“Higher education is of paramount importance for economic and social development.” World Bank 1994
Professional Connection 
“The program has enabled me to forge meaningful connections with UK and Syrian academics.”
Dr Mohammed Assaf
Continued Academic Development & Contribution
“I believe this program has provided a great benefit to many Syrian researchers who will have a future impact in Syria.”
Dr Ammar Alsamar
Supporting Discipline Clusters & Interdisciplinarity
“I plan to develop my skills to work on interdisciplinary research in future … I would like to thank Cara and all participating academics for this engaging and accessible course.”
Dr Abdullah Elewi
Enhanced Academic Qualifications
“I successfully defended my PhD thesis … This journey was a remarkable learning opportunity … I would like to thank Cara for being a great support.”
Dr Nada Seddiq
Enhanced Visibility
“I had a successful experience today in participating in the 5th Recycling & Reuse Conference … I also thank Cara for its unlimited support for Syrian academics.”
Dr Abdulkader Rashwani
Research Collaboration
Facilitating & Funding
“I sensed the amount of friendship and concern that Cara offered to all Syrian academics in exile … Everything you have already provided pushes us to persevere in the face of adversity.”
Dr Manaf Aldakhil
Working in Solidarity
“The Syria Programme has been a fantastic way for UK academics to support academics affected by the Syrian conflict – sharing expertise, resources, knowledge and networks – in close collaborations that both parties have benefited from.”
Prof Aysha Divan, University of Leeds
Longer-Term Partnerships
“We aim to deepen our Syria Programme enquiry, and move to a research collaboration that is based on partnership.”
Dr Dolf te Lintelo, IDS
- Enhanced writing skills facilitating publication in respected peer reviewed journals and development of international academic publication portfolios and enhanced visibility.
- Enhanced PhD outcomes.
- Enhanced language skills opening up access to extant literature and cutting-edge discipline developments and supporting presentation skills for dissemination purposes.
- Facilitating professional networking and collaboration.
Academic Writing Skills Funding Proposals & Publications
“Cara has always been supportive, especially in terms of publishing scientific research.”
Dr Ahmad Moazen
- Enhanced academic writing skills.
- Consolidated professional connections through concerted in-person working periods.
- Cross-fertilisation between SP supported study teams.
- Research papers for publication.
- 3rd party funding proposals.
- Enhanced connections between Syrian academics, as well as research mentors and workshop facilitators.
Evidencing & Supporting Teaching Skills: FHEA
“I have gotten the HEA fellowship. I would like to thank Cara very much for your support. I believe it will help me a lot with my career.”
Dr Ahmed Halil, FHEA
- Evidence of prior teaching experience and practice.
- Enhanced employment and promotion opportunities.
- Enhanced teaching practice and understanding of modern methods for immediate application in the classroom.
Developing the Developers
“[It] gave me a real opportunity to express my views … touching on problems and listening to different opinions … on the issues raised.”
Dr Mussaab Alshbib
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
“Because of my EAP tutor’s encouragement … I published with world rankings … and increased my academic success.”
Dr Nidal Alajaj
Brokering Third-Party Opportunities
“A great connection made by the Cara Syria Programme, which opened a new opportunity.”
Dr Shaher Abdullateef
- Paid research opportunities in 3rd party-led research.
- SP research opportunities led by Cara partner universities.
- SP as a conduit for 3rd parties looking for Syrian academics to support their work.
Gender Equity
“Cara made sure that we female academics benefited equally from the Syria Program, supporting us to attend workshops with our children, promoting the importance of gender equality and funding research on the role of women in society.”
Dr Hanadi Omaish
Institutional Partnerships
“We are also deeply committed … to building relationships based on mutual respect, … learning, and … support – partnerships designed to advance both high quality research and education, justice and equality, in global higher education.”
Prof Roseneil, VC University of Sussex
Research Incubation Visits
“This visiting fellowship opportunity has been a highly valuable experience for me both professionally and academically.”
Mohammad Wazzan
- Professional connections: new, as well as many ongoing across SP research studies.
- Partnering host colleagues in collaborative research.
- Direct experience of alternative HE institution.
- Enhanced academic skills through training, observation and shadowing.
- Access to 3rd-party funding through host institution.
- Inclusion in new host 3rd-party funding applications.
- Enhanced research skills.
- Additional publications and visibility.
- HE institutional affiliation, opening up access to new funding opportunities where affiliation is required.
Institutional Affiliation
“Becoming a USW Cara Fellow marked significant progress for me, as I am now affiliated with the University. This has removed what can often be a difficult barrier for academics living in exile.”
Sultan Jalabi
Workshops
“In person workshops are invaluable and simply cannot be compared to online meetings.”
Dr Dolf te Lintelo, IDS