The LebNet Fellowship program successfully completed its first cohort and welcomed 25 undergraduate students from the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Lebanese American University (LAU), and the Lebanese University (LU). 

Watch this 1-minute video to hear what the participants had to say about the program. 

We will launch the second edition of the program in 2024. You can visit this page for more details on 2024 applications and program requirement. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

About the Program

LebNet WiT Fellows is a 5-month fellowship program that equips the next generation of Lebanese women technologists with the skills needed to successfully explore and transition into careers in technology post-university. The program, which was launched by LebNet's Women in Tech community, consists of immersive skill-development workshops, panels and discussion circles, and activities that will cultivate a tight-knit cohort of fellows. In February 2023, the program welcomed 25 undergraduate students from the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Lebanese American University (LAU), and the Lebanese University (LU). First-generation college students from low-income backgrounds were especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

The program was open to applicants who:

First-generation college students from low-income backgrounds were especially encouraged to apply.

Application Material

If you are interested in applying for the next cohort in 2024 you will need to fill an application form. The form will ask you to complete some questions and will ask you to submit a personal statement, your resume, and your university’s unofficial transcript. Please limit your resume and your personal statement to one page, each.

Program Outline

The fellowship program's first edition ran from February 2023 to June 2023 every other Saturday at 6 pm Beirut time for 1-1.5 hours. The program consists of workshops, panels, discussion circles, and community-building activities. Topics ranged from building your CV and LinkedIn profile to effective networking to ask-me-anything panels on careers in product management, academia, etc. Fellows who participated in and completed the program got the chance to network with leading Lebanese tech experts in North America, gain new skills, received a fellowship certificate of completion, built connections with fellows for life, and joined the LebNet WiT fellows alumni group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I’m a student at a university other than AUB, LAU, and LU?

A: Our hope is that the LebNet WiT Fellows program expands to welcome students attending all universities in Lebanon. For the 2023 cohort, we have set up partnerships with AUB, LAU, and LU.

Q: I am a high-school graduate about to start my undergraduate studies. Am I eligible to apply?

A: Yes, you are eligible to apply and will be considered a first-year undergraduate applicant.

Q: Can you explain the eligibility requirements in terms of undergraduate years?

A: If you’re a college student in a 3-year program, you are eligible to apply to WiT Fellows if you will be a first-year or second-year student in February 2023. If you’re a college student in a 4-year program, you are eligible to apply to WiT Fellows if you will be a first-year, second-year, or third-year student in February 2023.

Q: Why can’t I apply as a senior (final-year) student?

A: The content of the workshops and panels of the fellowship program is set up with the expectation that fellows will have at least one year of studies left to incorporate the takeaways from the fellowship program into their academic and professional profile in preparation for transition to post-university life.

Q: Where and when will the program be held?

A: To facilitate logistics, keeping in mind the current economic hardships in Lebanon, the program will be held virtually via Zoom with the possibility of an in-person gathering at an advanced point. The program will be held from February to June 2023 on every other Saturday at 6 pm Beirut time to accommodate for program leaders joining from North America.

Q: What is the minimum GPA required?

A: We will be reviewing your application holistically and will not be exclusively deciding based on your GPA. Your academic and extracurricular experiences, as well as your ambitions and goals will factor into our decision.

Q: What if I'm a first-year university student and do not have any university transcripts yet?

A: Please submit the transcript of your final year in high school instead.

Q: I have a question that is not listed here. Who should I reach out to?

A: Please reach out to the LebNet team at [email protected].