Jusoor

🎓🚀 Last weekend saw the graduation of our first cohort of graduates from the four-semester, 24-credit teaching diploma program ‘Education in Emergencies’ in collaboration with the Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) generously supported by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints In an atmosphere filled with celebration, our twelve graduates received their diplomas, which will not only strengthen their professional foundation and long-term career stability but also empower them to offer the best possible education to our students in a curriculum catered to their specific needs.

To all those celebrating from our community around the world, Eid Mubarak! May this celebration bring moments of connection, gratitude, and renewal.

Our ‘Hope Through Education’ gala last February marked an important milestone for Jusoor with the launch of our ‘Bridges to Syria’ initiative, which is an invitation to explore how we, as Syrians and supporters of Syria, can contribute meaningfully to the future of education in Syria. Our supporters gathered at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco for a night that also featured a fireside chat on the needs and opportunities for displaced children in the region, an inspiring art auction showcasing works from Levant artists, and a captivating musical performance by Lebanese violinist Maria Bassil and Moroccan DJ Sami Ihsane. We are humbled and deeply grateful for the care and generosity shown to support education for Syria’s future leaders and the next phase of Jusoor’s journey. Learn more about ‘Bridges to Syria’ here: https://lnkd.in/d478c8mb

We are aware that multiple organizations use the name Jusoor. To clarify, Jusoor (www.jusoor.ngo) is an independent, non-political, and non-religious organization. We are not affiliated with, do not collaborate with, and do not endorse any other entity operating under the same name. Any organization, page, or initiative that does not display our official logo and is not listed on our verified platforms is not part of Jusoor and does not receive any funding or support from us. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dSiWvmmx

To make meaningful progress in our ‘Bridges to Syria’ initiative, we are looking for experts and advisors in education (curriculum development, accreditation, sustainable school models), AI and digital learning, and mental health who are interested in contributing insights, advising on strategy, or supporting the implementation of future programs. If you have expertise in any of these areas and want to be involved in Jusoor’s next chapter inside Syria, please fill out our expert & advisor interest form so we can reach out to you: https://zurl.co/zRTMF

On Monday, we welcomed members of the inspiring and successful Syrian diaspora community in Dubai for Jusoor’s Annual UAE Suhoor to raise awareness about Jusoor’s programs supporting Syrian children and youth around the world. We also took the gathering as an opportunity to introduce our new initiative ‘Bridges to Syria’ aiming to get our community deeply involved with Jusoor’s future intervention in education and vocational training inside Syria. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who made the evening special by taking part.

It’s been a month since we launched our ‘Bridges to Syria’ Initiative, marking Jusoor’s next chapter inside Syria. Here is an update on some of the progress made: - The recruitment process of hiring a Country Manager in Syria is underway. - Work has begun on a white paper examining the future of education in Syria. This research will help map the current gaps in education, propose potential solutions, and serve as a guiding document for long-term initiatives. - Plans are in motion for Jusoor’s fieldwork inside Syria, where we will directly engage with schools, educators, and local leaders. - Conversations with local organizations inside Syria have been progressing, particularly around teacher training programs, school rehabilitation, and vocational training efforts.  - Outreach for experts and advisors in education to help guide our interventions. Read more about our initiative’s updates, sign up as an expert, and follow the key discussions in progress here: https://lnkd.in/dmzUjdjB

Scroll through to meet the four Syrian and Palestinian software engineers who were hired by companies through our Tech Talent Pipelines project in collaboration with TalPods. The project offers an innovative pipeline for talented engineers to fast-track their careers and transition to senior positions within a relatively short timeframe while gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the tech world, bridging the skills gap in the ever-evolving world of technology. Abdulhadi Alrajab was hired by AlphaApps, an Abu Dhabi-based company offering digital solution services to businesses worldwide. Alrajab is studying for a Bachelor of Science and Informatics from Damascus University and has taken various online courses in programming and software development. Mohammad Khoulani was hired by Dubai-based travel app Wego. Khoulani, who is from Syria, has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Lebanese International University and has been working as a freelance full-stack developer for the past three years from Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, where he currently resides. Ahmad Bakkar was hired by Evershop, an open-source e-commerce solution platform. From Syria and currently based in Tripoli, Bakkar obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Lebanese University and has participated in Multaqa Bootcamp as well as taken various Coursera Specialised courses. Faisal Minawi was hired by Dubai-based travel app Wego. Minawi is originally Palestinian, based in Beirut, he holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the American University of Beirut and has been part of the McKinsey Academy Forward Program and holds a certificate in Machine Learning Specialization from DeepLearning AI.

Right To Play ran an intensive two-day workshop for Jusoor’s centers’ staff using interactive methods with engaging games, practical hands-on activities, and other methods that teachers can apply in their classrooms. The workshop was namely focused on the importance of learning through play and its benefits for nourishing young minds. Another cornerstone of the workshop was Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through play and how to integrate SEL into everyday lessons at school, especially through reading, speaking, listening, and writing. The workshop also explored what child protection and safeguarding mean in practice for the children in our care.

From coding to critical thinking and adapting to online learning during the war, our Future Skills Project’s third iteration brought together 75 adolescent Syrian refugee students to equip them with 21st-century skills for their futures. Funded by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (Al Ghurair Foundation), the project included courses on coding, critical thinking, and the English language. Due to the war in Lebanon, a portion of the project had to take place online – which our students adapted to despite all the obstacles they faced. من البرمجة إلى التفكير النقدي والتكيف مع التعلم عبر الإنترنت أثناء الحرب، جمعت النسخة الثالثة من مشروع مهارات المستقبل 75 طالبًا وطالبة في سن المراهقة لتزويدهم بمهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين لمستقبلهم. بتمويل من صندوق عبد العزيز الغرير لتعليم اللاجئين (مؤسسة عبدالله الغرير)، تضمن المشروع دورات في البرمجة والتفكير النقدي واللغة الإنجليزية. وبسبب الحرب في لبنان، كان لا بد من إجراء جزء من المشروع عبر الإنترنت - وهو ما تكيف معه طلابنا على الرغم من كل العقبات التي واجهوها.