On Friday, March 14, 2025, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NDUer Anthony Abou Jaoude, one of Dubai’s top real estate brokers, author of two Amazon best-selling books, and podcast host.
This initiative was inspired by a meaningful conversation with Dr. Simon Abou Jaoude, Assistant Vice President for Academic Support. Continuing and honoring the legacy of his late father, Joe Abou Jaoude, who dedicated 15 years (1992–2007) to teaching in the Department of Computer Science at NDU, Anthony committed to giving back to his community by funding research at the University.
“The best life lesson is when you have empty pockets, an empty stomach, and a broken heart,” confesses Abou Jaoude, who, at 22, took a leap of faith and moved to Dubai with a clear vision. He studied the market, identified opportunities, and committed to making an impact. In just four years, his determination paid off; by 2018, he had risen to the top ranks of Dubai’s real estate industry.
Anthony has earned prestigious awards such as the ‘Dubai Accolade’ (2018–present) and ‘Emaar Top Sales.’ In 2023, he was named one of the top ten innovative entrepreneurs. Anthony's remarkable success story was featured in The Times and LA Weekly. “It is during COVID that I wrote the very first page of my book, being someone who wasn’t used to sitting idle and being unproductive,” shares Anthony. A few months later, Take Charge came out, followed by Take Action, with more yearly books scheduled to appear. Abou Jaoude is also the creator of an online course, the founder of a physical academy, and the host of the Dubai Stars podcast, a platform that showcases Dubai’s potential and provides a platform for individuals to share inspiring success stories.
NDU President, Father Bechara Khoury, praised Anthony’s ambitions and assured him that his research support was appreciated, as “research should drive us forward,” confirmed Dr. Michel Hayek, the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Antoine Farhat, Vice President for University Advancement, confirmed that serving NDU is serving the community at large, thanking Abou Jaoude for his genuine spirit and long-term engagement. Dr. Ghazi Asmar expressed his sincere gratitude to Anthony for his generous funding and recognized the importance of Anthony's commitment to supporting research at NDU.
Lastly, Anthony was presented with a commemorative book on the Mariamite landmarks in Lebanon published by NDU Press, one of many volumes. Anthony’s story is a testament to perseverance and vision, one that resonates with NDU’s mission to maintain international academic standards.