arab Societies: Practices and Imaginaries” that was held on April 12, 2019. This conference aimed to highlight new forms of gendered resistance, through the deconstruction of the term resistance per se. This will allow scholars to put forward more equal academic frameworks, challenging the conventional mainstream academic discourses. The panel discussion was intriguing and fruitful as it presented how academia is shifting to discussing the intersection of gender in different fields. One of the topics presented was “Gendered Resistance and the Body in Female Specific Places in Egypt “ صصخملا نكامألا يف دسجلا و ةردنجملا ةمواقملاby Mai Abo Al Dahab, a researcher on the intersection of architecture and sociology. Her paper sheds light on female resistance in females-only health centers in New Cairo, a relatively newly built city, and its implications on gendered relations. Space is not a mere physical entity; instead, it is a place where identity and power are negotiated continuously. Therefore, as women visit only-women health centers, they claim that these spaces allow them to have more privacy and freedom, away from men’s judgments, accusing women of looking inappropriate and indecent. Another topic was on “The Egyptian Women in a Transitional Phase: Resisting Female Gentile Mutilation (FGM)” لا ةأرلاty ةيرصhfkjdk يفogjfkkjرtةلduusawed, by Salma Abo Hussain. Her research focused on the medicalization of the practice of Female Gentile Mutilation (FGM) in Egypt as a major reason leading to the persistence of the practice among different social classes, regardless of its health risks and social hazards. The medicalization of FGM allowed for the practice to be considered modern. Whereas in fact, modernization overlooked the aspect of gendered practices and attitudes, especially in non-Western contexts.
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.
- PETE HOEKSTRA
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH PROJECT:
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FATIMA HALLAL
The topic of this paper covers the translation of the Women, Peace, and Security 1325 agenda in the MENA region into National Action Plans (NAP). Taking the Lebanese NAP as a case study, the report reviews how women and their (in)securities are constructed in these strategic action plans. The report’s objective is to review how women’s involvement in the peace process requires changes in linguistically-produced structures that devalues women in policy documents; to address the textual language and review the hegemonic discourses of participation and protection in the Lebanese NAP, and to examine the empirical aspect of implementing the NAP in Lebanon to tap into the loopholes preventing effective monitoring for the implantation of NAP on a national level.
B I O Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Experience: Research & Advocacy Intern - The National Commission of Lebanese Women, Lebanon Research Consultant - Empatika Research, Lebanon Administrative & Communication Intern - LOYAC, Lebanon
Fatima Hallal has always believed in the correlation between gender equality and peacebuilding, and she reflected this belief in her studies. In 2017, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs, and in 2020 she earned a Master of Arts in Gender Studies, both at LAU. During her academic journey, Hallal made sure to put acquired skills into practice; In summer 2016, Hallal got the opportunity to participate in the Student Leaders Program that took place at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. during which Hallal learned new leadership tools that taught her ways to expand her understanding of civil society and participatory governance. Additionally, Hallal participated in the 10th World Assembly of Religions for Peace in summer 2019, an experience that could prove to be a turning point in Hallal’s advocacy journey. And in December 2019, Hallal participated in the Religions for Peace’s (RFP) Extraordinary Session entitled: Multi-religious and Multi-stakeholder Partnership for Peace and Development in New York City where she took part in the session entitled: “Advancing Multi-stakeholder Partnership to Overcome Gender-based Violence” along with the peace activist Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.
P R O J E C T
T I T L E :
The translation of the Women, Peace, and Security 1325 agenda in the MENA region into National Action Plans (NAP)
The translation of the Women, Peace, and Security 1325 agenda in the MENA region into National Action Plans (NAP)
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
- JOHN F. KENNEDY
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
NADA AL QABILI
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My research thesis is about the so-called rise of sectarian discourse and sect-based attitudes in Yemen. I unpack the conditions that have led to these dynamics by examining transformations in the Yemeni political field over the Longue durée. I was inspired to write about this topic when I was taking a course on comparative Middle Eastern politics during my first semester. I was not satisfied with how the literature on sectarianism handled the Yemeni case and I thought I could make a meaningful contribution by resorting to an alternative framework of analysis.
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B I O Country: Yemen Major: M.A. in International Affairs Experience: Researcher - Carnegie Middle East Center, Lebanon Research Assistant - Amnesty International, Lebanon Administrative Assistant - Media Association for Peace, Lebanon
Born in Yemen, one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East, Nada Al-Qabili grew an interest in interwoven civilizing processes and opened herself up to new cultures; in September 2004, al-Qabili got enrolled in a four-year educational program in Russian at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Yemen where she was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Ministry of Education in Russia. This was only the beginning. Al- Qabili conceived study abroad was a culture catalyst. In 2016, she joined an Exchange Program at the University of Pennsylvania, then she moved to Lebanon where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at AUB, followed by a Master of Arts in International Affairs at LAU. As for the professional experience, Al-Qabili held different positions in renowned and multinational institutions with a focus on research and communication.
T H E S I S
T I T L E :
Rise of Sectarian Discourse & Sect-based Attitudes in Yemen.
F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Bassel Salloukh
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F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
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The MEPI TLG program helped me broaden my local connections and secure an internship at a prestigious think tank in Beirut, which was an invaluable addition to my resume. The program also introduced me to several organizations and NGOs and provided me with the opportunity to connect with them. However, since I am a foreigner, the local connections and internship opportunities that I was provided with were not translated into a job offer. In the future, I think it would be great if the program took into consideration the specific needs and challenges that non-Lebanese face as well as the job market that is available to different candidates and design their networking opportunities accordingly. I think my extracurricular activities and internship experience helped me gain a practical understanding of my field and witness how research is conducted outside academia. It was quite refreshing to be able to transcend the academic bubble to examine day-to-day dynamics and offer pragmatic solutions and insights. There is another world that exists beyond the academic field which operates according to its own set of standards and values. Therefore, it was important to me that I got the chance to experience both worlds.
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INTERNSHIP AND NETWORKING:
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During my internship, I worked with other interns from different countries. The multicultural environment of the NGO helped me to further ameliorate my teamwork skills in a different setting beyond the regular homogeneous milieus.
SUCCESS STORIES:
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Nada is such a theoretically-conscious student. She has this ability to look at theories with fresh eyes. For her MA thesis, she applied the theoretical work of Pierre Bourdieu to the case of sectarianism in Yemen, an incredible achievement in and of itself. The result was astounding, so much so, that I sent a copy of the thesis to a colleague at LSE whose deployment of Bourdieu’s work on post-invasion Iraq had inspired Nada’s work. She has no other option other than publishing an academic article out of her MA, and pursuing a PhD.
I think success should not be determined by a single experience or result; rather, it is how we navigate through the journey which determines our success. For me, the success lies in having gone through a 2-year journey, through which I learned from my past mistakes, acquired new skills, built an amazing bond with great individuals whom I will always refer to as my dearest friends, and opened my mind for new possibilities and outlooks.
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- DR. BASSEL SALLOUKH
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.
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- TOM PETERS
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
“ BAHDJA SEHLI
B I O Country: Algeria Major: M.A. in Migration Studies Experience: Communication Intern - Amel Association, Lebanon
My research thesis draws on the securitization and de-securitization theories to study the media framing of Syrian refugees in the Lebanese newspapers during times of securitization. Additionally, it examines refugees’ self-representations through their narratives. Recently, there have been many securitizing policies and political discourses against Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Taking into account the role of the media in vehiculating those discourses as well as its huge impact on shaping public opinion, it is important to explore media’s engagement with the theme of securitization in the context of the Syrian forced migration. Moreover, the surveyed literature revealed the lack of refugee voices in media content and previous studies. On this basis, it is of particular interest to highlight the agency of Syrian refugees in conveying their voices and producing counter-frames that debunk media misconceptions, and thus, de-securitize their image. Basically, my research stresses refugees’ right to freedom of expression while it calls for fair representation.
PROGRAM’S IMPACT:
Bahdja Sehli worked extensively in developing skills in different areas; she earned a list of certificates upon completing training programs in multimedia, journalism, leadership and cross-cultural exchange. Sehli showed interest in migration and refugee pressing topics, she pursued her higher studies at LAU and earned a Master of Arts in Migration Studies through MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program, preceded by a Bachelor of Arts in English in Algeria.
Graduate Research Assistant - LAU
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Bahdja displayed a deep, multi-faceted analysis of various issues and a broad interest in many. She was always an inquisitive and motivated learner. I also had the privilege of serving as one of the members on her thesis committee.
During my internship, I worked with other interns from different countries. The multicultural environment of the NGO helped me to further ameliorate my teamwork skills in a different setting beyond the regular homogeneous milieus.
T H E S I S
T I T L E :
Voices of Refugees
- DR. MICHELE KELLY
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Leaders are those who empower others.
- BILL GATES
” F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Michele Kelly
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INTERNSHIP AND NETWORKING:
“ F A C U L T Y T E S T I M O N Y
The offered courses in the Migration Studies program presented various interdisciplinary theories and case studies that practically illustrate abstract concepts. Furthermore, some courses organized field trips that helped us understand specific theories and explore their application to real-life scenarios.
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CLASS OF 2019 - 2020
STUDENTS’ REFLECTIONS RESEARCH THESIS:
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SARAH SHMAITILLY
My thesis aims to explore how the displaced Syrians from the middle and upper classes have utilized their economic, social, and cultural capitals in the process of settling in Beirut and their informal integration since 2011. This topic is interesting to me as it is indicative to the social stratification and the inequality migrants face, and to the role the government plays in substantializing this inequality when it comes to the lived experiences of Syrians in Lebanon. The current system enables this, and the Lebanese as a hosting community treat and perceive Syrians from different classes differently. It is important to raise this topic as the literature on the middle- and upper-class Syrians living in Lebanon is very scant, while it is rich with data on working class and poor Syrians which confirms their dire and precarious socio-economic conditions and their limited livelihood resources.
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B I O Country: Lebanon Major: M.A. in Migration Studies Experience: Graduate Assistant - Institute for Migration Studies, LAU Researcher - Consultation & Research Institute (CRI), Lebanon
Holder of Master of Arts in Migration Studies at LAU, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Haigazian University, coupled with two exchange programs at the University of Vienna, Austria and Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, Sarah sought to put acquired theories into practice through holding different roles and responsibilities in several institutions such as the Institute for Migration Studies at LAU, Consultation and Research Institute (CRI) Beirut, and the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Malta.
T H E S I S
T I T L E :
Syrians in Beirut post-2011: Class and Settlement
Migration Governance Fellow - International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Malta Technical Advisor - UNICEF Innovation Labs for Refugees/ Lebanese Association for Development, Lebanon
L E A D E R S H I P Q U O T E
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Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.
- BRIAN TRACY
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F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R : Dr. Paul Tabar
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