Quitting is NOT AN OPTION

From Syria, Homs; seeking Undergraduate degree in Computer Science and is enrolled at UCSI.  

I am a 25-year-old Syrian refugee. I grew up in Al-Qusayr, Homs. I left Syria to Lebanon and then to Turkey. I am seeking a degree in Computer Science at UCSI University. 

My passion for computer science started at an early age. I used to accompany my mother who suffered severe headaches to the doctor’s office.  Her doctor used to spend a lot of time looking for her medical records, wasting his and his patients’ time. I always thought there should be a better way of retrieving patient information. We need a  health care system with cross-references to physicians of different specialties, laboratories, and hospitals to enable doctors access the patients’ medical record. Coming from an 11-year-old kid in Al-Qusayr in 2004, this was pretty novel. I am pretty confident that given my skill level today,  other mothers and their 11-year-old sons will not have to wait for hours while their physicians find their records. 

I finished high school and got to  Al-Baath University to pursue a degree in Civil engineering. I was not a big fan of this discipline, but I had no alternative. Hostilities broke out in 2011 and I could not even finish my first semester in college. 

Moving to Lebanon was a major predicament.  Life in a refugee camp was life without dignity.  I could not pay for my education. I had to work to help my family survive.  

I faced countless challenges throughout my 9 years of displacement.  But I was always optimistic about my prospects, my perspectives and how I can accomplish my goals.  

I got a partial scholarship for a BTEC HND Diploma in Computing and System development in Turkey. I graduated ranking 1st in my cohort and was awarded BTEC Silver Award 2019 Student of the year. It was a competition among over 205 academies and universities students world-wide.  

I had a pleasant surprise as I was writing this story. I negotiated IIE to provide me with support at a fraction of the cost of my Salve Regina scholarship. IIE just informed me that they will fund my education in Turkey. I will only need to raise funds for my living expenses and my computer.

I am very persistent and passionate about learning. Completing my undergraduate degree in Computer science would open doors to develop  my ideas in different fields starting with the national Syrian health care system all the way to developing solutions that improve lives of my compatriots when peace finally returns to Syria. 

Why Would Donors Fund You?

• I hope that donors would have faith in me. I believe that I demonstrated  my ability to triumph over my circumstances despite the challenges. I have proven myself worthy of support. Off all the testimonials above, nothing will matter more than someone telling me: I will give you a chance. To my donors I say: “I feel I have what it takes to make you proud.” 

How Do You Plan to Payback?

Data science has preventive, diagnostic and pharmaceutical applications. I want to become a health care data scientist and help in the reconstruction of the health sector in Syria. By establishing a research institute, I will put to use the transformational potential of data science and machine learning technologies.

Once I raise funds to buy a new computer I will donate my old computer to another student.

I want to volunteer with edSeed as soon as I sort out my plans for the coming two months.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

In Lebanon, I volunteered with Ghiras Al-Khaeer Humanitarian association, working in the Orphans Financial Aid program. I was responsible for distributing the monthly financial aid and food rations donated by philanthropists. 

Volunteered as an organizer of “Dream League Cup” in Istanbul in the summer of 2019. official facebook page of the league (https://www.facebook.com/DreamInternationalleague/?ref=py_c). 

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

Education is essential to everyone, but for a refugee it is his/her only salvation. An uneducated person will have to wait online for handouts. With the proper education I can lend a hand to those in need.  

1. I was committed to continuous learning. I attended several online courses to improve my skills as a refugee: 
2. I continued to learn English on BBC and engVid,  and through courses available for free online and YouTube. 
3. I attended a programming workshop sponsored by UNHCR and SAP.     
4. I completed  IELTS exam to add an extra point to my academic profile.
5. I have attended several free online courses which played a vital role in improving my personal skillset.
6. I took several online courses in Big Data, Python, SQL and machine learning.   

 Awards and Achievements:

1. Golden Medal from Majed Magazine for my Outstanding achievement in 11th  grade. 
2. BTEC Silver Award  IT And Computing Student of the year 2019. It is an international award given to the most distinguished BTEC student. The winner competes with students from 200 universities around the world. 
3. Web Development Course/CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING  sponsored by SAP and UNHCR.
4. Certificate of Completion after completing an online course in BIG DATA science.   

 Press Mentions 

http://www.dubaicityinfo.com/cityguide/press_news_33844.aspx

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/BTECAwards2019/BTEC_Awards_2019-All_Winners.pdf  ) 

https://www.facebook.com/PearsonMEhub/posts/2283987891656375/

   (https://www.facebook.com/PearsonMEhub/posts/btec-students-in-the-middle-east-are-  setting-the-bar-for-excellence-in-career-fo/2283987891656375/ )