Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures Programme Hugely Successful In Gaza
Doha, 24 Rabiul Akhir 1437/3 February 2016 (MINA) –Al Fakhoora, a programme of Education Above All Foundation on Tuesday,(01/02) unveiled an Impact Assessment of the Dynamic Futures Programme active in Gaza since 2009 in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report showcases the outstanding results achieved impacting the lives of Palestinian youth in terms of interpersonal skills and employment opportunities.
The most significant outcome of the programme is the economic empowerment given to Palestinian youth, 73 percent of alumni were able to obtain short and long-term job opportunities.
A total of 580 students have benefitted from the Fakhoora Scholarship programme, including a balanced male or female representation of 550 undergraduates and 30 graduate students, The Peninsula News quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
Participants engaged in life skills training and volunteering activities and said, they felt an increase in self-confidence and a strong sense of pride.
They also said they had developed skills in communicating with and leading others.
One student highlighted the benefits of the programme and said it helped “break the barriers of fear, shame, confusion and lack of personal skills and self-confidence”.
Farooq Burney, Director, Al Fakhoora, said, “The programme empowers Palestinian youth to become leaders of their communities and globally through education.
“We are proud to see the direct impact of our academic programmes and training on the lives of youth in Gaza.
“The results unveiled today are very rewarding and encouraging, We will continue our efforts to support the education sector in the Gaza Strip.”
The report takes a holistic approach to assessing progress over the past five years of the programme, taking into account responses from former participants, participating educational institutions, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
The key quantitative and qualitative results highlighted speak for themselves.
Evaluation of quality of education, 214 participants have completed academic programmes, 75 percent of students achieved a GPA range between outstanding and very good, high GPAs are partly due to the security felt by students, allowing them to concentrate on their education, 21 classrooms benefitted from new IT equipment, 42 academic staff were trained with four courses and 140 hours of instruction,
Evaluation of student affairs, 82 percent of students are satisfied by the services provided by student affairs managed by Al Fakhoora house.
Evaluation of leadership development, 90 percent of students think the programme helped them highly value the importance of voluntary work, particularly needed in a context like Gaza, As a result, 44 percent of students are involved in community services; the Virtual Majlis experience was a lifetime experience for 80 percent of Gazan youth.
The Dynamic Futures project aims to provide 1,000 scholarships by 2016 and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. (T/Imt/R07)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
