AJYAL Grant Results: An initiative to support Arts Education – 1st Edition
AJYAL: An Initiative to Support Arts Education is a scholarship programme that supports those who wish to study a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Syria or a master's degree in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and all EU countries.
AJYAL Scholarships enable young Syrians to pursue their academic studies and access the education opportunities they need for their lives and careers in the arts. The scholarship programme supports those who wish to study a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Syria or a master's degree in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and all EU countries. Scholarships cover the costs of studying at universities and intermediate artistic institutes by offering either full or partial funding.
AJYAL Scholarships range from $1,200 to $4,000 and vary according to country, tuition fees and the cost of living in the place of study.
Results of Grant Recipients in the First Edition:
Adam AlShami
Adam AlShami is a first-year drama student at the High Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, studying in the Acting department. Adam began his education in theater studies at the school of dramatic arts where he participated in several student productions.
Description of studies
BA in Acting – High Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus, Syria
Afraa Batous
Afraa Batous graduated from the Department of Literature and Human Sciences at the university of Aleppo in 2009. Over the course of her studies, Afraa focused on theater; upon graduation she moved into the field of Cinema. She has since made several short and one feature-length documentary, entitled Jeled, released in 2015. Jeled has been screened at several festivals and won a number of awards
Afraa also worked on the production of “300 Miles”, directed by “Orwa Mokdad”, which has been screened internationally and won numerous awards.
Description of studies
MFA in Documentary Directing - Babelsberg Film University, Potsdam, Germany.
Sherin Abdelaziz
Sherin Abdelaziz is a second-year student in the Theater Studies department at the High Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus. Sherin is interested in academic research of literature and theatre, as well as writing scenarios and dramaturgy. So far, Sherin has written two scenarios for two different films.
Description of studies
Diploma in Theatre Studies - High Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus, Syria
Fares Khleif
After finishing his studies and graduating with a diploma in Theater Design from the High Institute of Theatrical Arts in Damascus, Fares Khleif began pursuing a career as a scenographer and technical manager, doing so in parallel with his work as a Graphic Designer. He also works as a trainer in interactive youth theatre.
Description of studies
Two-year MA in Directing specializing in Scenography, Lebanese university of Fine Arts, Beirut, Lebanon
Majd Suliman
Majd Suliman graduated from the university of Fine Arts in Aleppo in 2013 – with a degree in Painting. He has since produced several artistic works and participated in workshops on digital sketching and sculpture. Majd is currently pursuing further studies in Free Art at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany.
Description of studies
Five-year diploma, (equivalent to master’s degree), in Free Arts - Düsseldorf University, Germany.
Omar Jammol
A student of Classical Guitar performance, Omar Jammol has also majored in music composition and harmony. He has participated in several workshops led by international musicians, attending many events and contributing to numerous projects in Syria, Spain and Germany. He currently works as a guitar teacher and has led the Guitar Orchestra since 2005.
Description of studies
Master in Classical Guitar performance 2019-2020- Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
Salam Charaf Aldeen
Salam Charaf Aldeen is a third-year student at the university of Fine Arts in Aleppo, specializing in Interior Architecture. She has worked as a private instructor, teaching wide variety of academic and artistic disciplines.
Salam is also interested in scenography and has participated in several design and architecture workshops.
Description of studies
BA in Interior Architecture - University of Fine Arts, Aleppo, Syria.
Tala AlShami
Tala AlShami graduated in Architecture from the University of Aleppo in 2017. She has participated in a number of architecture workshops, both independent and affiliated with her university, and contributed to an exhibition at the Visual Art Centre. In 2017 and 2018, Tala worked as an architect and graphic designer for the Architecture firm NOAH. She is interested in educational research particularly work contributing to the improvement of architecture in Syria in the future. Tala is currently working on “Meter Sina’i Morabaa” an initiative which supports industrial heritage in Syria.
Description of studies
MA in Architecture and Urban Design - University of Kent in the UK, Canterbury, UK in collaboration with the Paris School of Arts and Culture, Paris, France.
Wael Salem
Wael Salem graduated from the High Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus with a degree in Theatre Studies. He is a writer, theatre director and cultural researcher who has written a number of scripts and led several training workshops in interactive theatre.
Description of studies
Master of Theater education specializing in Theatre training for non-specialists - Berlin University of Arts, Germany
And the names of selection committees are as follows:
Theater & Performing Arts: Eric Deniaud (France), Julia kassar (Lebanon), Mostafa Aboud (Syria)
Fine Arts & Architecture: Boutros Al-Maari (Syria), Mwafaq Katt (Syria), Rana Haddad (Lebanon)
Cinema: Abderrahmane Lahy (Mauritania), Hala Alabdalla (Syria), Mohamed Al-Daradji (Iraq)
Music: Andre Hajj (Lebanon), Athil Hamdan (Syria), Mustafa Said (Egypt)
The project AJYAL is implemented by Ettijahat in partnership with DOEN Foundation as part of the Grant scheme of the HOPES project funded by European Union's Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the “Madad Fund" and implemented by the German Academic Exchange (DAAD) together with the British Council, Campus France and Nuffic and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.