How Amala educators are building pathways for students in Jordan
One Amala student just built a time-travel game from scratch.
This was made possible not only by his talent and drive, but also by Amala educators building community partnerships that open real careers and possibilities for students.
Amala educators working with students at our Amman site are going beyond their role in the classroom, building relationships with local organisations and industry partners to connect students with real-world experience and career pathways. Their initiative is opening new doors to futures students may not have even thought were possible. Here are three ways that is being done at Amala Jordan.
Maysalward: turning a classroom connection into a pathway opportunity
Ru'a, a GSD educator in Jordan, believes that education should actively open up unconventional pathways for students. She drew on one of her professional contacts and arranged for Maysalward, a game design company, to deliver an information session to 75 students. The response from students was immediate. Maysalward and Amala formalised an official partnership, which led to six Amala students joining a hands-on workshop at the Maysalward studio and learning more about the world of game design.
“My ultimate goal has always been to open new pathways for students, grounded in the belief that one opportunity can unlock countless doors.”
Ismael (second from right) and fellow students at Maysalward
One student in particular, Ismael, stood out for his commitment. Ru'a helped him open a conversation with Maysalward, which led to a two-month internship. By the end of it, Ismael had learnt to write a code using C# language, designed a game world, and built a complete time-travel game called EchoQuest from scratch. He dreams of eventually opening his own game studio.
“Other schools won’t teach you this but Amala connected me with it. I have always dreamed of being a code developer. I’m so happy that I am actively working on my dream right now through the opportunity Amala provided.”
GAME Jordan and the power of a personal connection
Amala students at GAME
GAME works with young people through street culture and sports to create social change - a natural fit with Amala's mission. GSD Educator Rahaf drew on her personal connection with GAME to build the partnership, opening up three distinct opportunities for students.
Through GAME, all Amala students now have access to a LinkedIn Learning path covering entrepreneurship and project-building, and all students took part in two dedicated sessions to build their professional profiles and strengthen their professional visibility. Students who want to go further can apply to GAME's incubator programme, where they can develop their Amala projects and Personal Interest Project (PIP) - an extended independent project- into real businesses with hands-on support.
Rahaf's connection also opened doors to the GAME Playmaker Camps, where three Amala students explored how sports connect to life skills and gained experience of teamwork, leadership and personal development outside the classroom.
Class clowns: the partnership with Red Noses
“This workshop made me feel inspired and amazed! I didn’t know I had the ability to learn such unique and new skills like this.”
From gaming to sports to a new area for many in the Amala community - clowning. Amala educator Waqar established a new partnership with Red Noses, an artistic organisation on a mission to spread hope and joy through laughter. Red Noses and Amala set about collaborating to bring theatre, circus and clowning to the Amala centre in Lweibdeh, Amman.
The 4-day mini circus workshop was designed to spread joy, and promote self-awareness and well-being through humour. It was led by two professional clowns teaching students magic tricks, juggling, acrobatics, and dancing. Students were also encouraged to perform what they learnt in front of an audience. On the final day, caregivers and the Amala community were invited to the performance.
“It was an unexpected addition to their set of skills and a joyous event for attendees! Alongside the lively and bubbly atmosphere, these workshops had a great impact on developing students’ communication skills and self-expression. It taught them patience and discipline and helped them collaborate with their peers.”
And the impact of the partnership with Red Noses went further than just the workshops. Students who participated are using their experience to evidence the Amala competencies and including it in their PIPs.
Ismael is building games. Students are launching business ideas through an incubator. Others are taking their bow in front of an audience. These three partnerships highlight what becomes possible for students when educators bring their networks, initiative, and drive to connect students with opportunities into their day to day work. For Amala students, who navigate bigger barriers than most in terms of accessing pathways, these partnerships are part of showing them that their ambitions are not just valid - but within reach.