Siraj Bedouin Program

Empowering Bedouin youth and graduates with the skills, experience, and opportunities to build successful careers in Israel’s high-tech industry.

The Challenge

Bedouin students and graduates remain significantly underrepresented in Israel’s high-tech sector, often facing limited exposure, professional networks, and hands-on industry experience needed to transition into employment.

  • Large community: Approximately 305,000 Bedouins live in Israel, representing about 3.5% of the country’s population. 3.5% 3.5%
  • Young population: 51.7% of Negev Bedouins are under age 18. 51.7% 51.7%
  • Employment gap: Only 24% of the total Negev Bedouin population is employed. 24% 24%
  • Higher education gap: Only 10.1% of Bedouin young adults ages 20–25 are higher education students. 10.1% 10.1%
  • STEM gap: Just 1.12% of Bedouin undergraduate students study mathematics, statistics, or computer science. 1.12% 1.12%
  • Economic mobility gap: Less than 9% of all Negev Bedouin residents earn above minimum wage. 9% 9%

Limited Access, Untapped Potential

The Bedouin community represents approximately 305,000 people—about 3.5% of Israel’s population—and is one of the country’s youngest and fastest-growing populations. Yet Bedouins remain significantly underrepresented in higher education, STEM fields, and high-tech: only 10.1% of Bedouin young adults ages 20–25 are enrolled in higher education, and just 1.12% of Bedouin undergraduates study mathematics, statistics, or computer science.

Our Solution

Siraj creates a clear pathway into high-tech by reaching Bedouin youth and young adults at critical stages: high school, higher education, workforce entry, and career development. The program combines STEM exposure, academic support, mentoring, practical training, networking, internships, and employer connections to help participants understand what a career in technology can look like and gain the tools to pursue it.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

1. Introduction to High-Tech Program

This program exposes high school students to the world of high-tech through interactive workshops on artificial intelligence, digital game development, and emerging technologies. Participants meet Bedouin engineers and university students who serve as role models and inspire STEM aspirations. The program also engages parents, educators, and community leaders through awareness sessions that strengthen support for technology education and future careers.

Annual Participants:

Students in grades 9–12, parents, educators, and community leaders. 1,000–1,500 students and 300 community participants.

Duration:

Flexible and tailored to each school. Sessions last two to three hours, and schools may participate in one or multiple sessions.

2. Hackathon

This innovation and entrepreneurship program challenges students to develop technology-based solutions to real social issues. Through preparatory workshops, teamwork, and ongoing mentorship, participants strengthen their programming, creative thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills. The program concludes with a hackathon where teams present their projects to judges, industry representatives, and community leaders.

Annual Participants:

70 students in grade 10 from 14 schools, with five students representing each school.

Duration:

Two months.

3. Digital Tent

This hands-on technology bootcamp provides students with practical programming experience through project-based learning. Working in teams with guidance from instructors and mentors, participants develop technology projects while strengthening their coding, logical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The program builds technical confidence and prepares students for future STEM studies and careers.

Annual Participants:

60 students in grades 10-12 across two cohorts.

Duration:

Two months, with three three-hour sessions per week.

UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

4. Mentoring for Success

In partnership with Ben-Gurion University, this mentoring program pairs first-year STEM students with experienced third- and fourth-year STEM mentors. Through ongoing academic and personal guidance, participants strengthen their confidence, persistence, and professional development. The program aims to reduce dropout rates, improve academic success, and prepare students for future careers in the high-tech industry.

Annual Participants:

60 first-year undergraduate STEM students (mentees) and 30 third- and fourth-year STEM students (mentors).

Duration:

The full academic year (8 months).

TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

5. Internship Program

This program provides paid internships for final-year STEM students and recent graduates in leading high-tech companies. Over six months, participants gain hands-on professional experience, contribute to real projects, and work alongside experienced teams. The program bridges the gap between academia and employment, helping participants successfully transition into long-term careers in the high-tech industry.

Annual Participants:

Approximately 20 final-year STEM students and recent graduates.

Duration:

6 months.

6. Employment Mentoring Program

This program connects recent STEM graduates with experienced mentors from leading high-tech companies, including Dell, Check Point, and NVIDIA. Through personalized one-on-one mentoring, participants strengthen their professional skills, expand their networks, gain insight into the high-tech industry, and build the confidence needed to secure their first professional role.

Annual Participants:

30 STEM graduates.

Duration:

Six one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Our Impact So Far

%

program participants are employed in the high-tech industry today

participants are part of the student community

partner schools throughout Bedouin communities in the Negev

%

a growing network of Bedouin high-tech alumni across southern Israel

Success Stories

My name is Ihab Abu Riash, and I am from Hura, a Bedouin town in the northern Negev. I joined the itworks’ Qualitest QA training program. After completing the course, I successfully entered the high-tech workforce. Today, I work as a Software Test Engineer at Qualitest, specializing in the Data Lake domain. The training program provided me with the knowledge and professional skills that became my first step toward building a career in the high-tech industry.

Abu Riash

My name is Haiman Alkranawi, and I am from Rahat. I am a Team Leader at Siraj, where I manage complex projects using innovative technological solutions. I am also the proud father of three wonderful children. After graduating with a degree in Software Engineering, I struggled to find a job in my field. Like many others, I was preparing to follow the more traditional path of becoming a teacher. Everything changed when I met Siraj through one of its hackathon competitions.
That opportunity led me to join Siraj’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, which ultimately helped me secure a position in the high-tech industry.
Today, I lead a team of employees, work directly with clients, and manage innovative technology projects.

Haiman Alkranawi

A Single Opportunity Can Change a Life

For many Bedouin students and graduates, a high-tech career begins with one opportunity: a mentor, a STEM program, or a first internship. Your support helps open these doors, expanding access to education, employment, and economic mobility while building a more inclusive high-tech workforce for Israel.

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