Tribune News Network
DOHA
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, Institute of International Education (IIE), and the Afghan Future Fund (AFF) hosted a special event during the United Nations General Assembly to highlight recent efforts made to provide higher education opportunities for Afghan refugees and discuss how to address future challenges.
The event featured welcoming remarks by Jonah Kokodyniak, executive vice-president of IIE, followed by keynote speeches from representatives of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US Department of State and other organisations.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar HE Lolwah bint Rashid Mohammed Al Khater, as well as US dignitaries John Bass, Under Secretary for Political Affairs; and Tom Malinowski, former Congressman from New Jersey, attended the event, emphasising the importance of access to education for Afghan refugee youth.
The event included stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Qatar Scholarship for Afghan Project (QSAP), showcasing partnerships between Qatar and US public and private sectors aimed at ensuring marginalised Afghan women, girls and young men can thrive through education.
Highlighting Qatar’s commitment to this cause in her opening key remarks, Khater said, “Qatar is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every young Afghan, especially women and girls, have access to the transformative power of education. Education is a universal right, and Qatar, through our partnership with the US and other international stakeholders, will continue to be steadfast in its efforts to empower Afghan youth, safeguard their educational opportunities and invest in their potential.”
In his keynote address, Under Secretary Bass emphasised the State Department’s support for QSAP, stating, “We are eager to continue this critical partnership – working together to ensure that Afghan women and girls have opportunities not only to learn — but to determine their own futures.”
The event also featured a panel exploring the profound impact of programmes that provide scholarships and related assistance to Afghan students, such as QSAP. Panellists included Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of EAA; Dr Allan Goodman, CEO of IIE; Vance Serchuk, chairman of the Board of AFF; Rina Amiri, US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights; Jonathan Becker, executive vice-president and vice-president for Academic Affairs; Director, Center for Civic Engagement; Professor of Political Studies, Bard College; Shahzad Ahmad, associate vice-president of Center for International Studies, St. Cloud State University, and Arezo Kohistany, Board Member of AFF.
Building on EAA’s global efforts, Talal Al Hothal, director of the Al Fakhoora programme, EAA Foundation, said: “The EAA Foundation aims to protect the fundamental right to education, including higher education. Through the Al Fakhoora programme, EAA has provided more than 10,800 scholarships for marginalised youth across 10 countries.”
In a concerted effort to make quality education a reality for Afghans in the US and across the globe, a coalition of esteemed foundations and universities have come together to create transformative education opportunities for Afghan students.
Organisations including EAA, AFF, IIE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (MOFA-QatarR), Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Schmidt Futures and the Yalda Hakim Foundation have provided scholarships, mentorship programmes and academic support to ensure that Afghan students can pursue their educational dreams, despite any challenges.
The partnership provides ample opportunities for Afghan women and men to continue their education in top-tier universities.
More than 80 attendees also had the opportunity to hear inspiring stories of resilience and success from Afghan students who have benefited from these initiatives.
