MENA Junior Fellowship 2024 Alumni

Yassine is a Moroccan researcher specializing in sociology of religious conversions and political communication and media. currently pursuing a doctoral degree in "Sociology of Religious conversions" at the University Institute for African and Mediterranean Studies and Ibero-American Studies (formerly known as the University Institute for Scientific Research), Mohammed V University in Rabat. I am also a founding member and researcher at the Researchers Center for Social Sciences Studies. I graduated from the Higher Institute of Information and Communication in Rabat. In addition to obtaining a BA in Sociology from Ibn Zohr University in Agadir.

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Suhaib Abdat is a human rights and international relations researcher holding a diploma in international relations and a bachelor's degree in computer science, along with participation in the International Fellowship Program for Human Rights. He served as the Country Director Team for Palestine within the NAMA Network for Human Rights Defenders regionally. He led significant efforts to promote human rights in the area. Additionally, he held a key research position in the field of human rights and international relations, significantly contributing analytical insights and important research in this domain at both local and international levels.

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David Okine is currently a member of the Social Science Laboratory Junior Fellowship Programme.He has the determination to contribute to academic discourse focusing on areas on the Africa continent. At the SSL Junior fellowship programme, he conducts research exploring areas in the Middle East and North African regions.

As a Mastercard Foundation scholar, he is currently pursuing an MPhil program in African Studies at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on examining second terms of Presidents in countries practicing Presidential systems in Africa. Originally from Ghana, he previously served as a Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Political Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he also completed his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a First Class from KNUST where he received the Deans Award and went on to further his education in Cambridge.

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A dedicated and accomplished scholar with a robust academic background in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Experienced in advancing Peace and Conflict Resolution, democracy, and youth and women's empowerment through policy research and analysis. Passionate about harnessing cutting-edge technologies for humanitarian efforts. A Fulbright and Erasmus scholar with an unwavering commitment to excellence. Recognized for outstanding achievements and contributions in academia and women's empowerment in the MENA region. A published author on gender equality and inequality issues.

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As a Fulbright alumna at Coastal Carolina University, Elhem served as an Arabic Teacher Assistant where she taught two levels of Arabic, beginners and intermediate. As part of the scholarship, she studied sociology, human rights and philosophy, gender studies and US history where she earned a GPA of 3.49/4.0. She holds a Bachelor degree in English Language, Culture and Civilization as well as a master's degree in Cultural Studies with a focus on international education.She bolstered her experience by assuming the sole role of EducationUSA adviser in Tunisia. She earned the EducationUSA prize for Innovative Programming during Covid-19. She participated recently in the Golden Gate Counselor Tour in California, USA (July, 2023). Shewon the US Department of State Extra Mile Award for Advising.

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Kamal Tasiu Abdullahi is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at Istanbul University, Turkey. His academic journey includes a Master of Arts in International Economics from Marmara University, Istanbul, and a BSc Honours in Economics from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

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Shakhboz Juraev is an independent researcher in political science. His bachelor’s degree in World politics was earned at the University of Economy and Diplomacy in 2020. He graduated Master of Management at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in 2022.

Shakhboz worked as an International Relations Officer at the Republican Center for Education under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan (2021-2022) and Senior Specialist at Kashkadarya Regional Office of the Agency for Promoting Foreign Language Learning (2022). He also interned as a Partnership Officer at Fatima Al-Fihri Open University (2023).

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Rachida works with the North African Policy Initiative to support strengthening participatory governance by building the research, writing, and advocacy capacity of youth in their elaboration. She is also the founder of WEEMPOWER in Global Affairs – a global organization that empowers youth in the international affairs industry by fostering international understanding, accelerating connections, improving information sharing, and increasing opportunities.  Before joining the 2024 Steering Committee for the Network’s Inclusivity Community of Practice, Rachida advised the growth and implementation of USAID’s youth digital strategy. She joined forces with CIVICUS to support grassroots organizations to receive funding and mentorship, as a Solidarity Fund Advisory Member.
 

An Arabic and Farsi speaker, Mahdi Ghuloom is a researcher leading on the Education and Healthcare sectors at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB). He is also pursuing a master’s degree (MSt) in Practical Ethics (Part-time) at the University of Oxford’s St Cross College, where he is both course representative and student careers representative. Prior to this, Mahdi has studied at and obtained the following degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics from the University of Essex, where he was an effective student leader sitting on various student and university committees; a degree which was followed by a Master of Science in Policy Analytics from the University of Exeter, where he was awarded a merit-based scholarship from the Exeter Q-Step Centre. He has previously worked as a researcher in the Bahraini Prime Minister’s Office, and as a security analyst at Le Beck International.

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Taha Laroussi is a researcher based in Morocco. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology with excellence, and he researched the impact of cultural globalization through Instagram on Youth cultures in North Morocco and how the effect extends to the local cultures, as seen in spoken language, international celebrations, and local holidays as long as the daily wear versus local and international fashion industry. Employing a Qualitative approach and critical theory framework, Taha included that cultural globalization and social media dynamics create a complex hybrid culture of local and global features seen in Youth Cultures.

Besides academia, Taha has been consulting for international and regional organizations for the past three years both as a research consultant and/or assistant, gaining firsthand experience in researching various topics related to Morocco, the Mena region, and globally. He researched the general situation of Key populations in Morocco and their recommendations, the funding landscape in the SWANA region, human rights violations and abuses on gender and sexual minorities, and others.

Hmad Benaissa stands as a dedicated and accomplished researcher with a strong academic background, symbolizing a commitment to lifelong learning. He is pursuing a PhD at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, specializing in Languages, Letters, and Arts within the Center for Doctoral Studies (CED). He demonstrates a multidisciplinary approach to his academic journey. Benaissa's pursuit of knowledge extends beyond traditional academic paths, as demonstrated by his participation in various training programs and courses. In 2023, he engaged in a Train to Teach program at Mohamed First University, focusing on Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) methodologies. He reveals his adaptability to contemporary educational approaches. His expertise in citizenship education was further enhanced through a Training of Trainers (TOT) program organized by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA) with USAID support.

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