Princess Basma presides over Access English programme commencement

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Tuesday said that students should always believe in themselves and their capabilities in order to make positive changes on an individual and community level.

Princess Basma’s remarks were made during the graduation ceremony of 140 students from Ajloun, Tafileh, Karak and Kufrein, held at the Royal Cultural Centre in Amman to mark their completion of the third phase of the English Access Microscholarship Programme (Access).

The programme was funded by the US embassy in Amman and implemented by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD).

“This programme is really important for you because it has helped you improve your knowledge of the English language, get exposed to other cultures and learn to accept others, especially when you travelled to the United States…congratulations to each and every one of you,” Princess Basma told the students.

The princess also expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the teachers who supervised the students, and their parents who supported them in every way possible. 

Also during the ceremony, Princess Basma expressed her pride in the partnership between the US embassy in Jordan and JOHUD for implementing Access.

Also addressing the graduates was US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Karen Sasahara, who stressed that the programme constitutes “an important opportunity for students who are looking for new and better education opportunities”.

“Thank you all for your hard work and for being an inspiration to others in your own communties,” Sasahara said in her address to the students.

Initiated in 2015 and implemented by JOHUD, the programme targets top students aged 13 to 15 from underprivileged areas, aiming to raise their level of English language learning and techniques through 400 hours of training workshops over a two-year period.

The students and their teachers employ various activities that contribute to teamwork, problem-solving and getting to know other cultures, which eventually benefits society.

During the ceremony, nine graduates presented a dialogue in English, reviewing their experiences in the programme.

At the end of the ceremony, Princess Basma handed certificates of appreciation to teachers and graduates.