A success story called Jad Jawhar
Jad Jawhar, HAMK’s Alumni of the Year 2026, moved to Finland from Lebanon at the age of 17 and has progressed to positions of responsibility at Konecranes. His journey and growth in Finland make for a remarkable story.
“Whatever you decide to study or do for a living, it is worth approaching it with genuine attention and commitment. It is not always about being the smartest person in the room or getting everything right on the first try. What matters more is a willingness to learn, readiness to put in the effort and taking responsibility for the quality of your work,” says Jad Jawhar, named HAMK’s Alumni of the Year, summing up his philosophy.
It is easy to believe that he lives by these principles: he has pursued his career with determination and achieved a great deal along the way. In addition to graduating from HAMK with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering in 2022, he has progressed to positions of responsibility in his field, completed a Master of Science in Technology in Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University alongside his full-time job, earned a glider pilot licence (in Finnish) and obtained Finnish citizenship. He says he received a grade of 5/5 in every university course and made the Dean’s List twice.
How has he managed all this?
“When I look back, I see a journey of continuous learning, stepping outside my comfort zone and seizing opportunities. When I came to Finland from Lebanon at the age of 17, I could not have predicted where life would take me. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and motivated by those ahead,” Jawhar says.
Achieving his goals has, he says, also required discipline, perseverance and careful time management.
“I wanted to make this investment in my future,” Jawhar says.
His desire to develop has not stopped. He now aims to apply to the Aalto University School of Business to complement his technical expertise with an understanding of business, management, finance and strategy.
Aiming to become CEO
Working at Konecranes with the title of Development Engineer, Jawhar has responsibilities that extend beyond technical design. He assesses the business case for development ideas, brings together experts and works with them right through to the product’s global launch.
“What I enjoy most is combining analytical thinking, collaboration and practical implementation. Understanding a problem and bringing people together to turn an idea into a tangible result.”
His ambitions at Konecranes are high, too. Back in 2023, Jawhar suggested that he could one day become the company’s CEO.
“That is still my goal, but I now understand more clearly that reaching such a position takes more than technical expertise or ambition. It requires an understanding of business, sound judgement, leadership experience, the ability to develop people and a willingness to take responsibility for difficult decisions.”
Alongside conscientiousness, Jawhar believes in teamwork and continuous learning.
“Results rarely depend on your own contribution alone. Reliability, clear communication, respect for different perspectives and supporting your colleagues’ success are just as important as strong technical expertise,” Jawhar concludes.
A message to students from the Alumni of the Year
Jawhar says he is genuinely honoured, delighted and grateful to receive the Alumni of the Year recognition. He says HAMK gave him a solid foundation on which to build his career.
“It is special to receive recognition from a higher education institution that played such an important role at the beginning of my journey in Finland. For me, this recognition is also an opportunity to thank the people who have helped me along the way and to encourage international students in particular. If sharing my story helps even one student believe in their opportunities, the recognition feels even more meaningful.”
He encourages students to invest in their studies, but also to learn outside the classroom. Projects, internships and encounters with others connect studies with practice. He advises international students to give themselves time to adjust, build relationships and learn Finnish.
Jawhar also reminds students that their first job does not define their entire career. What matters most is learning, taking responsibility and working with others.
“Be ambitious, but do not think you need to have your whole future figured out. Choose a direction, work consistently towards it and stay open to opportunities you may not have anticipated.”
