Bulletin: It’s That Time of Year Again: Edu Fairs, High School Grads Hunting for Colleges and Scholarships
It’s Not the End of the World
In our new bulletin, Al-Fanar Media brings you the most prominent news of higher education in the Arab world and a selection of our own news stories, in addition to commentaries by experts in the region and new postings on our database of scholarships available to Arab students.
Reading this bulletin’s headline might make you think we are going to talk about climate change, global warming, and extreme weather phenomena around the world, with the dangers they bring to humanity. But instead, I am talking here about the 2023 high school-exit exam results in Egypt.
The exam, called Thanaweya Amma, places immense pressure on students, because it affects much more than getting a high school diploma. Students’ scores on the exam determine what fields they can study in national universities and affect their subsequent employment prospects. Thus, while the overall pass rate on the exam was up this year, to 78.8 percent, many students still may be disappointed with their results.
But I want to assure you, your results on the exam are not the end of the world; rather, they represent a new beginning and a turning point from one stage to another, in terms of age and education. You are now standing at a new station, heading to meet an array of future possibilities.
Whatever your final grades were, and whatever college you will join, it is indispensable to arm yourself with the basic skills required for the labour market. There is no dispute that regardless of your specialisation, you must acquire personal skills, including “soft skills”, for example, among others.
Indeed, it is not the end of the world, and Al-Fanar hopes to help you chart the features of your future. By following our stories, you will learn about the most important majors awaiting you, the best scholarship opportunities, and the future of your chosen academic specialisation in the labour market.
Until our next bulletin, stay safe, and remain hopeful.
Mohammad El-Hawary
Al-Fanar Media editor-in-chief
News:
Egypt Hosts an International University Fair Just as a New High School Class Graduates
As Egypt’s Ministry of Education announced the results of the 2023 high school-exit exams, the consultancy firm EDUGATE launched its annual international university fair in Egypt.
The 2023 exhibition was held July 30 to August 1 at a Cairo hotel under the auspices of Egypt’s minister of higher education, Ayman Ashour, and the Association of Arab Universities. With the apt slogan of “All Universities under One Roof”, the event brought together universities, colleges and other training institutions, along with grant and scholarship providers.
The British University in Egypt was among the exhibitors. It offered a 10 percent discount on tuition fees for students who registered to enroll in through the fair, according to a university statement received by our bulletin. The offer was conditional on paying the first installment of expenses within three days. In addition, the university offered a 20 percent discount on tuition fees for students applying to the Chinese language department at its College of Arts and Humanities.
Pakistan Offers Scholarships to Palestinian Students
The Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced that Pakistan is offering a number of scholarships for undergraduate students to study various disciplines at private universities in Pakistan for the 2023–2024 academic year.
To view scholarship instructions, requirements, and required documents, click here. Use this link to learn about the majors available to applicants. To apply for these scholarships, click here.
U. of Jordan’s Leader Speaks at World University Presidents Forum in Beijing
Nathir Obeidat, president of the University of Jordan, was among more than 150 university presidents representing 36 countries who attended the recent World University Presidents Forum in Beijing. The two-day forum, convened by the Chinese Association of Higher Education in cooperation with Peking University and Tsinghua University, discussed the future of universities in an era of rapidly emerging new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
In his address to the gathering, Dr. Obeidat spoke about future directions of higher education and the responsibility of universities to foster leadership development, innovation, and training, said a statement from the University of Jordan.
The forum panels also discussed ways for creating a joint university response to the rapid developments in information technology and the use of artificial intelligence tools in education, while preserving national identity in light of globalisation.
Khalifa University and Graphene Composites Firm to Collaborate
Khalifa University of Science and Technology, in Abu Dhabi, has announced that its Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC–2D) has entered into a collaborative partnership with the advanced-materials engineering company Graphene Composites (GC).
This collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing the scientific development and commercial deployment of graphene-based technologies, the university said in a statement late last month.
Graphene is an ultra-thin, flexible material that is stronger than steel yet incredibly lightweight, and Abu Dhabi has become a key funder of research into its potential applications across multiple industries.
Hassan Arafat, senior director of RIC–2D, said the center’s collaboration with GC will focus “on harnessing the immense capabilities of graphene composites. By combining our research strengths, we aim to accelerate the adoption of graphene-based technologies and contribute to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and industrialization initiatives.”
Culture:
‘Back to Alif’: Nada Abdallah’s Art Is Inspired by the Holy Letter of the Arabic Alphabet
On the surface, Alif is the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, with a numerical value of 1. But the letter frames different concepts. It signifies God, the only One, the First, the Beginning and the Last. The artist Nada Abdallah is fascinated with alif has devoted her energy, time, skill and knowledge of Arabic calligraphy to expressing it in art. Read more in this article.
Our Suggestions:
Antonine University Launches Lebanon’s First Outdoor Activities Diploma
With the end of the Covid-19 global health emergency, more people in Lebanon are out enjoying nature and adventure, especially in the mountains that run almost the entire 150-mile length of the country. That renewed interest in outdoor activities is one of the circumstances that prompted Antonine University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences to launch the country’s first Mountain Guide and Outdoor Activities diploma, which it hopes will become essential for those working with the public in the wild. Explore more in this article.
Lebanese Designer Elie Saab Takes Pride in His Students and His Country
The internationally renowned designer Elie Saab has collaborated with the fashion design programme at the Lebanese American University since its inception 10 years ago. Saab was present on June 12 when the rooftop of the building that houses the programme was turned into a catwalk for models displaying the creations of ten fashion design graduates. Read more in this article.
Opinion:
Earthquake Tragedy Highlights Need for Arab Social Research on Natural Disasters
As was seen in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria this year, social media can play an important role in supporting governmental and voluntary relief efforts in times of natural disasters. Unfortunately, false social media posts can also hinder relief efforts and impair the ability of victims to find accurate information they critically need. Ehab Hamdi, a lecturer of mass communication at Alexandria University, argues that this dual scenario demonstrates the need for more Arab social science research on crisis communications. Read more in this commentary that Hamdi wrote for Al-Fanar Media.
In Conflict:
Sudan’s War Disrupts Universities, Leaving More Students in Limbo
The war between rival generals in Sudan that has killed more than 1,800 people since mid-April is posing unprecedented challenges for higher education. Universities that have suffered a series of disruptions since 2018 have been forced to close again. Check more in this article.
Scholarships:
Al-Fanar Media maintains a database of quality scholarships for Arab students, which we continuously update. You can follow our website to stay up to date on the latest scholarships available in international universities. Check the Scholarships section here, and do not miss our constantly updated feedback on free learning opportunities in the News and Reports section, here.
Recent postings to our scholarship database include:
- Danish Government Scholarships for Graduate Study at the University of Copenhagen
- University of Sydney International Scholarship for Master’s or Ph.D. Study
- UAEU Postdoctoral Fellowship on Climate Actions
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