Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), alumnus, Zakhia Abi Raad (BE’19), was exclusively selected out of 600 applicants by the Erasmus Mundus European Masters for Energy Efficiency as the only Lebanese to be awarded a full scholarship in the Master of ''Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy'' (ME3+).
ME3+ is one of many Masters and PhD programs funded directly by the European Union in order to provide students from all over the world with the opportunity to study in at least three European countries. The program is conducted in Hungary, Italy, and France and targets fresh engineering graduates who are evaluated and selected according to academic merit.
With an academic direction from both, Dr. Najib Metni, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering (FE) and Chairperson at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Charbel Bou Mosleh, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering (FE), Abi Raad’s concentration will focus solely on energy efficiency in buildings and industries as well as data analysis, energy networks, modelling, and management for smart cities and smart grids, and most importantly the integration of renewable energy systems.
Dr. Metni explained, "The mission of the Mechanical Engineering program is to give quality education that enable our graduates to join world-class graduate programs and succeed in challenging professional careers."
“The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is a very lucrative program as it not only provides quality education but also great international experience and networking, this is why people from all over the world apply”, Abi Raad said. He then added, “Additionally, not everyone accepted for the Masters is awarded the full scholarship with stipend so the admission phase is competitive.”
Dr. Bou Mosleh expressed his support for his student, "Zakhia is one of the brightest students I have had the privilege to teach. I am sure he will excel and make NDU proud!"
Zakhia aims to work alongside governmental agencies as well as impactful companies on energy transition projects to reduce carbon emission and integrate new environmentally friendly energy sources to transition into a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Erasmus programs with their full details, application criteria, deadlines, etc. are available at this link.