EDU-SYRIA II Additional Closing Ceremony
The EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Program, which is funded by the EU and managed by the German Jordanian University (GJU), concluded the EDU-SYRIA II-Additional project journey with a closing ceremony took place at GJU-Main Campus, on 29th February 2024. It aimed to provide 200 students with educational scholarships for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in host communities affected by the Syrian crisis.
This closing ceremony was held under the patronage of Prof. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, the GJU President, and attended by Ms. Wieke Waterschoot, Attaché/Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Jordan, Dr. Dhiah el Diehn I. Abou-Tair, the EDU-SYRIA Project Manager, and the partners of EDU-SYRIA, including Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), the International Dutch Organization for the Internationalization in Education (NUFFIC), as well as representatives from local aid organizations such as the National Aid Fund (NAF), Takiyat Aum Ali Fund (TUAF), Al-Aman Fund (AF), and UNHCR representatives.
The ceremony was opened by Prof. Al-Halhouli who welcomed the attendees and highlighted that the EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Programme is one of the most significant and largest projects implemented under the university’s umbrella. Prof. Al-Halhouli also praised the unique partnership between several public and private Jordanian educational institutions and international organizations. During his speech at the ceremony, he pointed out that the program has become one of the leading initiatives in the region, serving as a testament to the effectiveness of partnerships in executing such projects..
On his part, Dr. Abou-Tair provided an overview of the EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Program, emphasized the importance of the EDU-SYRIA II Additional Project, which launched in January 2019 and was funded with a value of 2.6 million Euros, provided 223 scholarships for Syrian and Jordanian refugees in host communities. Pointed out the success and distinctiveness of the EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Program, citing the high demand for scholarships provided by the program.
In her speech, Ms. Waterschoot congratulated all 198 male and female graduates of the EDU-SYRIA II-Additional Project from the EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Program, expressing pride in the determined youth who strive to achieve their dreams and pursue their education despite challenging circumstances, especially after the Syrian refugee crisis. Ms. Waterschoot also emphasized that investing in youth in Jordan through education is one of the EU’s top priorities.
The ceremony included several video presentations of students’ campus life and success stories. Further, a panel discussion was held among a group of student representatives from the three programs with Ms. Waterschoot, moderated by Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi, Program Coordinator at EDU-SYRIA. In this panel discussion, the students spoke about the importance and impact of scholarships on them, as well as offering a range of advice and lessons learned for students who are still studying.
At the end of the ceremony, the top academically performing students were honored and recognized in various disciplines within the programs encompassed by the project. Awards and certificates were distributed to them.
This closing ceremony marked a significant milestone in the conclusion of the EDU-SYRIA II-Additional project, which was the third project in the project’s series of the EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Programme, during which scholarships were offered in vocational education, master’s, and bachelor’s degree programs in collaboration with several local partners, such as Zarqa University (ZU), Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), and Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), and it also represented recognition of the achievements of its graduate students and the impact of its collective efforts in promoting education and empowerment.
It is worth noting that EDU-SYRIA Scholarship Programme is a humanitarian project funded by the EU to improve the livelihood options of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian youths in Jordan through having access to higher and vocational education and improved their employability.
