A Journey of Ambition… Abdulrahman Otham: From Aleppo to Germany
June 16, 2025, 2:08 pm

A Journey of Ambition… Abdulrahman Otham: From Aleppo to Germany

عبدالرحمن عثمان

Abdulrahman Otham, the young Syrian who dreamt since childhood of change and creativity, shares his story from Aleppo to Saarland, where challenges and conflicts did not halt his ambition but strengthened his determination to realize himself and open broader horizons.

His journey began with dreams and aspirations in his homeland, Aleppo, before losing many opportunities due to difficult circumstances. However, once he had the chance to study in Germany, he seized it wholeheartedly, armed with perseverance and ambition.

Currently, Abdulrahman is studying in the Faculty of Medicine at Saarland University (UdS), and he affirms that his journey is not limited to just his specialization. He aims to help society through scientific research and continuous development. During his studies, he has acquired advanced research and scientific writing skills, and he has started publishing his international research papers, with six peer-reviewed works published in renowned journals to date. This demonstrates his commitment and determination to excel.

Abdulrahman has a clear vision for his advice to students: "Participate actively in university life; it is not just about classes but a social responsibility. It is what gives it its true value." He is among the students who founded the "Treffpunkt Orient und Occident" initiative on campus, which received a special award for its role in improving study conditions for international students.

In sharing his personal experience, he recalls a memorable moment on his first day at university when his professor admired his bravery and wrote him a personal recommendation. This opened doors to scholarships and financial support, enabling him to focus more on research and development, and to contribute to community service.

He also emphasizes that Germany, for him, is not only the land of poets and thinkers but also a land of opportunities. The support and encouragement he received showed him that success is not solely about origin but about willpower and dedication. Since beginning his life in Germany, he considers social responsibility not just a duty after graduation, but something that begins the moment one realizes they are part of society and capable of making a difference.

Abdulrahman concluded his speech affirming that his university experience and the hope that renews daily will remain sources of pride and belonging. He always strives to transfer knowledge and build a better future for his homeland, based on his experiences and loyal comrades.

Abdulrahman Otham exemplifies how willpower, challenge, and resilience can create opportunities for excellence. Knowledge and education are tools for building a stronger, more advanced society, deriving strength from one’s roots and limitless ambition.

Prosecuting Journalists and Activists Following Complaint from Regime Loyalist A Journey of Ambition… Abdulrahman Otham: From Aleppo to Germany

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”