The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation celebrated, with the support of its strategic partner, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), the graduation of the first group, consisting of 25 Afghan refugee students in New York, United States. These students represent part of the total group of 250 students in the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP) from the prestigious US university, Bard College in New York, United States.

The Afghan students, all of whom had their education interrupted when they were residing in their home country and were provided with the opportunity through EAAs QSAP to complete their studies and ultimately enhance their future professional opportunities, helping them grow into productive, engaged citizens, according to EAA in a statement.

Director of the Al Fakhoora Programme at EAA Talal Al Hothal said is proud of the graduates, whose success today highlights the crucial role higher education plays in the empowerment of refugees and displaced youth.

"Through the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project, we are able to provide life-changing opportunities for these remarkable youth, enabling them to reach their academic potential and equipping them to embark on successful professional careers and contribute to their communities. Our program leverages strategic international partnerships to amplify the impact of our scholarships, and these collaborations have made it possible for us to offer Afghan students many opportunities for advancement, innovation, and success. We look forward to witnessing the positive changes they will bring to the world."

For his part, Executive Vice President of the US-based Institute of International Education (IIE) Jonah Kokodyniak congratulated the QSAP students graduating from Bard and other colleges and universities across the U.S, affirming that this day marks a huge accomplishment for these young people.

"Not only have they overcome significant adversity to earn their degrees, but they have made numerous contributions to their university communities and are poised to take on future leadership positions. We at IIE have been honored to support these talented students and to work with the programs partners and word-class higher education institutions like Bard College to help them realize their full potential" added Kokodyniak.

QSAP was founded in 2021 through a robust collaboration between EAA Foundation, its strategic partner the Qatar Fund for Development, and project partners the Institute of International Education, Afghan Future Fund, Schmidt Futures, the Yalda Hakim Foundation, and the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisers Fund.

Source: QNA
Cover image credit: EAA

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Fareeha Imtiaz

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