Walking Beside Students: The Ripple Effect of LAU’s Rafeek Program
At LAU, the power of education extends far beyond academic degrees. It weaves hope, resilience, and a growing culture of giving back into students’ lives. A shining example of this is the Rafeek Program, established by Wissam Moukahal (BS ’95).
Moukahal exemplifies the spirit of LAU alumni who give back with purpose and heart. Through the Z. Moukahal Foundation and the transformative Rafeek Program, he has empowered hundreds of students not only to pursue their education but to thrive beyond it with mentorship and career support.
His unwavering commitment to mentorship, access, and long-term impact reflects a deep belief in education as a force for personal and national renewal, making him a true companion on every student’s journey.
“Rafeek,” meaning companion in Arabic, is not just a name. It is a philosophy of walking alongside students, not only by supporting their academic journeys but by guiding them into the world with confidence, purpose, and community.
For Moukahal, giving back has never been about writing a check and stepping away. It’s about showing up, again and again, and walking alongside students through some of the most defining years of their lives.
“I’ve seen how education can change lives: Not just for individuals, but for whole communities,” Moukahal says. “That’s what inspired me to start the foundation.”
A proud LAU alumnus and now a board member, strategic advisor, and Founder & Chairman of the Z. Moukahal Foundation, he founded the program with a clear goal in mind: To give deserving students in Lebanon access to the same opportunities that shaped his journey.
Through the Rafeek program, he has made it his mission to offer not just support, but hope, and to create a model for giving back that goes far beyond financial aid.
Rawan Natour and Omar Chaar: Paying It Forward Together
Rawan Natour joined the Rafeek Program without knowing what to expect. With Moukahal’s mentorship on job applications and CV building, she secured a role at Omnicom. Later, she referred Omar Chaar, another Rafeek scholar, to the company.
For Chaar, who lost his father while he was at university, the program provided hope and emotional support. Now a Senior Programmatic Executive at Omnicom, he shares, “It was the first time I felt truly supported. It gave me the strength to keep going.” Today, Chaar also mentors other students, reflecting the program’s ripple effect.
Mostapha Zeort and Hiyam Hashash: Startup Builders and Lifelong Mentors
For Mostapha Zeort, Rafeek’s impact was far beyond financial. “The special thing about this program is not money. It is Wissam. He was there whenever I needed career advice,” he says.
For Hiyam Hashash, the program opened doors to meaningful professional connections, most notably through fellow scholar Zeort, who helped her take a major step in her career by joining Infoquest, a network of experts in the Middle East.
Mazen Kassar: Structured Mentorship for Big Four Success
Mazen Kassar describes joining Rafeek as life-changing. Moukahal helped him build a clear plan, from securing an internship at KPMG Lebanon to landing a role at KPMG Dubai, where he works today while pursuing professional certifications.
“This is real impact. It’s not just about helping students get jobs; it’s about giving them hope, direction, and the confidence to build something bigger,” he says.
“The special thing about this program is not money. It is Wissam.” – Mostapha Zeort
Looking Ahead: The Ripple Effect of Companionship
For Moukahal, the Rafeek Program is not about self-promotion but about creating impact and building a community of companions who support each other through every stage of life.
As Natour says, it is about meeting people “who could become part of your life beyond graduation,” while Chaar adds that such help “truly changes lives. I’m living proof that even a little support can make a big difference.”
That is what makes Rafeek more than a scholarship. It is a legacy of mentorship, resilience, and giving back, a community walking together into the future, lifting others as they rise.
Today, the Rafeek Program is a nationwide initiative supporting 750 students across six reputable organizations, including universities and schools.