JEDDAH: With an aim to help people develop, grow and become self-sufficient, the British Council in Jeddah shed light yesterday on some of its projects and activities which are to take place over the next few years.
Amani Fairak, assistant director for creativity projects, said that the British Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental international organization. “It’s something that many people don’t know about the British Council. In Saudi Arabia, we want to build mutually beneficial relationships between the people of the two kingdoms through our work in art, education, English language and science,” she stressed.
During the last few years, the British Council has developed its activities by serving men and women at separate centers throughout the Kingdom. The council has introduced women development programs, art and literature, exhibitions and seminars, education and English language teaching, exams and much more.
Connecting Classrooms, Education UK Promotion, Vocational Education and Excellence in Higher Education in Saudi Arabia are projects run by the council to help meet the increasing demand of young people for access to educational opportunities.
“Connecting Classrooms is a project to twin and link Saudi schools with UK schools to help in developing their curriculum or exchange students. Education UK Promotion is to help students interested in studying in the UK. Vocational Education is a twinning project between the Jeddah College of Technology and City College Brighton and Hove,” said Fairak.
Excellence in Higher Education has resulted in working with the Ministry of Higher Education at different levels.
With regard to women development programs, the British Council translated the Springboard program into the Arabic language after its success when first introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2004 in cooperation with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“There are 11 qualified trainers in Saudi Arabia who are certified from the Springboard Consultancy to run the program in the Kingdom,” said Abir Alami, project manager for Women and Science. “The program aims to strengthen women’s personal and professional objectives. It is designed for any working or nonworking woman who is looking forward to achieving more in life.”
Springboard, which is the starting point of the program, was translated into Arabic to reach a large number of Saudi women. Once they have completed the first level of the program, they can take the next level — Springforward.
Keen on being helpful and providing services to Jeddah, the British Council has designed a nine-month human capital development programs for the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).
“The program started in June. It’s designed to develop English language skills for young Saudis at SAGIA,” said Simon Creasey, deputy teaching center manager. “We provide training for professionals in the industry, may it be banking or telecommunication. We have dealt with LG, Mobily and NCB. We are keen on being helpful and providing services to Jeddah.”
As part of its science program, the British Council aims to raise awareness of climate change in the world. There will be workshops and educational activities on this throughout Saudi Arabia in the near future.
In a more international, fast changing and uncertain world, the British Council believes that building long-lasting and trusted relationships is more important than ever. They do that, throughout the region, through a wide range of imaginative and creative ways concentrating on education, English language, creativity, intercultural dialogue and social development.
