Islamabad
The first graduation ceremony for the year 2023 was held at the Urban Cohesion Hub in Rawalpindi, where 132 Afghan and Pakistani students received certificates on completion of different courses including computers, English language, beautician training, tailoring and culinary arts.
With the participation of Italy, the United States of American and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, graduates expressed their gratitude for the support to the center as well as their teachers for providing illuminating knowledge for a brighter future.
Participants also received a livelihoods kit to jumpstart their careers, including sewing machines for tailors and stove tops and a set of pots and utensils for budding chefs.
The chief guest, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer, Ms. Nikola Errington, emphasized that dreams can be achieved with the right direction and path. She added that the livelihood trainings conducted at the Urban Cohesion Hub with the generous support of Italy, promote social cohesion by bringing refugees together with their host communities in Pakistan.
The guest of honour, Mr. Arif Oryakhail, representing the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), underscored that the hard work of graduates from the hub courses will contribute for a better future for themselves as well as their communities. He added that teachers’ motivation toward their students throughout the course has also encouraged learners to reach their potential.
On this Graduation Ceremony Day, Co-founder and CEO Inspire Pakistan Mr. Qaiser Siddiqui, mentioned the patrons encouraged graduates to find and boldly pursue their passions constantly.
He further added that not only education but learning and knowledge brings wisdom. He said that to provide solid foundation to kids at joyful space, there is hard work and efforts of the teachers behind these kids good upbringing.
In closing, Ms. Zahra Khalid, Project Manager paid her gratitude to the donor UNHCR for making such strides day-in and day-out endeavor’s and efforts. She further thanked CEO Inspire Pakistan and entire team for enabling students to become competitive and productive.
Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of donor support to run such programmes, and thanked Italian Agency for Cooperation Development, the students, the people and the government of Pakistan for their support, hospitality and protection provided to the Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Inspire Pakistan with the support of UNHCR, established the Urban Cohesion Hub at Rawalpindi where it provides need-based services to Afghan refugees and host communities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in health, education, vocational skills, legal support, protection and recreational activities for peaceful co-existence and social cohesion.
Inspire Pakistan and UNHCR have been working together to serve refugees and host communities by empowering their youth through education in protecting their right to education and also through provision of protection services.
