EAA hosts Scholarship Awarding Ceremony for Resident Students
Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s programme Al Fakhoora, hosted yesterday a special ceremony at Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) auditorium at Education City, to award and announce the students who have been accepted into the “Dynamic Futures Qatar” scholarship programme for the academic year 2018 – 2019. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Education above All (EAA) Foundation, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Thani, Director-General of the General Department of Awqaf, Dr. Aisha Al Mannai, from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of the Shura Council, Director of the Muhammad Bin Hamad Al Thani Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization, Ms. Shawna Garrett, the Registrar at the College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, Dr. Ivan Ninov, Executive Dean at Stenden University Qatar, and Dr. Abdulla Al-Yafei, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Services at Qatar University, and many other esteemed guests.
The “Dynamic Futures Qatar” scholarship programme aims to provide young adults between 17 and 25 years old, who have spent most of their formative years in Qatar, with access to higher education. In addition, more than just a scholarship, this comprehensive programme offers recipients the opportunity to gain civic engagement skills, as well as benefit from economic empowerment activities. This holistic scholarship design supports students throughout their studies and prepares them to become productive citizens who can contribute in meaningful ways to the community, both during their studies and after graduation.
The programme is sponsored in conjunction with the General Department of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) and includes four prominent universities and colleges in Qatar. Each institution (Qatar University, College of North Atlantic (CNAQ), Stenden University, and University of Calgary in Qatar) has vetted candidates using their own admissions requirements, and thus eligible beneficiaries for the scholarship programme had their application approved by these institutions accordingly. In addition, Al Fakhoora conducts its own stringent “Selection for Success” process, ensuring the chosen recipients are capable of maximizing the opportunities this unique programme presents to them.
During the ceremony, Ms. Fatima Al Khater, President of the Dynamic Futures Qatar programme, Education above All (EAA) Foundation said:
“On behalf of EAA’s team, I would like to wish the students a fruitful academic journey ahead. We believe that, by investing in e human capital, we enable young people to play a key role in building their communities and unlocking their full potential. The uniqueness of the Dynamic Futures Qatar scholarship programmes lies in its focus on civic engagement, and Qatar’s role in investing in expatriates and valuing their potential contribution to Qatar’s future.”
She added: “We are delighted to have four of the most acclaimed institutes coming forward to support us in this noble endeavour, and we are especially grateful to Awqaf officials for bestowing tremendous trust upon us and supporting us in working to enhance the access to education for these exceptional youth.”
Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Thani, Director-General of the General Department of Awqaf, said:
"We are truly delighted to host the Dynamic Futures Qatar programme Scholarship awarding ceremony for resident students, and we are proud to partner with the EAA Foundation. Our advice to the students who have received these scholarships is to strive to become leaders in all disciplines.”
From her side, Dr. Aisha Al Mannai, from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of the Shura Council, Director of the Muhammad Bin Hamad Al Thani Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization, said:
"The State of Qatar, under the guidance of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, pays special attention to education, the cornerstone of development in the country and a necessary need to ensure security and peace. The Dynamic Futures Qatar programme, which is hosted by the EAA Foundation, affirms that education is a right not only for citizens but also for residents in Qatar, and will undoubtedly unlock their potential and capabilities, and enable them to contribute to the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030. I would like to thank EAA for launching this programme, and the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs for providing all the support required for the higher good of this country, and to everyone who contributed to the success of this initiative. I also would like to congratulate our students for receiving these scholarships, wishing them all success in their academic and work achievements.”
Commenting on this occasion, Ms. Shawna Garrett is the Registrar at the College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, said:
“College of the North Atlantic - Qatar is pleased to be part of the Dynamic Futures Qatar higher education scholarship program. We are happy to partner with this scholarship program which will provide beneficial assistance to long term residents of Qatar, helping ensure their positive future impact on society. We believe these scholarships will provide students with new exciting opportunities to be part of Qatar’s vibrant future that they might not have had otherwise.”
From his end, Dr. Ivan Ninov, Executive Dean at Stenden University Qatar, said:
"We as a higher education institution feel honoured and privileged to be involved in this great initiative, which provides talented students with a great opportunity to receive world class education. We also feel confident that the graduates from the Al Fakhoora programme will make a significant contribution to the overall development of Qatar."
Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Abdulla Al-Yafei, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Services at Qatar University, said:
“Qatar University congratulates these students for their efforts and hard work, which has led them to reach this achievement. At the university we are keen to nurture talented students and insure that students of all educational levels are able to receive the support needed to thrive. We know this award will be a great catalyst for these students as they embark upon their journey towards higher education, where they can make a positive impact through the work that they do. We at Qatar University are thrilled to play a role in these students lives as we understand that the future is in the hands of the next generation. We are proud to help pave the path for their eventual prosperous careers.”
EAA foundation, for the very first time in Qatar, has launched one of the most innovative and comprehensive scholarship programmes in the region, “Dynamic Futures Qatar”. It is modelled after Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures Scholarship and Empowerment programme, which originated in Gaza and is currently active in seven regions (Gaza, West Bank, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq). It works to enable marginalized Palestinian and Syrian refugees and IDP’s to make meaningful contributions to their host and home communities, as well as become economically self-reliant.
This scholarship programme both reflects and concretises one of EAA’s core missions, with its aim to invest in the next generation inspirational civic-minded, positive global citizens.
