الجامعـــة الوطنيـــة الخاصـــة

Al-Wataniya Private University — Hama
April 20–21, 2026

Al-Wataniya Private University hosted the Down Syndrome Youth Handicraft Exhibition, organized by the Child Care Association of Homs Governorate, held at the university’s Central Library over Monday and Tuesday, April 20–21, 2026. The exhibition was supervised by Ms. Sahar Al-Akhras — Founder of the Down Centers for Education and Vocational Training — and featured active participation from the Down Centers’ management team (Dr. Najwa Abbarah, Mr. Tawfiq Tilimat), alongside several supervisors overseeing the vocational works of youth and young women with Down Syndrome.

Diverse, eye-catching vocational works

The exhibition opening witnessed official attendance by Prof. Dr. ‘Ahd Khuzam, President of Al-Wataniya Private University; Mr. Samir Al-Barazi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Wataniya Private Company for Sciences and Development; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Al-‘Amadi, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Hazem Melli, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Hayan Hamdan, Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Student Affairs.

The exhibition showcased remarkable diversity in handicrafts and vocational works created by participants — reflecting the significant efforts undertaken by the Association’s administration and staff to develop their skills and refine their talents.

The exhibition activities were launched through joint efforts by Al-Wataniya Private University and the Child Care Association, reaffirming the importance of integrating youth and young women with Down Syndrome into society and providing them with a genuine platform to display their output and highlight their professional and creative abilities. The exhibition also aimed to raise community awareness of their capabilities and underscore their active role across various fields of work and production — thereby strengthening their self-confidence and granting them opportunities for direct interaction with their academic and social surroundings.

Ms. Sahar Al-Akhras — Founder of the Down Centers for Education and Vocational Training — clarified that the Association operates under a comprehensive vision aimed at empowering children and youth with Down Syndrome educationally and vocationally. Two specialized centers have been established: the first focuses on delivering foundational educational programs for children, covering self-care skills and basic learning principles; the second concentrates on vocational training for youth in various crafts and trades — including embroidery, sewing, barbering, cooking, and garment manufacturing — thus contributing to their effective integration into society and the labor market.

A community partnership serving society and humanity

The exhibition’s success reflected the ongoing, year-on-year collaboration between the Child Care Association and Al-Wataniya Private University — presenting an effective model of community partnership that empowers youth and young women with Down Syndrome. It provided them with a stimulating university environment that helps break down barriers of shyness and fear, while reinforcing self-confidence through direct interaction with students and visitors. This cooperation has also helped embed values of acceptance and inclusion within the university community and opened broader horizons for participants to demonstrate their abilities and achieve meaningful, impactful presence in society.

In a scene embodying the highest humanitarian and social solidarity values, the exhibition succeeded in providing a genuine platform to highlight latent potentials and resilient willpower among youth and young women with Down Syndrome — their capacity to challenge limitations and achieve excellence. This step affirms the profound impact of collaboration between academic institutions and community associations in transforming initiatives into inspiring success stories.