Effat College's Counseling Center in Collaboration with Dallah Al-Baraka celebrated graduation of the first two groups.

On March 29, 2008 at Effat College's Student Hall, about 32 working women, social workers, and counselors celebrated completion of two training courses offered by Effat College's Counseling Center in cooperation with Dallah al-Baraka. The celebration was attended by Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, Dean of Effat College, who gave a speech in which she conveyed her sincere congratulations to the graduates and commended this joint collaboration with Dallah Al-Baraka as a pioneering step towards professional success. 

The Dean's speech followed a welcoming speech by Dr. Amal Elyas the Director of the Counseling Center. Dr. Amal received a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology. The focus of her doctoral research was Arabian Muslim Women with fiery resistor spirits and the manifestation of these spirits in an Arabian Muslim cultural context. Since she joined Effat College, establishing a counseling center, which helps in promoting sense of community service among students and Effat community as well as offers training at different levels and counselling services for women in the society, was her dream. This dream came true by offering, as starting training courses, "Together in a Safe Work Place" and "The Basic Counselling Skills". The Counseling Center also offers three programs that focus on women personal development in Saudi Arabia, including: Basic Personal Life Skills, Working Life Skills, and Family Life Skills development programs.

Dr. Nadia Baeshin, the Manager of Social Programs at Dallah Al-Baraka, attended the celebration and gave a speech. In her speech, she thanked Effat College through its Counseling Center for offering such unique professional programs. She also expressed her gratitude to Dr. Amal Elyas for giving very enriching and up-to-date applicable training.

The first course, entitled "Together in a Safe Work Place" and attended by 19 female employees from Dallah, took place in Dallah Al-Barak on March 1st for one week. The course was about how to deal and communicate with male colleagues in a mixed work place. It also tackled how to avoid and even prevent any abuses or mistreatment. "I learnt from this course how to deal with my male colleagues in a proper way that will protect me from any misinterpretation," said Louran Muawad, one of the trainees. Another trainee, Suhair Al-Fakeeh, said, "I was completely unaware of the harassment that I might encounter. I learnt how to be conscious about my body language as well as the way I speak, dress and walk." Reem Al-Badry, one of the trainees added, "This kind of courses should be given to both males and females, so they know their limits and how to deal with each other, because this course provides an awareness that will release the pressure and improve the quality of work."

The second course, entitled "The Basic Counseling Skills" and attended by 13 female counselors and social workers from the governmental Social Affairs, took place in Effat College on March 15-26. The course was about getting the trainees exposed to counseling skills and tools in dealing with clients. "After spending 15 years working as social worker, attending this training course was a great benefit to me. This course refreshed my professional knowledge and enhanced my counseling strategies in dealing with my younger clients," said Sawyah Bin Jahlan, one of the trainees. Kholoud Bayazeed, a counselor in Al-Jameah Al-Faysaliah, added, "This course was a practical session. From this course my skills to figure out the problem and accordingly implementing counseling methods were flourished." Lama Shaban, a counselor from Social Education House, said, "What I learnt from this course is applicable to any social relations. It was mainly about practices rather than theories. I truly recommend it to my other colleagues."   

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Amal Elyas
Director of Counseling Center
Effat College
Phone: +966 2 6364 300 Ext: 5200
Fax: +922 2 6377 447
Email: aelyas@effatcollege.edu.sa
Website: www.effatcollege.edu.sa

© Press Release 2008