Global business leader Rodolphe Saadé launches €1-million scholarship program at Concordia
“This initiative will support deserving students and strengthen global links with a university that shaped my own journey,” says Rodolphe Saadé, pictured above at left with Concordia President Graham Carr.
Rodolphe Saadé, BComm 94, LLD 23, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, has donated €1 million to fund fully supported scholarships for 20 graduate students at Concordia University.
The CMA CGM Excellence Fund, through the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now, will support 15 international and five Lebanese students pursuing master’s or PhD studies. The scholarships will cover full tuition and living expenses, helping Concordia attract outstanding talent from around the world while expanding access to advanced education for students from Lebanon.
“This gift is a powerful testament to the values of excellence, opportunity and international collaboration that Rodolphe Saadé embodies,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “We are proud to welcome these exceptional students and are deeply grateful for this visionary investment in their future.”
“I’m pleased to reconnect with Concordia, where I completed my studies,” said Saadé. “Since 2022, education has been a priority for CMA CGM, in line with our family values and commitment to future generations. Through our Excellence Fund, we’ve built bridges with leading universities around the world — and I’m proud to now extend this program to Canada through a partnership with Concordia.
“This initiative will support deserving students and strengthen global links with a university that shaped my own journey.”
Launched in 2022, the CMA CGM Excellence Fund provides merit-based scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and leadership potential. The program has already benefited 255 Lebanese students globally — 25 of whom have joined CMA CGM as staff.
The CMA CGM Excellence Fund recently expanded its support to other international scholars. The new Concordia scholarships mark the Fund’s first formal partnership with a Canadian institution.
Adds Paul Chesser, BA 92, GrDip 94, vice-president of University Advancement: “Rodolphe Saadé’s generosity reflects a deep belief in the power of education to change lives. His support for Concordia through the CMA CGM Excellence Fund will open doors for outstanding students, many of whom might not otherwise have the means to pursue graduate studies abroad. We are honoured by this partnership and inspired by his leadership.”
Saadé, who is among 50 Great Concordians to be celebrated in 2025 as part of his alma mater’s 50th anniversary, received an honorary degree from Concordia in 2023 to recognize his leadership in global business and innovation.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Saadé graduated from Concordia’s business school in 1994. After founding a successful startup in Lebanon, he joined CMA CGM — the global shipping and logistics company founded by his father — and has been its Chairman and CEO since 2017.
Under his leadership, CMA CGM has become the world’s third-largest shipping company, operating nearly 700 vessels and expanding into new sectors such as air cargo, logistics and media.
Saadé has led bold investments in sustainability, committing $18 billion to decarbonize the company’s fleet and launched a $1.5-billion innovation fund focused on reducing greenhouse emissions in global shipping.
He has also driven CMA CGM’s transformation into a technology and innovation powerhouse. He founded ZEBOX, a global network of startup accelerators, and formed partnerships with AI leaders like Google and Mistral AI.
Beyond business, Saadé is known for his commitment to social impact through the CMA CGM Foundation, which has delivered tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid and supported hundreds of educational projects worldwide.