The RHU Design Department in College of Arts and Sciences proudly hosted the 2025 Adobe National Championship on April 25–26, 2025. This prestigious event, organized in collaboration with ITLS and Certiport, brought together Lebanon’s brightest high school and university students in the field of Graphic Design to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: representing Lebanon at the Adobe World Championship in Orlando, Florida (July 27–30, 2025). RHU’s own students led the competition, with Ms. Alaa Ghannam earning first place and the honor of representing RHU and Lebanon at the Adobe World Championship in Orlando, Florida and Ms. Reina El Chami, securing second place, reinforcing the university’s position as a national leader in creative and digital education.
The Championship was a true celebration of creative brilliance, technical mastery, and innovative thinking. Participants were challenged to create a social media post for GAME Lebanon, a dynamic NGO, within a limited timeframe of three hours, a task that showcased their skills using Adobe’s leading design software. Over two exciting days, the RHU community witnessed firsthand the exceptional talent, passion, and hard work of these young creatives, reaffirming RHU’s position as a hub for excellence and innovation in education.
On Saturday, prior to the awards ceremony, all submitted designs were displayed in a mini-exhibition, where guests voted for their favorite entry. The winner of the People’s Choice Award was announced live during the ceremony, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
During the ceremony, several distinguished speakers delivered inspiring messages. Ms. Serene Srouji, Chairperson of RHU’s Design Department, opened the event by expressing pride in RHU’s role in nurturing creative talent and encouraged students to continue pushing design boundaries. Mr. Tarek Al Bacha from ITLS highlighted the value of professional certification and praised RHU’s meticulous organization, thanking the judges for their dedication. Representing the Lebanese Graphic Design Syndicate, Ms. Rihab Zebian spoke about the strong partnership with RHU and the Syndicate’s role in supporting young designers through workshops and job opportunities. Mr. Moustafa Salloum from GAME Lebanon commended the high quality of submissions and announced that the winning design would be featured on billboards for GAME’s upcoming court opening, offering the winner national visibility.
In his keynote speech, RHU President Dr. Said Ladki emphasized the university’s award-winning Graphic Design program and spoke about the importance of resilience and a winning mindset. Dr. Ladki encouraged the participants to stay determined, sharpen their skills, and pursue their dreams with passion. “Your achievements are a testament to your dedication and the strong support system that surrounds you. Today marks a milestone in your journey toward becoming innovators and leaders in the creative world,” he said.
At the closing ceremony, winners across all competition categories were proudly announced. The People’s Choice Award went to Ms. Jana Soussi from RHU. In the High School Category, Huda Joujou from Makassed Vocational and Technical School secured first place, followed by Omar Tabbara from the Lebanese International School (LIS) in second, and Nour Hamdan from Al Qualaa School in third. In the University Category, Rayan Bashasha from RHU won first place, with Marwa Maatouk from the Lebanese International University (LIU) taking second place, and Lara Dia from Père Antonine University coming in third. For the Overall Adobe National Championship, RHU students dominated, with Alaa Ghannam earning first place, Reina El Chami taking second, and Lara Hamouche from Al Qualaa School placing third.
RHU is especially proud that its graphic design students achieved first and second place, highlighting RHU’s excellence in design education and marking a major milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to empower creative leaders. First place winner Ms. Alaa Ghannam will represent Lebanon at the Adobe World Championship in Orlando with an all-expenses-paid trip. Ms. Reina El Chami, who placed second, will also participate in the global event with sponsored accommodation.
This outstanding event not only celebrated the incredible achievements of Lebanon’s emerging creative talents but also marked a significant milestone in their journey toward becoming global leaders in the field of design. This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of RHU’s students and faculty in elevating the Design Department to new heights. Congratulations to all certified participants. Your creativity, hard work, and passion for design have set a new standard of excellence at RHU!