HEC Paris Celebrates Student Achievements with Annual Foundation Awards
On February 10th, HEC Paris held its annual Foundation Awards ceremony at the HEC Alumni headquarters in Paris. This event recognizes outstanding student research and theses that contribute significantly to the field of management sciences. The ceremony showcased the diverse backgrounds of HEC students and the high-quality instruction they receive, underscoring the school's commitment to fostering academic excellence. The Foundation Awards spotlight some of the exceptional talents at the school.
Award Winners and Their Impactful Work
The awards recognized contributions across various categories, each overseen by jury members who are leaders in their fields. Candice Bedouet from the Grande Ecole and Masters program won for her thesis on integrating generative artificial intelligence into creative processes and artistic creation. Jury President Mathieu Wallich-Petit, from KPMG France, noted the thesis's innovative approach to technology.
Mehdi Laanaite, who joined via video conference, received the Bernard-André Parent Award for his research on how artificial intelligence can empower the renewable energy sector. Another standout was MBA student Arjun Shivach, who discussed effective strategies for shipping companies dealing with the adoption of fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.
Nicolette Gopaul, also from the MBA program, was recognized for her capstone project, "Empowerher - Supporting Menstrual Health for Educational Equity." This project highlights HEC Paris's focus on social impact and educational equality.
Asefeh Defaee from the Executive MBA won for her insightful examination of strategies to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability in Pakistan, offering practical advice for the healthcare startup EZShifa.
Charlotte Chauvel received the award for the best professional thesis in the Executive Master program, with her detailed study on turning around a mid-sized business in crisis, focusing on the industrial vehicle rental company FRAIKIN.
A Celebration of Knowledge and Mentorship
Delphine Colson, Executive Director of the HEC Foundation, spoke about the awards' purpose: to promote excellence and to share the knowledge generated at HEC Paris with a broader audience. "The HEC Foundation supports HEC Paris's mission to create the best possible environment for our researchers and talented students and to make the knowledge they produce accessible to everyone," she said.
The event also highlighted the role of HEC faculty in guiding students through their studies. Notable attendees included Brad Harris, Associate Dean of MBA Programs, and Franck Ceddaha, Professor of Finance and Academic Director of Executive Education, who came to support the students' accomplishments.
The ceremony not only celebrated this year's class but also aimed to inspire future students to strive for excellence in their academic and professional lives. The HEC Paris Foundation Awards reflect the school's ongoing commitment to academic excellence and its role in preparing tomorrow's leaders.