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Ammon News - Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, with the support of Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), through Qatar Scholarship Programme, has entered into a cooperation agreement with the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Luminus Technical University College (LTUC) to develop scholarship programmes, which will award scholarships to 1200 disadvantaged youth over the next four years. In conjunction, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the relevant Ministries in Lebanon and Jordan in support of the programme.

The Qatar Scholarship Programme, implemented by EAA's Al Fakhoora programme, will serve marginalised Lebanese, Jordanian, Palestinian and Syrian youth, allowing them to access quality education, student support services, and civic engagement opportunities. The programme will also enable students to participate in extramural events such as conferences and workshops, and opportunities to engage with Qatari educational institutions and organisations. Additionally, top students from both universities will be selected to study abroad in Qatar at some of the countrys leading universities under the scholarship programme.

At Luminus Technical University College in Jordan, this programme will award 800 scholarships to Syrian and Palestinian refugee youth, as well as marginalised Jordanian youth, allowing them to complete their higher education at the diploma, associate degree and bachelors degree levels.

At the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, the programme will support 400 socio-economically disadvantaged Lebanese and refugee youth in pursuit of an undergraduate degree.

Director General of QFFD Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari said: "At QFFD, the support of quality education is positioned in the forefront of supporting communities around the world. We believe that the support of education results in empowering the youth and therefore they will be able to build a community that nourishes and brings justice and peace. The scholarships offered to refugees through the Qatar Scholarship Programme will enable the youth to expand their knowledge and gain expertise to build a bright future for themselves and their communities."

Fahad Al Sulaiti from Education Above All Foundation said "We remain committed to our mission to raise educational opportunities despite the many challenges, particularly for students from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds. Jordan is facing complex challenges brought about by the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing refugee crisis, while Lebanon is reeling from the pandemic and is home to the worlds highest number of refugees per capita. Through our new partnerships, we aim to ensure that the next generation of students across the region can continue learning despite all difficulties."

Ibrahim Safadi, CEO and Founder of Luminus Education Group, said: "Luminus has always been a firm believer in youth, and our goal is to help them enhance their quality of life by equipping them with the tools they need to build a better future, which is why we strive to provide our students with high-quality, demand-driven, technical and practical education that is powered by technology and reinforced with practical experience to facilitate their smooth transition to the job market. Our partnership with EAA's scholarship programme helps us to reach even more of those who are in dire need of such opportunities; together we give them a better chance to shape a better future."

AUB Deputy Provost, Lina Choueiri, PhD, said: "We are excited to partner with EAA for the Qatar Scholarship Programme, which will strengthen AUBs efforts to further extend access to high quality education to disadvantaged youth from across Lebanon, including those from its large refugee population, and this agreement could not come at a more critical time with Lebanons economical and financial crises adding a heavy burden on higher education institutions."

Both Lebanon and Jordan are also host to approximately 1.5 million and 1.3 million Syrian refugees respectively, thereby putting additional strains on the two countries' educational systems and infrastructures. As a result of the deteriorating situation, educational exclusion, particularly among the most disadvantaged youth, is deepening.

The Qatar Scholarship Programme is part of a five-year expansion in which EAA commits to awarding 4,000 scholarships throughout the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond, in close partnership with institutions that are models of excellence in their respective countries and regions.

*QNA