AKSOB Students Put Soft Skills into Practice in Live Competition
Organized by the Department of Management Studies and led by Dr. Maya Shayya, adjunct assistant professor and soft skills coordinator, in collaboration with the soft skills team, the event reflected AKSOB’s emphasis on experiential learning that prepares students for success beyond the classroom.
“Today’s employers look beyond technical qualifications,” said Dean Dima Jamali. “They seek individuals who can think critically, communicate with confidence, and adapt with purpose, which is exactly what this experience was designed to cultivate.”
Dr. Grace Dagher, associate professor and chair of the Department of Management Studies, echoed that message, underscoring how these capabilities shape long-term career success.
“Strong knowledge builds our graduates, but soft skills—communication, adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence—are what truly set them apart and drive their success,” she said.
The third annual competition unfolded across three segments—TED-style talks, elevator business pitches, and mock interviews—evaluated by a panel of industry professionals, including Lilian Abou Hamdan, human resources manager at L’Oréal Lebanon; Ghassan F. Hammoud (BS ’06), founder and CEO of Yemnak; Marie-Josee Youssef Daibes, people and culture manager at World Vision Lebanon; and Rita Nachar, HR manager at ICC Group.
Across each segment, students were challenged to think quickly, communicate clearly, and respond confidently as judges assessed their performance through a digital scoring system.
Beyond the competitive element, students received direct feedback from professionals, turning each segment into a practical coaching experience rather than a one-way performance.
“Soft skills are often discussed in theory, but this event allows students to practice them in real time, in front of professionals who understand exactly what today’s workplace demands,” said Dr. Shayya.
The final stage introduced audience participation, with voting helping determine the top three business pitches following jury deliberations.
Top honors went to banking and finance major graduates Joseph Makhoul (BA ‘23) for Sports Connect, followed by Cezar Halabi (BA‘21) for Sofra in second place and Anthony Estephan (BA ‘23) for Giftr App in third place.
Additional recognition went to international business graduate Diamony F. Diab (BA ’23), who placed first in the TED-style talks, followed by management graduate Khaled Ghalayini (BA ’23) and marketing graduate Jean-Claude Goul (BA ’25).
In the mock interview segment, Clarissa Fares (BA ’23), a banking and finance graduate, took first place, followed by Evan Kamel (BA ’23), a banking and finance and management graduate, and Abdullah El Hamrawi (BA ’23), a management graduate.
Beyond recognition, the winners earned the opportunity to further develop their ideas through mentorship and coaching from Yemnak.