In May 2024, Horizon’s CEO, Samia El Tabari, attended the UWC Maastricht graduation of three of its scholars. All three, one from Syria and two from Tibet, graduated successfully and have now moved on to study for undergraduate degrees in the United States. Whilst in Maastricht, as part of Horizon’s pastoral care, Samia also took the opportunity to meet with Horizon’s other scholars at UWC Maastricht who have now completed the first year of their IB Diploma and are beginning their final year of study at the school. In addition, she also connected with school staff and tutors to follow up on scholars’ progress and strengthen Horizon’s partnership with the school.
Horizon’s Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) encourages its scholars to lead projects that promote cross-cultural understanding. Over the past two years, Horizon has awarded CEI grants to a Palestinian student at UWC Atlantic and a Syrian scholar at UWC Maastricht to purchase an oud (pictured above) for their respective schools. Tibetan students were also supported at UWC Maastricht with the purchase of a Tibetan lute and five Tibetan flutes. The instruments were used by the scholars to introduce Arab and Tibetan music to their peers and to perform in school concerts. All of the instruments will remain at the schools to be used in future.
Meet a selection of Horizon scholars and hear their personal stories about their educational journeys so far.
Meet Mohamad, a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon, who received a Horizon scholarship to attend UWC Atlantic in the UK (2017-2019). Mohamad is now doing a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Delaware in the United States.
In 2022/23, the Foundation supported two scholars to implement projects in Palestine and Jordan. The first was held in Dheisheh refugee camp by Mai, a Horizon-UWC Atlantic graduate from Palestine, and supported 50 pre-school children academically and provided psychosocial and recreational activities. The second project was designed by Hasan, a Horizon-Amala graduate from Syria in Amman. Hasan’s project targeted 22 young refugees in Jordan who benefitted from a five-month training programme in areas such as life skills, cultural exchange through art and sport, and project planning (see photo).
Horizon also supported Tsethar, who was studying at the University of Richmond in the USA, to facilitate the screening of a documentary film and cultural event which enabled him to introduce his culture to an audience of Americans who previously knew little about Tibet.
In June 2023, Horizon staff met scholars, old and new, in Amman and Beirut. Whilst in Amman, the Horizon CEO and Scholar Liaison Manager were able to meet scholars and staff of the Amala Education programme and learnt more about the personal interest projects all Amala students conduct as part of their diploma. In Beirut, Horizon held a gathering with 12 Horizon school and university students (pictured).
Horizon-UWC Maastricht graduate, Dima, recently spoke at the UN Education Cannot Wait Conference as a global youth ambassador and representative of Palestine.
Whilst there, Dima took the opportunity to talk about education in the Palestinian context and called on global leaders to talk about what is happening in Palestine and to support the Palestinians’ right to safety and basic human rights.
In November 2022, Horizon staff visited UWC Atlantic to catch up with Horizon scholars, their tutors and other school staff. Whilst there, we held a dinner with the seven scholars being supported by Horizon.
In May 2023, Horizon staff visited UWC Mostar and UWC Maastricht. In addition to meeting scholars and attending graduation ceremonies, we also met with their tutors and other staff at the schools. We also had the opportunity to spend time with scholars off campus (pictured).
The Foundation is keen to keep in touch with its scholars, old and new. In November 2022, we met up with a group of them who are based in/near London (pictured). This was a great opportunity for us to catch up with them and for the scholars to get to know each other and network.
During the course of the year, the Foundation also organised a series of online gatherings. In October 2022 an event was held to welcome new UWC scholars and introduce them to each other. In addition, in June and July 2023, the Foundation organised two communications training workshops for some of its school and university scholars.
Meet Rania, a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon, who received a Horizon scholarship to attend UWC Thailand (2020-2022). Rania is now pursuing undergraduate studies in the United States.