Four Arab universities win grants competition

Four Arab universities have won a grants competition organised by Silatech, a regional social initiative founded by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP), a non-profit organisation.

The contest was part of the Wajibi: My Education, My Community university civic engagement initiative launched by Silatech in January. Out of numerous strong proposals, two Moroccan universities and two Palestinian universities will receive grants.

Al Akhawayn University (AUI), a public institution in Ifrane, Morocco; Ibn Zohr University (UIZ), a public institution in Agadir, Morocco; The Islamic University of Gaza (IUG); and Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU), located in the West Bank city of Hebron, are the winners.

The four universities will be awarded up to $20,000 that will be used to develop and implement policies and programmes that enhance civic engagement on their universities and in their communities.

Silatech works to improve employment, entrepreneurship and civic engagement opportunities for Arab youth, whereas ICP is a global leader in the field of youth civic engagement.

AUI has crafted an initiative that builds on social responsibility in its strategic plan and a mandated community service requirement for all degree-seeking undergraduates. Their programme will consist of 15 faculty members who will pilot the inclusion of service learning in 30 courses, placing 450 students with 10 non-governmental organisations, with the aim of extending the approach to most courses at the university.

The UIZ will establish a university network that will serve to centralise all civic engagement activities and practices. The goals of the network are to encourage and support all campus activities related to the field; engage with the ecosystem through partnering with civil society organisations; enhance the capacity of the local community; and encourage students and academics to engage in community-based research. 

The IUG has created an initiative that will assess the awareness of the importance of civic engagement at the university level; develop a strategic plan to promote participation and community service on campus; spread the culture of civic engagement and societal service within different university departments and faculties; and develop and disseminate a directory on civic engagement best practices to students and faculty.

The PPU will build capacity for and standardise best practices of civic engagement by piloting initiatives in service learning, volunteer work, and community-based research. More than 125 students, faculty, and academic staff will participate in awareness and training workshops, update curricula, and create volunteer and service learning projects in the local community.

Since being founded in 2008, Silatech has financed over 78,000 youth-owned businesses, created or sustained over 86,000 jobs, and trained over 1800 youth-focused NGO staff. Silatech currently has programmes in 15 Arab countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.