On Monday, March 13, 2023, Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology, in partnership with the Thabiri Project, organized a ceremony to award 39 scholarships to female students, including those with disabilities. The event was held at the college’s auditorium. The Thabiri Project is implemented by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), with funding from the Government of Canada.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Amer Massad, Dean of Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology; Ms. Suhad Kasbari, Director of the Thabiri Project; Dr. Hossam Al-Shakhshir, Deputy Mayor of Nablus; Mr. Alaa Darwish, Coordinator of the Studies and Projects Unit and Head of the An-Najah Center for Training and Rehabilitation; Mr. Mohammad Malalha, Principal of Nablus Industrial Secondary School; and a number of representatives from civil society organizations, particularly women’s organizations. Also present were the scholarship recipients and around 100 students from Nablus Industrial Secondary School for Girls.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Massad welcomed the guests and emphasized the college’s commitment to building successful partnerships with community institutions as part of its mission and vision to serve both students and society. He highlighted the college’s continuous efforts to empower women and encourage them to enroll in vocational and technical fields, recognizing their vital role in community development.

Dr. Massad also praised the strong collaboration between the college and the Thabiri Project, which resulted in awarding 39 scholarships to female students, including those with disabilities, for two-year diploma programs and one-year professional diploma programs. These scholarships particularly target the newly developed specializations introduced under the project: Modern Carpentry Technology, Interior Design and Decoration, Graphic Design, Mobile Device Maintenance, and Smart Home Control and Surveillance Systems. He concluded by expressing appreciation to all staff involved in organizing the event and to the selection committee for their dedicated work.

In her address, Ms. Kasbari provided an overview of the Lutheran World Federation, established nearly 70 years ago, and its key contributions in Palestine—particularly in the health and technical and vocational education sectors. She also spoke about the Thabiri Project’s mission to empower and support young women, especially those with disabilities, by facilitating their access to technical and vocational education, as well as the scholarship opportunities and eligibility criteria.

Speaking on behalf of the scholarship recipients, student Nada Yameen expressed her gratitude to both the Thabiri Project and Hisham Hijjawi College, describing the scholarship as “a gateway to new horizons of creativity and self-expression,” especially in male-dominated fields. She encouraged other female students to pursue vocational education and apply for the next round of Thabiri scholarships, which will include new programs and specializations.