Korea and UNESCO provide TVET training scholarships to Jordanian and Syrian youth
Ahmad Oun, 22, and his family fled the conflict in Syria in the spring of 2013. They arrived in Jordan, and after a brief stay in Zaatari camp, the whole family moved in with Jordanian friends in Irbid. Ahmad, the eldest of four siblings, had just finished secondary school and was looking for work so that he could contribute to supporting his family. Soon, he found a retail job selling jewelry at a local jewelry shop.
“I felt thrilled to have a job and to enjoy my job. One day, I heard about some scholarships being offered at Al Quds College. When I looked at the criteria, I thought I might be match and I applied to the retail management program”.
Ahmad was awarded one of the 250 scholarships funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea this year, as part of a project implemented by the UNESCO Amman office. The BTEC level 2 diploma programs span six areas of interest and are offered at Luminus Technical University College (Al Quds College) in both Amman and Irbid.
“So far I am happy to have learned how to make the customer happy, how to communicate to customers the benefits of a product”, Ahmad shares. “I have enjoyed the course so much and hope to progress to the next level (BTEC Level 3) as a next step. In the future, I would also like to own my own business and use the skills I am learning here to make it a success”.
Ahmad continues to work at the jewelry store while he completes his studies, which at times can be difficult to manage. But what Ahmad feels most proud of is that he is proving to be an inspiration to his younger siblings. When he made the decision to return to his studies, two of his three siblings also decided to go back to school.
Korea and UNESCO support programmes in Jordan to ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education. In line with national development priorities, UNESCO helps to enhance the relevance of TVET to equip all youth and adults with the skills required for employment, decent work, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
Mais, 22, experienced struggles similar to Ahmad, grappling with upheaval as a result of the Syria crisis. In her final year of secondary school, Mais and her household of eight members were displaced to Jordan.
Reflecting on her situation, Mais says, “It has now been five years since I have come to Jordan. I tried to work towards sitting the Tawjihi numerous times but I did not have the papers I needed from Syria to succeed at taking the tests here in Jordan. Opportunities to expand my skills have been difficult to find and for the most part, I have been sitting at home”.
Mais is the second youngest of six siblings, with one older brother who had been studying at Luminus Technical University College. When he mentioned the scholarship opportunities to her, she hurried to apply to the Art and Design program. She was soon accepted and began her studies in July 2018.
“I love drawing and experimenting with texture and design. One day I could see myself working at an advertising agency, designing things like logos or cards”.
The Government of Korea and UNESCO are collaborating to support access to meaningful, accredited post-basic education for a total of 250 vulnerable Jordanian youth and Syrian refugee youth in Jordan. The UNESCO Amman office has been taking a leadership role in ensuring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.
