AJYAL: A Programme to Support Arts Education | The Seventh Edition

Academic Year |2025-2026

Aya Mufid al-Shaer | Fourth Year, Higher Institute of Music, Department of Classical Singing (Opera), Damascus, Syria

A fourth-year student in the Classical Singing (Opera) Department of the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus, Aya has participated in musical performances and plays, including opera pieces arranged by Mohamad Osman, as well as joint performances with acting students. She has attended workshops in performance and singing and is particularly passionate about opera singing that blends vocal and theatrical expression. She strives to further develop this art form locally.

Alissa al-Halabi | Fourth Year, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Theatre Studies, Damascus, Syria - Shared Scholarship

A fourth-year student in the Theatre Studies Department of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, Alissa grew up in an artistic environment close to theatre and cinema. She studied music at Solhi Alwadi Institute, specialising in violin, until the ninth grade. She has written children's stories in a conversational style and presented a radio series for Damascus Radio in 2017. Alissa has worked as a voice actor, most notably in the programme Theatre as It Was Told directed by Thara Debsi. She is also an active writer and editor for independent media platforms, publishing cultural articles and criticism. She views music as a supporting element in her stage writing experience.

Alissar Badawi | Third Year, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Dance Department, Damascus, Syria

A dancer and stage performer, Alissar has participated in performances in Damascus, including Taj al-Arous, Nargis and Al-Bab, in addition to international performances in collaboration with embassies and international trainers. She has attended training workshops with experts from Russia, Japan, Argentina and the UK, and has experience in academic projects within the dance department, as well as creative activities in design and dance performance.

Ahmad Muhammad Hammoudi | First Year, Master's in Building Information Modelling and Management (BIMM), Architecture Department, Syrian Virtual University, Damascus, Syria

An architect who graduated from Tishreen University, Ahmad has developed his skills independently despite life and educational challenges. He aims to specialise in Building Information Modelling (BIM) to create a positive impact on infrastructure projects in Syria. Ahmad believes in the importance of architecture in improving quality of life.

Bashar Elias al-Sheikh | Fourth Year, Higher Institute of Cinematic Arts, Department of Film Directing, Damascus, Syria

A visual artist working in flower arrangement and wedding planning, Bashar has developed visual and organisational skills that intersect with scenography and cinema. He has worked as an intern on cinematic projects and aspires to expand his experience in the visual and artistic fields.

Giwan Shabu | Second Year, Master's at Damascus University, Department of Sculpture, Damascus, Syria

A Syrian artist and sculptor working since 2012 at the intersection of art and psychosocial support, Giwan has delivered workshops for children, youths and adults focusing on artistic expression as a means of healing. He is currently studying sustainable materials in architectural design and has conducted research on using reeds in ecological architecture. He has participated in local exhibitions and won awards in sculpture using recycled materials. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sculpture from Damascus University and is pursuing graduate studies.

Heidi Muhib Jammoul | Fourth Year, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Acting Department, Damascus, Syria

Heidi is an actress who has participated in various drama workshops that have contributed to her development, including the workshop “Playing Through Theatre” led by Firas Hatem, and workshops at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts under the supervision of Hani al-Atrash, Bashar Abo Assi, and Marwa al-Atrash. She volunteered with Aamal Organisation, working with children with autism and hearing impairments, which broadened her understanding of the role of art in supporting vulnerable groups.

Hana Lutfi al-Saksak | First Year, Master's in Urban Planning, Latakia University, Department of Architecture, Latakia, Syria

An architect graduate from Latakia University, Hana is passionate about sustainable urban design and the cultural identity of cities. She is active on social media, where she shares specialised architectural content, and strives to apply her academic and digital expertise to improve Syria's built environment.

Layal Ghassan Maklad | Fifth Year, Higher Institute of Music, Department of Classical Singing (Opera), Damascus, Syria

An opera singer and a fifth-year student at the Higher Institute of Music, Layal has participated in specialised workshops both locally and internationally and has performed with choirs, orchestras and opera ensembles. She works as an opera singing teacher and has been involved in arts and training initiatives for children and people with special needs.

Luna al-Rashed | Third Year, Higher Institute of Cinematic Arts, Department of Film Directing, Damascus, Syria

A journalist writing in the cultural and service fields, with a focus on the intersection of art and politics, Luna has written works including “Graffiti and Caricature: When Art Becomes a Revolutionary Act.” She has previously worked as an assistant director and directed a documentary film titled Ornina. She volunteered with the Salam Team and is pursuing her third-year studies at the Higher Institute of Cinematic Arts.

Lynn Muhammad al-Youssef | Fourth Year, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Theatre Studies, Damascus, Syria

A student in the Theatre Studies Department of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts and in the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University, Lynn has participated in independent theatrical and cinematic projects and has written texts and conducted research on themes of identity and memory. She is active in student and feminist movements and has experience teaching French through theatre.

Muhammad Firas Dakak | Third Year, Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Department of Theatre Studies, Damascus, Syria

An actor born in Damascus in 2002, Muhammad attends the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, having completed his second year with honours and ranked first in his class. He has participated in various performance projects and roles, including Abu Yasser and Dr. Tsvetkov, in addition to theatre performances such as The Suicide and Exile. He has experience in dubbing and television, including the series Habib. He has won awards in art competitions across Syria.

Omran Wassim al-Khatib | Third Year, Manara University, Department of Theatre Studies, Latakia, Syria

An actor who began his experience in theatre and television since childhood, Omran has participated in works with several Syrian directors. He is pursuing his studies in the Acting Department at Manara University and has participated in specialised workshops in performance, dubbing and clowning. He has experience training children in theatre and aspires to further the academic development of his skills.

Petra Yazigi | Fifth Year, Higher Institute of Music, Piano, Harp and Organ Department, Damascus, Syria

A student at the Higher Institute of Music specialising in the harp, Petra has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Arab Music Ensemble, excelling in chamber music concerts and performances by exceptional students. She has received training with international musicians and is working on building her career as a professional musician.

Wassim Bassam Salloum | Fourth Year, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting, Damascus, Syria  - Shared Scholarship

A visual artist and photographer, Wassim is a fourth-year student in the Department of Oil Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus. He has participated in exhibitions and art workshops and teaches drawing to children. He has designed sets for television series and is interested in documenting Syrian daily life through painting and photography, in addition to his experience in installation art.

Zayn al-Abidin Hasan Wannous | Third Year, Damascus University, Department of Oil Painting, Damascus, Syria

A third-year student in the Department of Oil Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus University, Zayn’s works blend realism, anime and surrealism, through which he aims to build a distinct artistic identity. He sees painting as his primary means of expression and aspires to participate in exhibitions and activities that allow him to reach a wider audience.

Jury Committee

Bassem Dahdouh (Syria), Fouad Alhassan (Syria), Maruan Abou Jahjah (Syria), Mayssoun Ali (Syria), Noura Murad (Syria).

The Jury Statement

The jury has concluded its evaluation of the seventh edition of the AJYAL Programme amid a diverse artistic landscape, one that reflects the lived realities of young artists,  who have embodied in their works the deep impact of the surrounding political and
social context. The submitted projects highlighted central themes = related to war and its consequences, reconstruction processes, and a continuous pursuit of self-expression, as well as experiences of displacement, migration and economic challenges.
Artistic approaches displayed a wide range spanning theatre, music, and visual arts, with an increasing integration of new technologies. A noticeable trend leaned toward community-oriented projects, reflecting a growing desire among applicants to establish independent artistic collectives away from official institutions. There is also a strong interest in developing their academic and educational options.
The jury recognized the challenges artists face under the current circumstances, which have affected the diversity of their artistic output and opportunities for development. Nevertheless, applicants showed remarkable passion and commitment, with determination to invest in learning opportunities and to build collaborative networks. They have demonstrated a deeper awareness of the importance of developing their artistic and academic skills compared to previous editions. There was also a notable mutual interest between theatre and cinema, reflecting a broad artistic curiosity that extends across disciplines. Although the submissions were numerous and diverse, the jury worked with precision and impartiality to evaluate the projects, carefully discerning creative proposals from others. This made the selection process particularly challenging. The jury hopes that the obstacles faced by some applicants will not hinder their pursuit of artistic growth and development.
The jury extends its sincere congratulations to the winners of this edition and commends their efforts in presenting proposals that demonstrate a deep sensitivity to the political and social contexts. They have used art as a tool for critical thinking and for both individual and collective expression. The selected projects presented thoughtful and coherent approaches across concept, methodology, and implementation.
For those who were not selected this edition, the jury emphasizes that the lack of support at a given moment does not diminish their value, as most applications carried promising artistic and intellectual potential. The jury underscores the importance of perseverance, as continuity is the most reliable path toward artistic maturity and distinction within the cultural and artistic landscape.
Finally, after consulting with Ettijahat’s management and in response to the particular challenges faced by art students in Syria, the number of scholarship recipients has been doubled to help remove obstacles for a generation that believes deeply in the arts. The jury wishes all selected applicants the best of success.