The UNESCO-led scholarship project offered vulnerable youth a chance to pursue post-basic education opportunities, through training programs held at Al Quds College.

The project supports the Government of Jordan’s efforts to provide technical and vocational education and training opportunities for Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth affected by the Syria Crisis and is aligned with the 2016-2018 Jordan Response Plan.

In total, 250 Jordanian and Syrian youth enrolled in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma program, a one-year internationally accredited diploma program focusing on seven different specialties. A total of 201 youth collected their diplomas and fifty-six percent of the graduates were women. Students also benefitted from additional courses in English language, life skills, computer literacy and study skills. 

His Excellency Mr. Lee Bom-yon, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Jordan delivered an address at the event, wishing the graduates good luck with their upcoming careers and thanking UNESCO and Al Quds College for their strong collaboration. His Excellency also announced ongoing support to UNESCO in 2018, geared towards the funding of a technical and vocational education training project in 2018.

Ms. Costanza Farina, UNESCO Representative to Jordan, congratulated the hardworking students, “Your achievement has required a strong commitment from each of you and this is, fundamentally, what we celebrate today; your commitment, our shared commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive, just and peaceful society, starting with educated young men and women”. Ms. Farina highlighted the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Jordan and around the world. “As we see evident here today, education transforms lives. It is at the heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development”.

Dr. Ayman Maqableh, Dean of Al Quds College, honored the graduates, wishing them success in their future endeavors. “I would like to give thanks to UNESCO, the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for their ongoing support”.

Mr. Mohammad Al Kharabsheh, representing His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, also delivered remarks and commended the youth’s hard work. The event was well attended by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Jordan, United Nations agencies and Jordanian and Syrian graduating youth. A few of the graduates shared their stories with the crowd, conveying their satisfaction with their studies and touching on their hopes for the future. 

For more information on this project, please visit: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/amman/projects /education/technical-and-vocational-eduaction-and-taining-for-syrian-and-joradanian-youth-in-jordan/