Higher Education Graduates
COVID-19 affected the graduation plans of several DSMT HE scholarship girls in 2020. Click here to read more… In 2021 all those due to graduate were able to do so.
Nour – 2016 HE scholarship student
Nour completed her five-year degree in Architecture in summer 2021. Fortunately this year the university was able to hold a graduation ceremony. She is currently studying for the professional Architecture qualifications.
Haneen – 2017 HE scholarship student, partial award
Haneen graduated with a degree in Primary Education in 2021 and is now teaching mathematics to primary age students in first, second and third grades at Dar Al Tifl AL Arabi School.
Maram – 2016 HE scholarship student (partial award)
Maram graduated in Physics with Education in 2021 and is hoping to work in a secondary school.
Leen – 2015 HE scholarship student (partial award)
Leen graduated with a degree in Social Work with Psychology at Bethlehem University at the end of December 2019.t
Israa – 2015 HE scholarship student
Israa successfully completed her five year course in Architecture in summer 2020 though there was no university graduation ceremony because of Covid restrictions. After some temporary work experience and further online study she started a new job in summer 2022. “This job mainly deals with restoration and construction works also site supervision. It’s a new experience for me and I’m excited about it.” Congratulations and well done Israa! Read Israa’s report about life as a student in Palestine during Covid-19
Dana – 2015 HE scholarship student (partial award)
Dana successfully completed her four-year Law degree at Birzeit University in the summer of 2019. “First of all I would like to say thank you for this scholarship, which helped me a lot to register at university semesters and helped me to complete my bachelor’s degree. …To be frank, writing reports for DSMT was giving me a motivation to keep going and never give up. …….I started planning for my future …Right now I start taking courses in various legal subjects and I am seeking for a trainer’s certificate. And also I want to learn Hebrew and get my professional practice whether in the West Bank (Palestinian one) or in Jerusalem (Israeli one)…I plan to take English language courses so I will be able to volunteer in international human rights institutions, this give me also the chance to work with them in the future. The law student’s march is a long march in Jerusalem and I always seek to be a person with influence in this field”. From Dana’s final report, Summer 2019
Rand – 2014-2018 HE scholarship student
Rand graduated from Birzeit University in 2018 with a degree in Geography, History and Education with plans to go into tourism or teaching. “..I had an amazing experience in the past four years, and I could not have been more grateful for what happened, the university experiment changed me a lot and I am different person now…..Without the support of DSMT I would not have been through all of this, so I want to thank DSMT for the upholding of my higher education from the beginning to the end….” Summer 2018
Recently she wrote to us to update us on her situation:“I am really good and everything is fine. I’m working now with a tourism company for insider tours, I’ve just started the job so I’m still fresh but I think the job will be good for my experience. No, i didn’t start the Hebrew course, but i had life and work skills for 3 months course and it was benefit for me to know about market’s requirements. In the nearest opportunity i’ll have Hebrew language and tour guide courses. Sincerely, Rand”, June 2019
Left: Haya at her graduation. Right: With her husband.
Haya – 2013 HE sponsorship student
Former DSMT school scholarship holder Haya was sponsored by a donor through DSMT when she was about to drop out of her first year for financial reasons. In summer 2017 she graduated in Audiology and Speech Therapy from Birzeit University. Well done Haya! We wish you every success for the future.
“This year was full of achievements, it was the happiest year at all and I pass it successfully. Firstly, I completed two Hebrew language levels. Secondly, I did my special and exciting graduation project that was done the first time in the Arab world ‘Multi-Frequency Tympanometry Measurements in Normal Adults’. Thirdly, I pass all courses, practicums and the final exam successfully. And finally I graduated … Now I am preparing for the Israeli Board exams and I am volunteering for 160 hours at the Jerusalem Princess Basm Centre as a first stage before the exam. And after graduation on 14th July, I got married!”. Haya, 2017. Haya now has two children and is working in her specialist field.
Aya – 2012-2017 HE Scholarship Student
Aya graduated in Information Technology from Al Quds University in spring 2017. She married during her course and now has three children who keep her very busy. She hopes to work using her computer skills when the children are older. In 2018 Aya met with DSMT visitors, other alumnae and students and has since set up a DTA-DSMT Facebook page to help keep girls in touch with each other. She also keeps in contact with DSMT. “All thanks back to you and your support. I’m so thankful and lucky I was one of the girls you chose. This thing would never be forgotten, because of you I’ve finished my first step in university and I’m looking forward to have a masters degree in IT of Business MITB by God willing…. Thank you DSMT, you added a lot to me. I hope every single Palestinian student has a chance to be supported from an organisation like you. All respect to you. Your thankful student.” Aya 2017.
Rinad – 2013-2016 HE Scholarship Student
Congratulations to Rinad. Her range of study and exceptionally high grades throughout her course enabled her to graduate in three years instead of four! Since graduation Rinad has been continuing her training to be a lawyer. She wrote to us recently to update us on her progress. “… Thank you for your email. I am doing very well, I got the Palestinian licence and currently I am working at a big legal office in Ramallah, I supervise four trainee lawyers. I am pleading in front of the court daily. Regarding my Master degree, I will be graduated of Master in law at June 2020. I will start the preparation for Israeli licence, hopefully in September 2020”. With kind regards, Rinad (December 2019).
We wish Rinad every success with her training and future career.
Hala – 2011-2015 HE scholarship student
Photo: Hala with Jo Walker of DSMT in East Jerusalem, April 2018
Hala graduated from Birzeit University in summer 2015 with a degree in English and Business. DSMT HE scholarships encourage girls to take a full part in university life including voluntary work and Hala certainly did this, developing her organisational skills and building up her CV. Despite high unemployment in the OPTs, after just a few weeks she secured a post in Jerusalem with international courier company Fedex where she was promoted twice.
She has recently changed her job and is now the Co-ordinator for the Academic and Social Support Programme at the Al-Saraya Center in East Jerusalem. The programme assists 6-12 year olds facing problems at school through use of unconventional/non formal teaching methods and by enhancing their life skills. Hala’s previous work experience and her degree place her in a good position to continue doing well. She is passionate about her current employment and gets a great deal of satisfaction of helping young people to realise their potential despite the difficulties they face. Longer term she would like to study for a Masters if she could secure funding, and gain work experience abroad to develop her career.
“I said to my mother a few days ago, I am so happy with my life. I have a degree, a job, a car. I can help my family – and I can wear what I like! Thank you DSMT for my scholarship which started me off on this path”. Hala, April 2017
Tamara – 2007-2012 HE scholarship student
The first DSMT award holder, Tamara Halasi, graduated in summer 2012 with a BSc in Materials Engineering at Al Quds University. Tamara’s participation in university life and her extensive volunteering led to her being selected in her final year to visit the UK with fellow students in 2011. In 2012 as a graduate she returned to London to take part in a five month volunteer project organised by Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association. In 2013 she took up a post as an engineer with a multi-national company in UAE. After studying in the UK in 2015-16 Tamara is now back in Palestine and seeking a job, ideally in medical engineering.
