FURTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Each year the Foundation awards three Student of the Year prizes
to scholars who have completed their studies in the previous calendar
year.
As our students start and end their studies at very different academic levels what we assess is the size of each student's personal achievement. Prize winners return to the UK from their countries to collect their awards during the Foundation's Annual Dinner in London. The KRSF Student of the Year receives $10,000 and the two runners up $6,000 and $4,000.
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First prize winner – Mahmoud Natout
Lebanese, MSt in Science and Religion, University of Oxford.
Mahmoud’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and tolerance led him to co-found the Religious Studies Society at Oxford University where he was elected “Interfaith dialogue coordinator”. He organised a fortnightly film night promoting awareness about the different religions in Lebanon. He collaborated with the International Interfaith Centre, as well as with representatives of different faiths in Oxford, to build a network of resources to promote dialogue and awareness. Mahmoud also volunteered and fundraised for MEND-UK a charity that works to promote democracy and non-violence in the Middle East. One of his fellow students told us that, during his time in Oxford, Mahmoud had “created ties between unexpected quarters and people from all backgrounds and beliefs”. Mahmoud is now back in Lebanon and will soon begin teaching at the Lebanese American University.
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Second prize winner – Mona Jebril
Palestinian, MSc Higher Education, University of Oxford.
Mona was the best performing student on her course and the only one to achieve a distinction mark for her written examinations. Her dissertation topic (a comparison of the higher education systems in Palestine and Israel) was a complex and challenging undertaking. Her supervisor told us that even though Mona experienced major difficulties conducting research as the Israelis launched an attack on Gaza, the result was an insightful piece of work which shed light on very complicated issues. Mona has now returned to Gaza where she teaches English at secondary school level and trains newly qualified teachers.
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Third prize winner – Mazen Haffar
Syrian, MSc in Information Systems, Organisation and Management, University of Manchester.
Mazen was awarded his degree with distinction overall but he claims that his biggest achievement during his time in the UK was learning to think critically. Since his return to Syria, with a group of friends, has founded the Syrian Young Thinkers Association which aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional work requirements and equip young Syrians for an increasingly challenging job market. Mazen works as Business Solutions Manager for Syriatel Mobile Telecom in Damascus. |
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Joint first prize winner – Ali Souleman
Syrian, DPhil in Arabic Drama, University of Oxford
Ali’s research on the Syrian dramatist, Sa’dallah Wannus fills a gap in scholarship on modern Arabic drama. Whilst in the UK Ali wrote for the Arab press about cultural and intellectual life in Britain and for British magazines on Arab culture and theatre. He also gave public lectures about modern Arabic theatre and the Syrian novel. He was an active member of his local society for the visually impaired and a member of the Royal National Institute for the Blind student community. Ali lobbied organisations and companies on the importance of including Arabic language in the development of assistive technology and his activities contributed towards the development of the first computer screen reader for blind Arab users. He also helped establish the first talking academic library in Arabic. Ali has returned to Syria where he is teaching at the Higher Institute of Performing Arts in Damascus. He is a regular contributor to the Syrian press, and is working to establish the first computer unit for blind people in Syria. |
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Joint first prize winner – Nour Al Rasheed
Jordan, MA in International Development, Bristol University.
During her time in Bristol, Nour was involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. She acted as a mentor for young people, became a student ambassador for disadvantaged young people and worked as a senior residential assistant in a summer school where she was the only non-British participant. She was also chosen to represent Jordan in an international project for the United Nations Population Fund. When she completed her Master’s she was invited to the United Nations Population Fund Headquarters in New York to represent the Arab world on a global panel that provides advice on international youth projects. Nour also excelled in her studies and her academic supervisor said: “Her performance was excellent. She demonstrated exceptional commitment to her work.” Noor has now returned to Jordan where she is employed as a Youth Worker with the Princess Basma Centre, an NGO that promotes the participation of young people in Jordanian society. |
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Runner-up – Raid Khattab
Jordanian, MSc in Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey.
Raid designs and manufactures artificial limbs and the course provided him with advanced skills in orthopaedic, prosthetic and rehabilitation engineering. There is a lack of expertise in this field across the Middle East, so Raid’s return to the region has helped fill an important skills gap. His Master’s project dealt with gait analysis and he helped develop a new kind of prosthetic foot for amputees. Since completing his course, Raid has returned to Jordan and pursued his charity work with amputees and other physically disabled persons. He has also been putting what he learned into practice with the Foundation’s Syria Disability Programme where he is providing much needed training for prosthetists and orthotists at Ibn-al-Nafis hospital in Damascus.
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