Grants & Scholarships
EIU Awarded Prestigious Internal Audit Foundation Academic Alliance Grant
Tripoli, Lebanon | November 5, 2025 — East International University (EIU) is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of the Internal Audit Foundation Academic Alliance Grant, a highly competitive global initiative that supports innovation, quality, and excellence in internal audit education worldwide.
As part of this award, EIU received USD 9,200 to advance program sustainability and deepen student engagement through professional workshops, internships, webinars, career days, conferences, and industry roundtables. The grant also supports the expanded integration of data analytics, cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence (AI), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam preparation within EIU’s internal auditing curriculum.
These initiatives further strengthen EIU’s standing within the Internal Audit Education Partnership, transforming classroom learning into real-world professional readiness and equipping students with the analytical skills, ethical mindset, and global competencies required in today’s rapidly evolving risk and assurance environment.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Internal Audit Foundation,” said Dr. Randa Sharafeddine, Internal Audit Academic Alliance Program Coordinator at EIU. “This grant reinforces our mission to deliver education aligned with international professional standards and to prepare our graduates not only for employment, but for leadership in the internal auditing profession.”
EIU’s selection, during a milestone year in which all eligible Academic Alliance institutions worldwide received funding, highlights the University’s growing reputation as a regional leader in internal audit education, professional development, and industry-academic partnership.
Scholarship, Speaker, and Global Representation at the IIA Global Student Conference 2025
East International University proudly represented Lebanon at the 2025 Global Student Conference (GSC), organized by The Institute of Internal Auditors and held April 13–15, 2025, at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Internal Auditors.”
Dr. Randa Sharafeddine, Chair of the Finance & Accounting Department and Internal Auditing Program Coordinator at EIU, was selected from a highly competitive international pool to receive a prestigious travel grant from the Internal Audit Foundation Academic Alliance Grant Program. This distinction enabled her participation as a featured speakerand official representative of both EIU and Lebanon at this premier global event, which brought together 186 participants from 65 institutions across more than 19 countries.
Dr. Sharafeddine delivered an Educator Track session titled “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Classroom Learning with Real-World Experience,” highlighting EIU’s experiential learning model, alignment of internal audit curricula with professional expectations, and the University’s successful progression from IAAP to full IAAAP designation, positioning EIU as a regional benchmark in internal audit education.
The conference featured keynote addresses by IIA President and CEO Anthony Pugliese and Board Chair Elizabeth Sullivan, in-depth discussions on AI and emerging technologies in auditing, collaborative educator forums on curriculum innovation, and a global student case competition simulating real internal audit engagements.
This milestone participation underscores EIU’s expanding global academic presence, its distinction as the first IAAAP-designated university in northern Lebanon, and its strong partnership with IIA Global and the Internal Audit Foundation, whose generous support covered travel, accommodation, registration, and visa arrangements.
East International University extends its sincere appreciation to IIA Global and the Internal Audit Foundation and reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and the preparation of future-ready internal audit professionals through world-class education and global engagement.
Advisory Board
IAAAP Advisory Board at East international University
We are pleased to announce that The IAEP Advisory Board at East International University is comprised of the following volunteers:
Mr. Elie Safar, Chair
Mr. Oussama Chedid, Secretary
Ms. Dania Georges, Member
Dr. Linda Sultan, Member
Dr. Mohamad Chamsin, Member
Mr. Elie Addelsater, Member
Mr. Mahmoud Ghalayini, Member
Ex-Officio non-voting members of the Advisory Board are:
Dr. Nazih El Jor, President, East International University
Dr. Randa Sharafeddine, Professor, IAAAP Coordinator, East International University
Advisory Board Profile
Mr. Elie Safar is the University Internal Auditor at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), co-founder of The Institute of Internal Auditors in Lebanon (IIA Lebanon), former President, and currently Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee. He is a motivational speaker, coach, and trainer in Internal Audit.
Mr. Oussama Chedid is the Group Chief Audit Executive at First National Bank (FNB) and a Board Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors in Lebanon (IIA Lebanon). He is a fervent supporter of student internships.
Ms. Dania Georges is the Senior Manager TLS Knowledge Management & EMEA TLS KM Driver. She supports the PwC offices in consolidating knowledge, collaborating together to accelerate client delivery. Ms. Georges continuously contributes to elevating knowledge impact.
Dr. Linda Sultan is the General Director of the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and North Lebanon. She is an advocate of compliance with professional standards.
Dr. Mohamad Chamsin is a seasoned pharmacist with solid experience in pharmacy management, Solid Waste Management, Crisis Management, Municipality Management, Business Consulting, Public and International Relations. He is a renowned public figure and an adamant supporter of benevolent projects in North Lebanon.
Mr. Elie Addelsater, CIA, CFE, GRCA, CERM, MBA, is Vice President of ACFE Lebanon. A Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, and ERM professional, Mr. Addelsater is an expert in governance, compliance, and fintech. His advising engagements span digital banking, e-wallet solutions, and technology-driven governance initiatives.
Mr. Mahmoud Ghalayini, MBA, is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). He brings over a decade of experience in IT security and governance, with certifications issued by ISACA since 2010.
What We Offer
Professional Development – Workshops and career-focused courses.
Industry Certifications – Preparatory programs for IIA’s IAP and CIA certifications.
Scholarships – CMA and AFMA certifications through our partnership with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
Experiential Learning – Hands-on events, roundtables, and international collaborations.
Internships – Practical training with leading institutions in Lebanon and abroad.
Digital Competencies – As the only ICDL-accredited center in Northern Lebanon, we deliver world-class digital skills training.
Join Us
At EIU, we are shaping the future of internal audit education, empowering students to earn international certifications, access global opportunities, and become leaders in their field.
📍 East International University – Internal Audit Academic Alliance (IAAAP)
🌐 eiuiaaap.org
📞 +961 71768085 | 📧 randa.sharafeddine@eiu.edu.lb
Dr. Randa Sharafeddine, PhD, ACAMS, ACFCS
IAAAP Coordinator, ICDL Coordinator, Workshops & Experiential Learning Coordinator
Congratulations, students! You are now part of a globally recognized internal auditing program that opens doors to a brighter professional future.