Guiding, Inspiring, and Transforming Saudi Youth
to Become Global Citizens

THE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK

The program’s curriculum is customized by taking into consideration its educational objectives. Based on careful analysis of the needs, all elements and factors that are crucial in the critical globalization process of the students have been taken into consideration. Figure1.0, below, outlines the framework that constitutes the basis for the curriculum. The order of the factors is not significant, which is indicated by their arrangement in a circle. The ‘+’ symbol indicates that the five factors – skills, critical thinking dispositions, learning strategies, background knowledge and embodied cultural capital – interact with one another and are all important to and included in the overall process of creating students with a critical global identity.

 Figure 1.0 – The Theoretical Framework of the Critical, Global Identity

The program will provide an integrative identity formulation experience where one retains flexibility and openness to new experiences. Hence, character building, through academic and non-academic activities, is central to the program, which helps students to build and strengthen the appropriate skills, knowledge and dispositions acquired and learned, thereby enabling them to join the workplace directly upon finishing the program and returning to Saudi Arabia.

1. Core Skills: - The curriculum takes into account the pedagogical training for subjects like English and Communications, Computing, Mathematics, Business and Management. Students will learn skills that will cater to students’ needs in the future vocation.

2. Critical Thinking Disposition: - This component instils in students a sense of identity and autonomy in one’s thinking. For instance, students not only need to have an analytical disposition but they need to understand why one needs to be analytical, especially in relation to the demands of their future vocation. The significance of the individual possessing the disposition towards being critical of his world, that is, a genuine, emancipatory inclination to evaluate things outside of the self, is in line with nurturing global individuals espoused by Qantara.

3. Background Knowledge: - The knowledge component is most basic aspect of learning and the program will help develop informed students who are able to size up the world in its different manifestations, academically and non-academically. Students’ prior knowledge will be tapped in discussions and activities in subjects like oral presentation skills course or in the critical thinking module. The knowledge they gain from interacting with others will not just be of respecting others’ views, values, and feelings, but, most importantly, of developing a deeper knowledge and understanding of themselves as intellectual and resourceful human beings. They will develop an enquiring mind, with a thirst for knowledge and an enthusiasm towards a healthy, pro-active outlook on life.

4. Embodied Cultural Capital: - This element is also embedded in the co-curriculum activities and projects, as well as in the outdoor activities. This element encompasses. knowledge, skills, dispositions, linguistic practices, and representational resources. It, in a way, encourages the students to seek out new experiences and cultivate a sense of understanding and appreciation of different and various cultures and norms. For instance, they will have a better understanding of the true ethics of Islam and their application in the modern world.

5. Learning Strategies: - They refer to methods that students use to learn or study. They range from techniques for improved memory to better studying, note-taking techniques or test-taking strategies. As the students must attain a measurable degree of English language proficiency, the English curriculum will also develop them into independent, self-directed learners who can identify the strategies that make them more effective language learners. The students will be given reading and writing tasks, and group projects that will enhance their competence in using the available resources, like the internet, for research. Taking notes, for example, develops a sense of listening, allowing the student to recognize main ideas and understand the organization of the material. This keeps the learner’s attention focused on the lecture, thereby increasing discipline, concentration, retention and understanding. Taking notes in class makes the learner an active participant in the learning process rather than a passive listener or daydreamer. Through synthesizing, paraphrasing and summarizing points learned in class and from books, the learner will be involved in the actual learning process by making the material his own. This activity will definitely instil a sense of independence, criticality and creativity amongst Qantara participants.

Qantara is a Profitable Investment

Our Philosophy

We believe that:	And we nurture it with:
a) The basis for learning is the generation, develop- ment, and appreciation of ideas. A lively, inquiring mind is essential for effective learning.	Curriculum that requires participants to inquire, research and explore new ideas. Teaching participants how to analyze problems from a variety of different perspectives. Encouraging participants to make connections and establish the relation- ships between ideas. Inviting participants to adapt to new ideas, technologies and situations. Encouraging participants to be critical, creative and reflective.
b) Knowledge, skills, feelings & attitudes are at the heart of learning. Learning is a life-long pro- cess. Broad-based and balanced learning opportunities and experiences educate the whole person.	Guiding participants in identifying key learning objectives in order to ensure their continuity and progression Encouraging participants to enjoy opportunities beyond the normal classroom environment to enrich and extend themselves.
c) Through positive values, self-esteem and understand ding come respect and appreciation of the value of our diverse community. A global perspective will develop an understanding of the major world issues.	Introducing participants to actively take part in a range of social and cultural activities. Giving consideration to the impact made on our lives by technology. Encouraging participants to look beyond the boundaries of their own situations.

Target Population and Promised Careers

QANTARA aims to recruit young secondary school graduates of the natural science section who are seeking employment in entry-level IT related positions in the trade, industrial, and service companies which utilizes IT, suppliers of IT equipment and systems, educational and training institutions and other relevant industries. The list of future careers are definitely endless: software engineer, network engineer, IT manager, network administrators, telecommunications engineer, systems analyst, information analyst, technology analyst, application developer, application programmer, analyst programmer, multimedia programmer, web programmer, system integrator, information system executive, it executive, internet and intranet executive, technical executive, system administrator and database administrator.

To increase the likelihood that a participant will complete the program successfully, candidates must pay a deposit, pass all administered interviews, medical exams, and admission tests which include both English and basic Mathematics. Candidates, who do not fulfill the above criteria, will be required to complete additional tests and, subject to certain conditions, will be given the opportunity to participate in the QANTARA Transitional Course (QTC) in Malaysia for a subsidized fee. Students admitted to (QTC) must pass Module 1 and the first semester of Module 2 of the program.

During this phase, they will undergo intensive training that focuses on improving their area(s) of weakness, and awakens their senses to successfully meet and survive the expectations and challenges of the entire Program as well as in terms of university learning. Upon completion of the QTC, the candidates must retake the admission tests before being accepted as a Diploma student at UniKL. During (QTC), the Students will get the chance to know themselves and each other through intensive and effective teamwork or group activities. The 4 week ‘survival’ camp will orientate the Students’ mind, body and soul in order to get to grips with the demanding nature of the Program and their stay in Malaysia. Students will attend a whole semester of English language training to gain a level of competence that will enable them to follow the remaining modules successfully. (QTC) acts as a filtration stage in which failures will be eliminated from the Program based on their performance reports and results.

QANTARA’s Assessment

The Students’ performance throughout the program will be assessed and evaluated through academic assessments and monthly progress reports which will be handled by their respective mentors on an on-going basis. Participants will be assessed using a variety of tools including written tests, personal profiling, oral assessment, and observation during each course and activity. Achievement will be measured towards the stated educational and behavioral outcomes. A year following graduation and employment, a formal survey of the employers will be conducted by SHARAKA. This survey will provide feedback about QANTARA’s educational output and so provide information to further enhance the quality of the program.

Students must write a reflective report in English, for each training week, describing invaluable experiences and lessons learned during their training. The reports must be logged or kept in a journal carefully. They must then present their own job reports in a creative and interesting manner, in the final week of the program. Their progress from Day One of the program till the very last will also be tabled and results of their pre-tests will be compared with the post-tests given during Semester 5. This exercise will then show significant changes in students’ performance in relation to the programme.

QANTARA’s Scholarships

To qualify for the Scholarship, a candidate must pay a deposit of SR32,400 to ensure his commitment to the program and ability to cover all expenses that are not part of the scholarship. The deposit is fully refunded in the form of a monthly allowance of SR1,350 over a period of 24 months in Malaysia. The National Charity Fund and other local banks have agreed to help eligible needy candidates pay the required deposit. The two main types of scholarships are:

• Type One For applicants who qualify for the Human Resources Development Fund’ support: Applicants must commit to serve the sponsoring company for a minimum of 2 years after graduation

• Type Two For applicants who do not qualify for the HRD Fund’s support: Participants must pay 75% of the cost of the program, and are exempted from working with the sponsoring company. The remaining 25% is payable on installments to Sharaka upon successful completion of the program.

Teaching Methods

Modern teaching methods will be used for QANTARA. Instructors will facilitate participants’ learning through interactive teaching, case studies, workshops, field trips to companies and community centers, pair and group work and a variety of audio-visual and telecommunication tools. QANTARA students will be required to participate in community service to promote their sense of responsibility toward their fellow human beings. They will be actively involved in the learning process through team projects, class discussions, and exposure to a wide range of situations. SHARAKA Company reserves the right to request students to repeat any phase of the program or to withdraw from the course if, in its opinion, a participant is having difficulties in coping.

QANTARA Participants Wellbeing

Upon arrival, students will be assigned to a mentor. The mentor is the students’ first point of contact. Each mentor has the responsibility for 10 students. The mentors will assume the role of ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ and will always provide students with the needed help, counsel, support and guidance at any point and whenever necessary, without making students become overly dependent on the mentor themselves .

Participants are, also, given a thorough orientation to their place of study, accommodation, how to find their way around, and are introduced to regulations and procedures for:

1. 1. How to prioritize health and safety during their stay.

2. 2. Where and how to seek medical attention.

3. 3. How to do banking and acquire communication technology.

4. 4. Where and to whom to go for grievances

QANTARA arranges for all of the following for the entire duration of 24 months:

1. 1. Screening, profiling, interviewing, and testing expenses

2. 2. Admission, registration, and visa fees

3. 3. A return air ticket to Malaysia inclusive of domestic travel

4. 4. Tuition fees (a minimum of 50 contact hours per training week)

5. 5. Entrance, transportation and all other excursion fees

6. 6. All fees for approved extra-curricular activities

7. 7. Student medical insurance

8. 8. On-going participant assessment, progress reports, certification, and job placement

9. 9. a monthly allowance of 1,350 to cover all living expenses and any others that are not covered by the scholarship

STUDENTS’ MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY

The medical insurance policy is provided by Takaful Insurance, and will cover both outpatient and inpatient cases as follow.

STUDENTS’ DAILY ROUTINE

Mondays to Thursdays

 Fridays

 Saturdays 

NOTE:

Sundays

Students are free to attend to their own personal chores on Sundays. Group Projects will be assigned to them. A group leader will be appointed each month (on a rotational basis) to take charge of his group with the assistance of the group’s mentor.

Physical Activities

Students will be exposed to physical activities every evening from 5:30 – 7:00 pm under close supervision.

Prep Time

Every night from 8:00 – 8:30pm, students will be given writing exercises. These exercises will be marked.

From 8:30 – 10:00 pm everyday, they will complete their homework and do reading assignments. Students are encouraged to borrow books from the university library or public library in Kuala Lumpur. A book must be read each week with a synopsis written to improve students’ written English. They are also encouraged to form groups and discuss current events actively. All these activities will be under supervision by their respective mentors/facilitators.

In addition, students will also be involved in mind-enhancing activities like chess, sudoku as well as other mind games, together with other UniKL students in the student societies available. They will also listen to talks or seminars given by invited speakers.

QANTARA’s Desired Educational Outcome

Participants must participate fully in all modules of the program in order to achieve the desired transformation. This means committed involvement in both curricular and extra-curricular activities. After months of intensive instruction, close supervision, and personalized coaching, graduates are expected to have attained a Diploma in IT, in addition to the following educational aims:

1. 1. Improved communication skills with a reasonable ability to use the English language in both business and social settings

2. 2. Be versed in the effective use of computer software such as Microsoft Office and operating systems such as Microsoft Windows

3. 3. Understand the applications of the Internet as an information portal, and become familiar with the use of search engines and online social software such as email, blogs and wikis

4. 4. Realize the work environment, and business ethics, as well as recognize current events encompassing global and national issues

5. 5. Be able to perform basic accounting and business mathematics

6. 6. Solve problems and apply the basic skills of thinking questioningly, creatively, and logically

7. 7. Respect others - their views, values, traditions, needs, and feelings; develop a more positive mindset and attitude in the spirit of civic responsibility, fairness, integrity, and sensitivity towards others; and become committed to justice and human well-being

8. 8. Embrace new good habits, a healthy lifestyle, and effective resource management

9. 9. Have a better understanding of the true ethics of Islam and their application to modern life

10. 10. Appreciate art and music across a variety of cultures

11. 11. Develop a greater level of self-confidence, discipline, and self-esteem

12. 12. Possess the ability to meet challenges in demanding and changing situations

13. 13. Be able to remain well-balanced, stable and broad-minded, capable of exercising mental flexibility, expanding personal limits and discouraging the tendency towards self-imposed barriers

14. 14. Develop an enquiring mind that always seeks knowledge and understand how to approach learning a new skill or capability