Al Fakhoora backs Syrian youth

DOHA: Building on its success in empowering youth in Gaza by providing them with access to higher education Al Fakhoora launched its expansion project in support of Syrian youth in partnership with Dutch NGO Spark.

The $8m pilot component of a $28.1m programme will provide 800 Syrian refugees and Palestinians from underserved backgrounds with four-year scholarships to enrol in universities.

Al Fakhoora a programme of Education Above Foundation was launched in 2009 following the Israeli aggression on Gaza in support of promoting and facilitating access to higher education.

Since its launch the programme has enrolled about 600 students into universities in Gaza and provided international scholarships to 30 in specialisations that contribute to the rebuilding of the Strip.

Farooq Burney Director Al Fakhoora said “The provision of higher education for refugee students contributes to the rebuilding of communities torn apart by conflict and violence. Over the past five years we have seen the vitality and productivity injected into communities through empowered young Palestinians. In collaboration with Spark we believe that this is an opportune investment in an integral element that will contribute to rebuilding Syria.”

At a signing ceremony in London prior to the Supporting Syrian Conference Yannick du Pont Director Spark said “Spark’s mission is to develop higher education and entrepreneurship to empower young ambitious youth to lead their conflict-affected societies into prosperity.

“Through its higher education programmes and job creation Spark aims to diminish the potential for conflict giving attention to marginalised groups including youth women returning refugees and internally displaced persons.”

The project is part of Al Fakhoora’s successful Dynamic Futures Scholarship programme which provides students with quality education empower their families economically and holds training in leadership and development and student affairs.

It will operate in Turkey Lebanon Jordan West Bank and East Jerusalem. The partnership will also explore advocacy campaigns to highlight key challenges facing refugees’ and Palestinians’ right to education.The Peninsula