Despite the troubled times we are living in—marked by conflict, tension, and uncertainty—some moments break through the noise and remind us that hope is not only possible but present. This past week offered exactly that: three luminous achievements that expanded my heart and left me with a smile bigger than the world. Let me share them with you—three stories that feel like modern-day fairytales.
1.
A Syrian Family’s New Beginning
On Friday evening, a Syrian family of seven—comprising a mother, father, and their five daughters—opened the doors of their new restaurant. In this true family venture, everyone contributed, despite their demanding professional and academic lives.
The eldest daughter, a pharmacist, helped shape the project alongside her sisters, who were two university students and two secondary school students. Each one took on an essential role—marketing, decoration, paperwork, or assisting their parents in planning the menu and preparing the food. The parents themselves, once a pediatrician and a dentist in Syria, poured their skill, discipline, and warmth into dishes filled with memories of home. Even the eldest daughter’s husband, an engineer, played a crucial part by handling all the electrical work.
Their journey to Portugal could fill an entire book. But one moment deserves special recognition: the father’s admission to a Master’s in Hospitality at Porto Business School (PBS), made possible through Nexus 3.0 support and thanks to the school’s remarkable partnership. He not only graduated but also completed an internship at the Hilton in Gaia. He also endured a demanding cancer treatment—yet there he stood on Friday evening, radiant with pride, resilience, and joy as he welcomed guests.
They danced, they sang, and they greeted each visitor as an honoured guest. Their happiness was contagious. I felt deeply privileged to witness their journey and celebrate such a meaningful achievement.
2.
A Beacon of Hope: Shakilla’s Academic Triumph
On Saturday morning, another extraordinary moment unfolded. Shakilla, one of our Nexus 3.0 Afghan scholarship students, defended her Master’s thesis on Machine Learning in Human Creativity: Current Applications and Future Directions. The timing felt symbolic—coming just after the Web Summit concluded, as leading human (and non-human) minds gathered to envision the future.
The defense was deeply emotional. Shakilla is the first Nexus 3.0 student to complete a Master’s degree in Portugal. Studying at NOVA Information Management School, thanks to its outstanding support for refugee students, she delivered a clear, pedagogical, and inspiring presentation—one from which I, and surely her colleagues, learned a great deal.
Twelve of us joined online to support her. One professor even remarked how unusual it was to see such a supportive audience at a thesis defense, which is usually a lonely academic ritual. But on this day, solidarity was alive and shining.
Shakilla earned an excellent grade of 16 out of 20, and we were all immensely proud—deeply grateful to the partners who make the Beacon of Hope scholarship program possible.
And then comes the unavoidable reflection: What if she had not been given this opportunity? Had she remained in Afghanistan, she would not be permitted to look out of a window, let alone study Artificial Intelligence or imagine her place in the future of science.
Thank you, Shakilla. You are a true role model—not only for your Afghan sisters back home, but for your classmates here. We look forward to learning much more from you about both human and AI creativity.
3.
The Launch of the HELP Fund
The third story is a milestone for Nexus 3.0: the long-awaited launch of the HELP Fund — Higher Education Life-Saving Programs Fund. After months of preparation, this solidarity mechanism is now fully in place.
The HELP Fund was created with a simple yet powerful purpose: to ensure that no student’s educational journey is interrupted by unexpected emergencies—whether health crises, housing instability, sudden family needs, or financial constraints. For students who have already endured war, displacement, and loss, such crises can easily derail their future. HELP is our way of ensuring they never face those moments alone.
To inaugurate the fund, we reached out to a broad group of alumni—Syrian students who arrived in Portugal as early as 2013 through the first emergency scholarship program ever launched in Portugal. Many of them completed bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and even PhDs. We contacted them first because they truly understand what solidarity means. They once needed help and received it. Now, empowered and standing firm, they were invited to help others.
What happened was profoundly moving. We were overwhelmed by their gratitude, their willingness to give back, and their eagerness to participate as co-funders of the HELP Fund. Many contributed financially; all contributed with heartfelt words. Each alumnus was invited to share a solidarity motto, a short statement, or a personal testimonial—and the result is a touching chorus of hope, resilience, and generosity.
At that moment, I realized very clearly that we had not only helped to educate minds — we had also won hearts.
A Weekend of Light
As I look back on these three stories—the Syrian family’s new beginning, Shakilla’s academic triumph, and the birth of the HELP Fund—I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the courage of those who rebuild their lives, for the brilliance of those who pursue knowledge against all odds, and for the solidarity of those who choose to lift others up.
While we wait for Shakilla’s choice between human-made and AI-generated music, let’s celebrate this extraordinary week with “Eye of the Tiger,” thinking of her, our Syrian friends, and all the generous co-funders of the HELP Fund who have gifted us such unforgettable moments of joy and humanity.
By the Nexus 3.0 Team empowered by AI
16.11.2025
