Preparing for the Future You Can’t Yet See

November 9, 2026

“Whatever happens, keep going. You never know what life will bring you or what path life chooses for you.” 

It was a message that resonated throughout the room as students from LAU’s Beirut and Byblos campuses gathered at Irwin Hall to meet Mr. Nabil Haddad whose scholarship support has helped many of them pursue their education. Accompanied by his sister Mrs. Rima Naamani, Mr. Haddad spent the morning in conversation with students, sharing lessons from a career that unfolded in ways he never anticipated. 

Organized by the Office of Advancement, the gathering was the second in a series bringing donors and student beneficiaries together to exchange stories and perspectives. Welcoming guests to the Faculty Lounge, Vice President for Advancement Juhi “Ginger” Dagli reflected on one of the less obvious benefits of a university education: preparing students for opportunities and directions they may not yet anticipate. “Education is not about having every step planned from the start,” she said. “It is about developing the confidence to explore new paths and the judgment to recognize them when they appear.” The conversation that followed would bring that idea vividly to life. 

Through the Nabil Zouheir Haddad Annual Scholarship Grant, established in 2015, Mr. Haddad has helped students pursue an LAU education while building a lasting connection with the university community. Reflecting on his university years, Mr. Haddad recalled being “programmed” to become a doctor. Yet it was an unexpected encounter with economics that would ultimately shape the course of his life. He pursued that interest, eventually obtaining a Master’s degree in Economics before joining friends who were building a company focused on specialized batteries. One opportunity led to another, and ultimately carried him into engineering, telecoms and energy solutions. Today, as founder and CEO of IPT PowerTech Group, he leads a global company operating across the telecom and energy sectors. Looking back on that unlikely path, he often shares a simple observation with students: “I have a Master’s degree in Economics and I am doing Engineering.” 

Make the Mistakes and Learn from Them

Despite building a successful global business, Mr. Haddad acknowledges that he did not have all the answers as a student.  

That is why he regularly returns to the same message when speaking with students: “Whatever happens, keep going. Give it your best shot,” he said.  

When one student asked what advice he would give for avoiding mistakes, Mr. Haddad’s answer prompted smiles around the room. 

“Don’t avoid mistakes. Make the mistakes and learn from them.” 

The response reflected a broader belief that a university education is about far more than technical knowledge alone. It is about developing the adaptability and confidence to navigate an ever-changing world. This philosophy closely mirrors LAU’s mission of preparing students not only for successful careers, but for lives of purpose and lifelong learning. 

Making Ambition Possible

For the students in attendance, the scholarship has done more than ease financial pressures. It has given them the freedom to focus on their ambitions. 

That resonates with scholarship beneficiaries such as Hani Jaber, a second-year biology student who hopes to pursue medicine while conducting research at LAU. The scholarship, he explained, helped relieve a significant financial burden on his family.  

“I am really thankful for him,” said Hani. “We were struggling. My father was obliged to take part of his wages from the school and put it in my fees. But Mr. Nabil Haddad’s scholarship really did lighten things up and allowed me to be stress-free and focus on my education.”  

Like many recipients, Hani hopes one day to use his education to serve others. Growing up in Aley, he saw firsthand the need for accessible healthcare and modern medical services. “My community has done so much for me,” he said. “At least I can give back to my community.”  

For Theresa El Helou, a third-year marketing student minoring in digital marketing, the scholarship has helped transform aspirations into attainable goals. 

“It relieved this financial pressure off of me and my family and it helped me to focus more on my studies and to excel academically,” she said. “My dream is becoming true.”  

For Mr. Haddad, supporting students is not simply an act of generosity. “It is an obligation,” he said. “I don’t consider that I am helping. I consider this is what one should do.” 

Through the scholarship program, he has helped students pursue an LAU education and the opportunities that come with it. Just as importantly, he hopes to instill in future generations the same commitment to supporting others and strengthening their communities. 

The gathering offered students a chance to thank the person whose generosity had helped shape their university journey. It also offered Mr. Haddad something in return: an opportunity to meet the young people whose determination and aspirations continue to inspire his support.