JOSEPH VARGHESE

DOHA IN ITS continued commitment to youth empowerment through education, Al Fakhoora in coordination with the Islamic Development Bank has launched a vocational education project for the youth of Gaza.

Entitled ‘Youth Empowerment through Vocational Training and Income Generation Projects in Gaza Strip’, the programme targets 100 marginalised youth offering them vocational training in eight different programmes.

The 15-month programme will be implemented by Islamic Relief Palestine and the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza.

The programme is designed to offer the Palestinian youth vocational training in sewing and embroidery, cooking and food processing, computer programming, web and multimedia design, mobile phone maintenance, autotronics, photography and video production.

Al Fakhoora has advocated for the right of the youth to education in Gaza since its inception in 2009 and has offered scholarships to 300 students to complete their university education. An expansion into non-conventional education is seen as a natural movement towards providing education to all youth.

Al Fakhoora Director Farooq Burney said vocational training was very significant in empowering the youth with skills required by the labour market as well as providing much needed services in Gaza.

“Vocational education provides the knowhow for services that are crucial within the dynamics of any basic economy.

Education is not restricted to its classical definition of theoretical and mainstream education, its breadth allows us to explore and invest in providing youth with practical skills that will flourish through guidance and training,” Burney said.

Lauding the efforts of Al Fakhoora, Dr Mohammed al Sousi, country director of Islamic Relief Palestine said, “Following the success of a small scale pilot programme, Al Fakhoora recognised the opportunity to further deliver on its pledge to the right to education through vocational training.

“The pilot programme saw the establishment of 30 small businesses. With the launch of the Al Fakhoora programme we will see 50 small businesses created. The Gaza Strip desperately needs multi dimensional programmes that can improve things for the youth on a social, economic and educational level.” The programme also makes provision for students with special needs by allocating 20 percent of the 100 places for such students. Gender equity has also been taken into consideration with 43 places assigned to female applicants.

The initial phase of the programme will run for four months at the University College of Applied Sciences.

The students will enlist in their chosen courses.

All students will then be required to take a managerial course designed to provide them with the basics of setting up their own businesses.

Upon submission of a feasibility study, 50 students will be selected to take part in the second phase of the programme.

Islamic Relief will provide the students with set-up grants while the remaining 50 students will be guaranteed short term job placements.