Muzna Al-Quaiti: "In Order to Hope for a Brighter Future, One Should Have Pride in One's Past".

While studying for an MA in Near & Middle Eastern History at SOAS, I planned to take up a teaching or academic position to advance the study of Middle Eastern art, culture and history. After graduating in 2003, my plans came to fruition and I am now a lecturer of Contemporary World History and Art Appreciation at Dar Al Hekma College in Jeddah. I believe that in order to hope for a brighter future, one should have pride in one’s past – and I hope to be able to spread such values through my teaching.  

When I was at SOAS, I had an incredible experience. The atmosphere there was very multi-cultural and there were weekly lectures related to my field of study.  I went to other lectures just because I could! I loved the opportunity to attend talks given by world famous speakers and lecturers.

The MBI Al Jaber Foundation staff looked after me during my time at SOAS and were concerned about every aspect of my period of study from books, accommodation and even my meals.  They helped to organise interesting trips with colleagues to places in England, such as Cambridge. They were generous in their financial support and checked up on me regularly, which gave me the incentive to continue working hard!

As well as being married and having two children, I have been employed at Dar al Hekma University in Jeddah KSA teaching history, always a challenging subject, to students who come from different backgrounds.  I have been trying for the past 10 years to instil in them a pride of their past via my history lectures. In a nutshell, the MBI Al Jaber Foundation gave me the opportunity to serve and teach History and Art to the daughters of our region; the Middle East. Today, I am a more motivated person because of the Foundation’s help and recognition.