Once a Fellow, Always a Fellow: Four Imagine Scholarship Recipients at the Commencement Ceremony

On June 12, hundreds of students celebrated the end of their academic journey at HEC Paris. Among those were Lima, Nikita, Zaid and Gal, all recipients of the Imagine Fellows Program. Created by the HEC Foundation in 2022, this scholarship provides financial assistance and supports selected Fellows in their integration on the HEC Paris campus.

The Commencement Ceremony on June 12 was more than a formal celebration - it was a deeply emotional milestone for four exceptional students. Lima, Zaid, Nikita and Gal, stood proudly amongst their peers, not just as future graduates, but as symbols of courage and resilience.

They had to leave their homes due to war and or instability. They have almost completed their master degrees thanks to the life-changing Imagine fellowship that offered more than financial support - it offered hope. Though not all of them could celebrate this moment with their families, their presence at the ceremony was an achievement that transcended borders.

Unique perspectives shaped by adversity and fueled by ambition

Lima has pursued a Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation. Her journey started in Afghanistan and has been marked by unimaginable challenges — from fleeing danger to starting over in a new country. Her thesis, “Corporate Social Responsibility and Refugee Inclusion: A Case Study of French Multinational Companies” is a powerful reflection of her own reality. Through her work, she gives voice to refugees like herself and urges companies to act as agents of inclusion.

Zaid, finishing his Master in Economics and Finance, handed his thesis on “The Structural Factors that Affect the Dominance of International Currency.” He was born in Syria, a country where financial instability has defined everyday life, and is determined to understand the mechanisms behind global economic power.

Nikita is about to walk away with a Master in International Finance. He has chosen to focus his thesis on a subject at the heart of current global uncertainty: “Inflation Hedges: What Assets Are Best?”. Coming from Ukraine and against the backdrop of war, his academic work investigates how individuals and institutions can protect themselves against economic turbulence - a timely and relevant topic both in theory and in practice.

Gal, from Israel, will complete her Master in Marketing with a thesis titled “How Can Branding Influence French Consumers' Acceptance of Cultured Meat?” Her work tackles one of the most urgent challenges of our time - sustainable food systems - through the lens of consumer behavior and innovation.

Towards a hopeful future

Though their backgrounds differ, our four Fellows share a common truth: their lives were disrupted, but they refused to let that define their futures. This should never be the choice - between education and safety, between dreams and displacement. Young, talented people deserve the chance to study, to grow, and to contribute to a world that values peace over conflict. Thanks to the HEC Imagine Fellowship, these students could succeed, complete their Master, and look ahead to a more stable future.

We now hope they can one day return to peaceful countries, where they can use what they have learned to help rebuild and heal their communities. Until then, their story is ours to carry forward.

Once a Fellow, always a Fellow.