Updates

I met with 8 other finalists on the way to the social engagement. It was a blast! My first impression that all of them had studied outside the SJLP region (except for one finalist and me) had me a little questioning merit and equal opportunities, but soon we were chatting like old friends because everyone was really kind, nice, and really good at what they do.

The weird thing happened when we, the 9 finalists (me included), arrived at the social engagement, and were told that the committee members would be a bit late because they're having a private virtual social engagement with a Syrian Finalist, in the US, who couldn't attend in person due to "visa issues". 

It was a bit concerning, especially to some other finalists who had indeed flown from the US to be in Amman in person. 

How come this candidate was exempted from this mandatory requirement, and how come we weren't informed of a virtual option? Because, personally, I'd have chosen to take it virtually and save myself the exhausting sleep deprivation and hassle caused by leaving after my exam. 

However, at the time, we were all taken by the moment, and the committee members never mentioned this afterwards. I still don't know the name of this candidate. I completely ruled out that he'd win; after all, unattendance is already a disadvantage because first it's a violation of the rules,  and second because Rhodes' in-person interviews are there for a reason: to assess a candidate's true personality, behaviours, and values, and those cannot be assessed authentically just by a virtual meeting, or so I thought.

The social engagement proceeded as normal, but the schedule was pushed back more into the evening, and I couldn't get enough sleep before my early interview the next day.
Interview day was over. Confidentiality is an important part of that, and I will not be discussing the content here: 1) in respect of that, 2) because it's different for every candidate,  and 3) because this is not the reason I'm actually writing this update. 

The results are yet to be publicly announced as of the date of writing, but from confirming with the other Syrian candidates, we know that the virtual student is the winner; surprised? You bet we were. 

Disclaimer: The decision of the committee is final, and I am not writing to question it. 

I'm just writing to bring up this issue of lack of transparency; about the possibility of interviewing virtually, and equal access to that option, and to the committee, considering the advantage that a virtual private social engagement allows over a group social engagement between all other finalists, and other guests in addition to the committee members. 

To put things straight, this may or may not have affected the outcome. What I know for sure is that had I known that not attending in person would still allow me to be considered, I'd have certainly stayed home, gotten enough sleep, and performed better in the interview, whether it would have changed the outcome or not.

I'm writing because it's just a matter of credibility, of standing up for what you project for the world; i.e. Rhodes Scholarships advocate for equal access, transparency, and moral force of character, which I view were not entirely met.

Therefore, for future SJLP finalists, I encourage you to bring up this incident, and request a virtual interview if you need it. 

I'm certainly not against a virtual interview for someone who truly needs it, I'm just demanding that all finalists have that option, and are aware of it. I wish I'd requested that, and saved myself the exhaustion. But what can you say, the application overview guidance also states very clearly that you should be present in person. 

For future applicants, especially who have studied in their home country, I wish you all the best in the world, and believe in yourself. I really wanted to be selected, to be an advocate for selecting home students, and seriously considering their huge disadvantage compared to abroad students. Alas, this is the furthest I could go with it, now it's your turn.

I hope that by writing this I'm inspiring someone, with similar conditions, who will be able to challenge that and win it.

SJLP is largely different from most constituencies in this regard because in most other countries, home students are the majority, and there isn't a huge gap between a home student and a student abroad in terms of opportunities and resources. After all, Syria has been isolated and under limited resources for years, putting most home students, including me, under extra limits and minimising eligibility for the Rhodes Scholarship in the first place. Those home students who are eligible are still compared to the majority of abroad students, and making it to the finalist is still unlikely.
Those who make it, in very rare occasions, like my case, are typically overshadowed by abroad students, or in this case, a virtually attending candidate.

Still, one day, I'll donate funds for additional scholarship seats, that are going to be for home students only. Although I hope that SJLP undergoes reform in this aspect, and I hope to live to do that myself. 

Many would say that the Rhodes is just funding. For the abroad students, it usually is just funding. But for me, it could have been a lot more, it could have been a platform for social reform, for activism, standing up for the injustices that I've been subject to, in a third-world country suffering a civil war and societal divide, and a cornerstone to changing countless lives, and making their dreams come true; yet it didn't. 

I'll keep moving forward, chasing my dreams, not letting anything or anyone dictate who I am, what I deserve, or what I should do; while I hope this changes.  

I recently participated in the IBRO Journal Cover Art Contest.
Although my artworks were not selected, I am still proud of the concepts I was able to illustrate. 

About four years ago, I casually took up 3D-realistic digital illustration without any experience in the commonly used digital art software, using only the simple drawing feature on the Apple Notes App.

 Fast forward to today: I’m thrilled to share that my third-ever digital illustration, created way back on May 10, 2020, titled "The Cranium Castle," has been accepted for display at the Art for Neurosurgery Gallery 2024. 

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the gallery representatives and curators at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), who are organizing this exhibit. I’ve personally always approached my passion for neuroscience through art, and it’s amazing to see art appreciated and encouraged at scientific meetings such as the CNS Annual Meeting!

  Although I won’t be able to ship the artwork to the exhibit or attend the meeting in the USA due to travel issues—meaning my artwork won’t be displayed—I remain grateful for this opportunity and hopeful for what’s to come. My digital art journey is just beginning, as I aspire to add new perspective to the medical graphic literature with my medical illustrations accompanying many of my research papers in progress!