Copyright © 2025 Motivate Media Group. All rights reserved.
The Zaha Hadid Foundation partners with the American University of Beirut to support the next generation of architectural talent.
The Zaha Hadid Foundation, a London-based cultural charity established to continue the legacy of the late Dame Zaha Hadid, has announced the launch of the Zaha Hadid Scholars Program at the American University of Beirut (AUB). This new initiative pays tribute to Hadid’s profound commitment to education and her enduring ties to AUB, where she studied mathematics in 1968–69 and received an Honorary Doctorate in 2006.
Set to begin in September 2025, the program will provide full scholarships and additional support for two architecture students each year over the next three academic years. The scholarships will cover the full five-year duration of the undergraduate architecture program at AUB’s Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Selected based on both merit and financial need, these scholars will embody Hadid’s belief in nurturing emerging talent and widening access to architectural education.
Commenting on the establishment of the program, AUB President Fadlo Khuri, MD, said, “The visionary work of our alumna, Zaha Hadid, continues to inspire current generations of students. We are very proud to partner with the Zaha Hadid Foundation on this initiative benefiting bright and deserving architecture students at our university.”
The partnership is especially meaningful given Hadid’s personal and professional connections to AUB. In 2014, she completed the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs on campus—now a landmark of contemporary architecture in Beirut and a testament to her signature fluid aesthetic.
“We are thrilled to be able to honor Zaha’s commitment to emerging and future architectural talent by supporting these students and AUB, a university that was so close to Zaha’s heart. We hope this will be just the beginning of a deepening relationship.”,” noted the Board of Trustees of the Zaha Hadid Foundation.
Beyond the AUB collaboration, the Foundation continues to expand its educational and cultural reach through partnerships with institutions including the Architectural Association and Serpentine Galleries, with more initiatives soon to be announced.
Rooted in Hadid’s trailblazing legacy, the Zaha Hadid Scholars Program stands as a powerful affirmation of her belief in the transformative potential of architecture—and of education as its foundation
IDST’s design invites exploration with a thoughtful blend of artisanal craftsmanship and contemporary style.
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and KCA International are collaborating to launch this new hotel
Roar crafts the PIF Daycare Centre in Riyadh with a calming, sensory-rich environment where design, nature and childhood development come together.
Brush and Switch by Sans Souci bend light in unexpected ways
We speak to Joanna Varettas, Senior Associate Designer at TGP International on the story of Seed & Bloom – a café designed to nurture connection and community engagement
For this year's Downtown Design, Finasi and Pallavi Dean will unveil a bold new installation that speaks the language of material honesty, exceptional craftsmanship, visionary design, and local identity.
This Palm Jumeirah home proves that luxury can be achieved with intention, rather than scale
Here are snippets from the evening.
You can now choose your favourite project from the identity Design Awards 2025 shortlist
The shortlist is revealed for the interior design categories
The Middle East’s leading platform for high-quality contemporary design will showcase a curated mix of international and regional brands, alongside independent designers and studios
Studio Marco Piva has designed the Eden Spa at Excelsior Palace in Rapallo, where architecture, landscape and luxury converge