Guiding, Inspiring, and Transforming Saudi Youth

to Become Global Citizens

QANTARA takes a bold approach, presenting a unique and practical solution to bridging the gap between the competencies of job seekers and the requirements of the Saudi job market, and accomplishing this within a relatively short period of time.

By being conducted in a disciplined and closely supervised residential environment at a distinguished academic institution such as The University of Kuala Lumpur, in a country that is totally foreign to the participants, this experiential training approach accelerates the process of learning. Participants are exposed to completely different ways of thinking, living, and working, all the while in a safe environment.

To employers, QANTARA will provide, at a nominal cost, a reliable source of Saudi employees who are far better prepared to deal with the varied challenges presented by the typical workplace. To Saudi youth, the program will offer well-paid jobs with promising career tracks, and a once in a life time scholarship opportunity that will reshape their minds and bring out the best in their character. As for the country, the program will produce young Saudis equipped with the right skills, relevant knowledge, appropriate demeanor and attitudes, who will make a tremendous difference in their communities, in their businesses, and, indeed, in the whole world. In order to achieve this objective, QANTARA plans to train youths, focusing on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for participation in today’s global workplace.

In order to produce the desired dramatic change in knowledge, skills and attitude in a short period of time, QANTARA participants are immersed in a positive and highly disciplined residential and educational setting. They share accommodation with non-Arabic speaking students on the University campus, serve as volunteers, and emerge, eyes open, to the vast opportunities and challenges facing them and the world we all live in.

The program is extremely intensive and offers an average of 10 contact hours of training (classroom and supervised extra-curricular) per day for a period of 24 months. Participants are allowed only one day off per week, from morning until late evening. Even for this day “hors de programme”, every attempt is made to provide appropriate guidance. All factors of the program have been carefully considered, from program design to curriculum content and from faculty to accommodations. The formal curriculum is heavily supplemented by extra-curricular exposure to sports, cultural and artistic experiences, including both indoor & outdoor activities. Students will be closely and personally monitored, supervised, assisted, coached, and guided by skilled and caring lecturers as well as facilitators or mentors.

The Qantara participants are offered a unique program of dynamic international and inter-ethnic exchange. Interspersed in the very full schedule of the program, there is sufficient time to interact with other students so as to encourage the practice of using English language skills with non-Arabic speaking students. The program places a great deal of importance on multicultural and multinational experiences, where QANTARA participants are encouraged, at every opportunity, to seek out new experiences and to cultivate a sense of understanding of the different cultures and various ethnic backgrounds that share the campus, and the hostel.