The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) at the University of Luxembourg was delighted to host its third annual Partnership Event on 26 November 2024 at the Museum of Modern Art (MUDAM) in Luxembourg.
Building bridges between academia and industry
This event serves as a vital link between academia, business, and civil society, helping to foster knowledge exchange, talent development, and collaboration. Each year, the Partnership Event brings together over 100 participants, including University representatives, private and institutional partners to celebrate academic excellence and confer awards to the Faculty’s top-performing students. This year, FDEF proudly introduced two new awards sponsored by HSBC and Advanzia Bank, bringing the total number of prizes to 26.
Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice Rector for Partnerships and International Relations, opened the evening by praising the award winners for their academic achievements and underlining the importance of partnerships for the entire University community. Prof. Katalin Ligeti, Dean of FDEF, highlighted the impact of collaboration between academia and industry, stating,
‟ Our partnerships build a bridge between the academic world and the professional one. We exchange ideas, develop programmes, and analyse results together. We are continually working to create the best possible opportunities for today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders.”
Dean of FDEF
Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice Rector for Partnerships and International Relations
“We need you. Your values, your ambitions, and your dreams.”
The award ceremony offered FDEF’s esteemed partners an opportunity to share insights on the value of their partnerships and their impact on talent development, their organisations, and society at large. Patrick Schon, Audit Partner at PwC, noted that the firm conducted multiple interviews with University of Luxembourg students this year, resulting in more than 40 hires. Kahina El Hajji, HR Director at the Bank of China, shared that since 2015, the bank was happy to welcome 15 University of Luxembourg students into its ranks.
The representatives from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, PICTET, ATOZ, the Economist Club of Luxembourg, and other partners thanked the University for cultivating exceptional talent. Luxembourg Stock Exchange CFO Pierre Schoonbroodt, addressing students, said, “We need you. Your values, your ambitions, and your dreams.” Florent Thill, Partner at KPMG, underscored the critical role of academic innovation in driving progress in the banking sector, while HSBC’s CEO, Emanuele Vignoli, inspired students to “stay curious, invest in themselves, and never stop learning.”
Pierre Schoonbroodt, CFO Luxembourg Stock Exchange
Each awardee was invited on stage to receive their prize from the corresponding sponsors. Happy to be given this opportunity, the laureates expressed gratitude towards the award sponsors, professors, supervisors and their families. HSBC awardee Arta Sinamati thanked the University for its “top-notch education,” while ATOZ laureate Elizaveta Kozlova shared, “There’s nothing more satisfying than recognition for our hard work.”
HSBC awardee Arta Sinamati
Following the ceremony, participants enjoyed a networking cocktail at MUDAM’s café, where they reconnected, exchanged ideas, and celebrated achievements.
FDEF extends its heartfelt gratitude to all partners for their continuous support and congratulates this year’s award winners on their achievements.
2024 FDEF Student Winners
Bachelor
- Portabella Excellence & Mobility Award for the Bachelor student with the highest Grade Point Average during their mobility – Beatriz MARTINEZ GARCIA
- Portabella Academic Excellence Award for the Bachelor student with the highest Grade Point Average – Axelle DEMESSE
- Prix du Barreau de Luxembourg pour le Major de Promotion du Bachelor en Droit – Anas JANDOUBI
Master
- The ABBL Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Banking track – Jerry Jacques NOTERMANS
- KPMG Award for the best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Banking track – Jerry Jacques NOTERMANS
- The Luxembourg Stock Exchange Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Digital Transformation in Finance track – Laurent LUDWIG
- The Bank of China Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Digital Transformation in Finance track – Nigar VALIZADA
- The Ministère de L’Économie/STATEC Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Financial Economics track – Konstantina MANOLIOUDI
- The Investas Prize for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Financial Economics track – Benjamin Rockson BAIDOO
- The ALFI Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Investment Management track – Diogo Rafael SILVA SOARES
- PwC Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Investment Management track – Diogo Rafael SILVA SOARES
- The ACA Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Risk Management track – Miranda Arlene BOYDSTUN
- Advanzia Bank Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Risk Management track – Tomaso REGHELIN
- The Chair in Sustainable Finance Award for the Best student of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Sustainable Finance track – Ekaterina KLEPIKOVA
- The LuxFLAG Award in Memory of Sachin S. Vankalas for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Finance and Economics, Sustainable Finance track – Ekaterina KLEPIKOVA
- The Economist Club Luxembourg Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Quantative Economics and Finance – Maria Teresa SMOCZYNSKA
- The Economist Club Luxembourg Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master of Science in Quantative Economics and Finance – Kareen Yuanhua XU
- The Chamber of Commerce Prize for the Best Business Plan of the Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Ksenia BARANOCHNIKOVA
- HSBC Award for the Best Master Thesis of the Master in Wealth Management – Arta SINAMATI
- The Pictet Prize for the Best student of the Master in Wealth Management – Tom HOFFMANN
- Prix du Barreau de Luxembourg pour le Major de Promotion du Master en Droit – Vedran KRUNIC
- ATOZ Award for Academic Excellence in Tax for the Best student of the Master in European and International Tax Law – Elizaveta KOZLOVA
- Prix Josef Azizi – Giulia AREDDU
- Prix de La Fondation Du Mérite Européen for the Best Master Thesis on the topic of European Law – Laura Marie BURCHERI
- Germain Dondelinger Award for the Best Master Thesis, which fulfills the criteria of scientific and innovative approach to the thesis problem – Maria Teresa SMOCZYNSKA
Partnership development
The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance actively seeks out meaningful partnerships with companies and institutions in Luxembourg. These partnerships anchor the FDEF’s research within the financial centre and business community, the start-up ecosystem, the European institutions and other sectors of Luxembourg industry and society. As well as promoting closer ties between research and practice, they offer exciting opportunities to the best of our students.
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All images ©Sophie Margue