JICUF and ICU launched the Syrian Scholars Initiative (SSI) in 2017. Together with the Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) and later Pathways Japan, the Initiative supported a total of seven Syrian students at ICU with full scholarships, and this summer, the final scholar graduated. Please join us in congratulating Hazem Majeek on his graduation, and the completion of SSI.

SSI became the basis for a program for Ukrainian evacuees (Japan-Ukraine University Pathways) in 2022, and both programs were combined to form Japan Education Pathways (JEP) in 2024. JEP continues to support students impacted by war, including those from Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan among others. 

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Looking back on my four years at ICU, I realize that the university shaped me in ways I never expected. While studying Economics and Business gave me valuable academic knowledge, the experiences outside the classroom were equally impactful on who I am today.

The diversity of the ICU community was one of the aspects that I liked the most. Coming from Syria and having spent some years living in Türkiye prior to coming to Japan, I had a great opportunity to meet and talk to people of different cultures, points of view, and life experiences. Having founded the ICU BodyMake Club, the first weightlifting club at ICU where beginners can receive guidance and support to start their fitness journey, as well as actively participating in different events on the ICU campus, I understood how important it is to lead, work in a team, and create strong relationships.

Certainly, there were challenges. The process of studying a language completely different from my own, adapting to a new environment, and balancing between studies and extracurricular activities developed my skills of resilience and independence.

As I begin my career as an IT Implementation Consultant, specializing in SAP, I hope to honor the investment that JICUF and SSI made in me by continuing to learn, supporting others whenever I can, and creating opportunities for people who, like me, simply needed someone to believe in their potential.

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Congratulations, Hazem! We are so excited to see where life takes you next!