Al Fakhoora Celebrates First Scholarship Group Graduation
July 2013, Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Future program celebrated the graduation of its first group of Al Fakhoora Scholars. A group of 60 students from various local and international universities paved the path of their own dynamic futures after intensive studies and exclusive engagement in a new educational model that envisioned building community and global leaders alongside traditional education. 52 of the students graduated from local universities in a variety of specialties, while eight International Masters Students completed their degrees in different specialties and in different countries.
Through collective efforts, the Al Fakhoora scholars planned, organized and implemented the graduation ceremony, dividing themselves into different committees such as logistics, drama, reception, student’s speaker representation, Palestinian folklore, and creative, including the creation of an Al Fakhoora anthem. Students wanted to make the party their own achievement; thus during August and September, they developed scripts for a play that reflected life before and after graduation an Al Fakhoora Anthem including lyrics and musical composition, speeches and more.
By the fifth of October, in one of the most spectacular venues in Gaza; reflective of the beauty of Palestinian historical design, the first graduation party was held at the Al Deira Hotel. Over 500 people attended from graduates and their families, to fellow Al Fakhoora students, academics, heads of universities and representatives of international organizations.
Abdallah Al Masri, who completed his degree with honor in Law from the Islamic University stated in his speech “Today, with overwhelming feeling, celebrates an ongoing journey of learning that Al Fakhoora started four years ago. We started as fresh students, inexperienced with life and academia. Within four years, we encountered challenging times, yet we had unlimited support from the Al Fakhoora team, that inspires us to be leaders in our field – Personally, and representing Al Fakhoora graduates today, I would like to state that we are very grateful for all those who contributed in building this unique program, above all, I would like to thank H.E Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser for her great initiative and inspiration that will have a lasting impact on our lives.”
Brining a valuable and rich new knowledge to Gaza, eight International Masters scholars marked their graduation from fields ranging from poverty reduction, water resources management, development, international communications, accounting to information technology. Noha Bashir who completed her MA degree in Cooperation and Development from Pavia University, in Italy stated “Today, we conclude a time full of accomplishments, a happy time, and the start of a new journey with hope and optimism with a promising future. We have been looking to this day to celebrate dreams that come true and we had, with Al Fakhoora’s support, the ability to reach these dreams. Reaching this is an honor for us. For all those who have contributed to this accomplishment, for the Al Fakhoora Family, Thank you so much.”
