Update March

This month we share updates regarding our participants, the efforts of the Keihan Foundation and IOM, and CD4D staff news.

Number of assignments

For the month of January, 4 CD4D participants started their assignments of whom 1 went to Sierra Leone, 1 to Somalia, and 2 to Ethiopia. Similarly, 5 participants returned safely to the Netherlands of whom 3 went to Somalia, 1 to Ethiopia, and 1 to Sierra Leone.

Study Visit from Afghanistan to Leiden University: Mr. Zalmai

Mr. Saniullah Zalmai, the Head of Anatomy Department of Kabul Medical University, conducted a study visit at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) Department of Anatomy and Embryology for 2 months. The aim of the study visit was to receive training in the specimen preparation techniques, dissection and anatomical teaching. His study visit is an integrated part of a project which is implemented by Keihan Foundation in cooperation of LUMC, Kabul Medical University and IOM.

Success Story: Mustafa Ahmed

Mustafa Ahmed is a Dutch-Somali Captain residing in Europe’s largest port: Rotterdam. Having gained the knowledge, skills and experience in marine topics, he decided it was the right time to give back to his country of origin. Through CD4D he was able to train staff from the Ministry of Fishery and Agriculture as well as the Berbera Maritime Fishery Academy. The Berbera Port is the commercial capital of Somaliland where knowledge is high in demand. Mustafa taught his students about modern fishing techniques and navigation devices.

The “Research for Life” Project

The Keihan Foundation is in the middle of setting up an online education platform as part of the “Research for Life” project. The platform allows eligible post-doctoral researchers in the Netherlands to provide training to students and professionals of the Kabul Medical University in Afghanistan. The Post-doctoral researchers in the Netherlands will supervise PhD students and medical researchers in their research thesis so that after 3 years they can obtain a PhD degree which is the new policy of the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health.

“CD4D in Iraq” Event at the Embassy of Iraq in the Netherlands.

Due to great interest of the Embassy of Iraq in the Netherlands, IOM will organize a joint event held on 16 March in The Hague to present the CD4D project to potential candidates. Presentations will be held by, the Ambassador, a representative from Chamber of Commerce in Iraq, CD4D Project Coordinator, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the IOM NL Chief of Mission. The event serves the purpose to inform Dutch-Iraqi’s about the ways in which they can contribute to the development of Iraq through knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship.

Adri Zagers in Somalia

Adri Zagers, Head of the Migration & Development Unit at IOM The Netherlands and member of the CD4D team, is currently on a monitoring visit in Somalia. In the 5 weeks he will spend there, his goals related to CD4D are to visit host institutions and discuss the project with relevant stakeholders. While there, he will also visit SOSTA, a youth centre in Borama, which is supported by IOM through the “Work in Progess” project led by Oxfam Novib.

Kardelen leaving

Kardelen Akkus has been an intern within the CD4D team since June 2018. Her greatest accomplishment is co-coordinating the CD4D “Diaspora in Action” Conference in October 2018. She was mainly involved in communication activities but also assisted in administration and project development. The last day of her internship is on 28 February, however, this is not her last day at IOM The Netherlands. She will support the Migrant Training, Integration and Resettlement (MTRI) team starting on 1 March.