On 21 April 2022, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance was happy to host the fourth meeting between les Amis de l’Université and students who have received an award through the non-profit organisation which strives to promote teaching and research at the University while building links between the academic community and society at large. Les Amis de l’Université, presided by University of Luxembourg former Rector and Rector Emeritus Rolf Tarrach, considers support to students experiencing financial or social hardship to be an integral part of its mission as well.

The festive event brought together scholarship and prize winners, University of Luxembourg, les Amis de l’Université, as well as representatives from some of the organisations and foundations which sponsor the various prizes and scholarships. Prof. Rolf Tarrach opened the ceremony by welcoming the participants. He reiterated the missions of the association and acknowledged the sponsors for their generous support to the students before handing the stage over to Allen & Overy Senior HR Business Partner and CSR Officer, Ms. Alysia Amaglio.

Allen & Overy funds a Mobility Scholarship through les Amis de l’Université, launched in 2021, which allows one outgoing and one incoming Erasmus Plus student within the Bachelor in Law to benefit from both financial support, an internship, and mentoring opportunities. This scholarship promotes values of diversity and inclusion, allowing students to concentrate on their studies without having to worry about financing them while the internship gives students the opportunity to discover a practice area of their choice and put their knowledge acquired during their study in practice for a one month internship.  

Two students, Joana Pereira Cardoso from the University of Luxembourg who studied at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Emily Walsh from the University College Cork in Ireland have been awarded the scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Allen & Overy is delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to two students again for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Ms. Alexandra Da Silva, Vice-President of the Louis y Antonio Portabella Foundation, presented the Portabella Scholarship, which has been awarding deserving students with financial support since 2018. She announced that for 2022, the number will be increased to 10 students. Ms. Da Silva underlined the universal nature of the scholarship (open to all students regardless of national origin, age, sex or degree programme) which reflects the values of the foundation.

The certificates where officially conferred by Prof. Catherine Léglu, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs who highlighted the criteria of academic excellence, academic promise, and hardship. She explained that of the 55 applicants, seven students were selected:

• Sayed Amirali Aghamiri, MSc in Civil Engineering
• Najada Feimi, Master in Data Science
• Hoai Vi La, Master in Wealth Management
• Melsida Babayan, Master in Architecture
• Marshall Murwisi Manondo, Master in Logistics and Supply Chain management
• Levi Landu, Master in European Banking and Financial Law (LL.M.)
•  Vyara Noncheva, Bachelor in Multilingualism, Linguistics and Teaching

Prof. Katalin Ligeti, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, closed the ceremony by thanking les Amis de l’Université and its benefactors for the opportunities that they give to students from all faculties at the University of Luxembourg and once again congratulating the students on their achievements.

Here are some pictures of this interesting meeting at the Weicker building: