A great way to recognise people who are committed to society and inspire others

What are you doing at the moment?
I’m currently working at PostNL as a sorting assistant in Kolham (on a flex contract, night shift) to cover my monthly expenses. At the same time, I’m working with Syrian colleagues and friends to set up a platform to connect Syrian diaspora professionals in the Netherlands. The aim is to organise and coordinate their knowledge and efforts towards the reconstruction of a new Syria. Recently, together with Stefen Hageman, I organised the first conference at the Humanity Hub in The Hague to launch this initiative.

Do you remember the moment you found out you’d been named Alumnus of the Year? What went through your mind?
Absolutely. I received a WhatsApp message from Vice-Chancellor Jacuelien Scherpen on 1 June 2025 at around 7.30 pm. At first I thought it was spam, so I googled it. And sure enough, it turned out to be genuine. I was really happy, but at that moment I didn’t realise just how important this award actually is. Later I realised that it’s a great honour and recognition.

What did it mean to you to be named Alumnus of the Year?
It means a great deal to me, but also to other refugees. It gives hope to people who have lost so much through war and displacement, yet still show that they can rebuild their lives and achieve things.

What did you like so much about the title?
I found it special that people around me – friends, acquaintances and colleagues – saw me as someone who has achieved something. That recognition gave me a lot of motivation.

Has the title brought you any tangible benefits? (e.g. contacts, collaborations, motivation)
Yes. After winning the award, I was approached by a political party asking if I would stand as a candidate on their list for the local council elections. I ultimately declined, because I’m not ready for that at the moment and because I hope to return to Syria one day.

Why should people nominate an Alumnus of the Year?
Because it’s a great way to recognise people who are committed to society and inspire others. It shows that success isn’t just about personal achievements, but also about how you can motivate others and contribute to positive change.