NEW YORK — Twenty-two students and alumni from the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP) gathered in New York City in August for the Qatar Connections Civic Engagement Conference, marking the culmination of a yearlong fellowship.
During the four-day conference, fellows presented projects they had developed over the past year in response to needs in their communities. They exchanged ideas, received feedback and explored ways to sustain and further develop their work.
The Qatar Connections Civic Engagement Fellowship is a yearlong program that brings together recipients of Qatar-supported scholarships from universities in the United States and other countries. Participants take part in monthly civic engagement workshops, virtual conferences and professional development sessions while developing a Civic Action Plan around a community need they have identified.
The fellowship builds on the QSAP platform and partnership, established following the disruption of higher education for Afghan students in 2021. QSAP is supported by Education Above All Foundation, the Qatar Fund for Development, the Institute of International Education, Afghan Future Fund, the Yalda Hakim Foundation and other partners, while the fellowship also brings in the Global Higher Education Alliance for the 21st Century and Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement.
Hani Shehada, regional manager for Al Fakhoora at Education Above All Foundation, said the projects show how educational opportunities have an impact beyond individual students.
“Once students regain stability and access to education, they rarely focus only on personal advancement,” said Shehada. “They begin to apply their knowledge, experiences and networks to address challenges facing others.
The fellows’ projects address a range of issues, including education and mentorship, women’s health and empowerment, refugee integration, mental health, financial literacy, digital safety, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.
The 29 projects developed through the fellowship reflect the fellows’ academic backgrounds, lived experiences and needs they have identified in their communities.
Their initiatives range from expanding educational opportunities for Afghan girls to helping refugees navigate life in the United States, strengthening digital safety and addressing environmental challenges.
To meet the fellows and learn about their projects, visit this page.