With the aim of exchanging ideas and strengthening economic relations with medium-sized companies in Germany
The Goethe-Institut launches”Horizons 2020 – Opportunities for the Future” Initiative to Enable Young Professionals of the Near and Middle East Countries
(shahennews
The Goethe-Institut in partnership with the Federal Foreign Office, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the Federation of German Industries (BDI) launch a joint initiative called “Horizons 2020 – Opportunities for the Future” that works on enabling young professionals from Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq to exchange ideas with medium-sized companies in Germany in order to strengthen economic relations between Germany and the countries of the Near and Middle East as well as to encourage intercultural exchange.
Sixteen young professionals from both genders participated in this initiative that includes a training program that helps gain an insight into the working methods and cooperation of a German company. They also attend a language course at the Goethe Institute to improve their German language skills in a professional context. The companies in turn have the opportunity to talk to a specialist in their sector about the market potential, working methods and decision-making processes in the respective target country and to expand their networks.
“Working as a senior project manager in international development, I felt attracted by the opportunity provided by the Horizons 2020 Program to engage in dialogue with different German companies many of which are active world-wide, including the Middle East, and thus constitute important partners in driving sustainable development in the region. Germany is a central actor in international development and particularly renewable energy in Jordan, which is why I feel it is important for me professionally to gain insight into German business culture and the German industry market,” said Ghassan Naji Ismail, Senior Energy Project Manager and a participant from Jordan.
From her side, Hanna Al-Dineh, an Architect and a graduate from the German Jordanian University participating in the initiative said that this is an interesting opportunity for her to create new international connections and to gain a more in-depth perspective of the German job market. Her main objective is to network with the international candidates and exchanging experiences. As well as understanding the German job market better and achieving personal and profesional development through the training measures.
“Horizons 2020 is a future-oriented and intercultural project. I find the program particularly interesting because its primary goal is to bridge the gap between qualified professionals and companies. I aim to exchange professional experiences with the participating companies and deepen and improve my German language skills especially that I have been working throughout full-time jobs and internships in Germany and Jordan,” Amer Alabbadi, a Biomedical Engineer, talked about his participation.
“This exchange usually takes place in the form of an eight-week internship in Germany. However, the travel restrictions caused by the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic also forced the Horizons Project to develop new formats and solutions. Trips to Germany cannot be implemented this year for the 16 professionals. Instead, they will attend a virtual language and intercultural training program over nine weeks and get to know German companies and the project partners DIHK, BDI and the Federal Foreign Office in exchange and networking events,” said Ms. Nina Hoferichter, Consultant for Mobility & Migration and Project Manager of the Horizons 2020 in Germany.
The first meeting between the experts from Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq took place on Monday 28th of September, in an online exchange organized by the Goethe Institute. In the following week the first of two language courses started, and on the 15th of October the first meeting took place with company representatives and all project partners in a larger online event. The program will continue till it completes all its stages.
It is worth mentioning that it is not yet clear in which form the Horizons project will take place next year. For those interested in participating, it might be worthwhile to take advantage of the time working from home to improve their German language skills, so they might be accepted for the selection process. The requirements are good German language skills (B2 level), a university degree and initial work experience.
You can find more information here: www.goethe.de/horizonte and
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/iran-horizonte/
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