Mateen Program — Apply as a coach or mentor
A guide for coaches and mentors
This guide is for professionals and researchers considering a coach or mentor role in the Mateen Program — SAIF's project-based applied AI research and talent-development program. It explains what the role involves, how review works, and what commitment a project cycle expects.
Who this is for
You may apply from inside or outside Syria, regardless of nationality, when your expertise and interests are relevant to Mateen projects and to SAIF's mission in Syria and the Levant. Formal teaching credentials are not required — relevant technical or research expertise, and the ability to guide a project team, matter most.
What the role involves
A coach or mentor gives individualized technical guidance to a project team, helps maintain research and technical discipline, reviews progress, and supports the team toward a credible outcome — including the final review, presentation, documentation, or transition step. The specific contribution — for example project mentoring, technical review, office hours, workshop or training support, or assessment support — depends on the project and your preference.
What to prepare
Before applying, it helps to have ready:
- A description of your expertise areas and relevant experience.
- Any teaching or mentoring background, if applicable (optional).
- A CV, LinkedIn profile, website, or other professional links.
- A short statement of your motivation for contributing to Mateen.
- Your preferred type of contribution and general availability.
Eligibility and suitability
Applications are assessed for relevant expertise, availability, trust, and project fit. Applying does not guarantee admission, matching, or project assignment.
How review works
Review is human and project-specific. SAIF considers relevant expertise, mentoring approach, availability, trust, commitment, and project fit; a conversation may be used where relevant.
Responsibilities and expected commitment
If matched to a project, you should expect a normally focused active delivery period of approximately eight weeks — not a guarantee or a rigid requirement, as actual duration and time commitment depend on the specific project. Guidance may be delivered remotely, in a hybrid format, or in person, depending on the project, and generally continues throughout the delivery period, including the final review, presentation, documentation, or transition step.
Cost and financial support
Applying to Mateen is free. Any stipend or other financial arrangement depends on the specific project and program cycle, and will be communicated before you accept participation. Do not assume support is available unless it is explicitly stated.
Privacy, consent, and the Syrian Computer Society
As with any SAIF form, your information is handled under SAIF's Policies and Code of Conduct, which you are asked to acknowledge when applying.
The application also includes a separate, optional, unchecked consent question about sharing relevant parts of your submission with the Syrian Computer Society, for consideration in one clearly identified joint activity. Training of Trainers is one example of such an activity — it does not define the coach or mentor role or Mateen itself, and not every Mateen project involves it. This consent does not authorize any other information transfer, and it is never treated as declined simply because it was not asked.
What selection does and does not imply
Being matched to a project is not a guarantee of continued engagement, payment beyond what is agreed for that project, or any future role. It means SAIF has assessed your application as a good fit for a specific project at this time.
What happens after you apply?
- We confirm receipt immediately.
- We review expertise and availability and may invite you to a conversation.
- Matching depends on project needs.
- Acceptance into the general pool does not guarantee a project assignment.
Frequently asked questions for coaches and mentors
What does a coach or mentor actually do?
A coach or mentor gives individualized technical guidance to a project team, reviews progress, and helps the team work toward a credible outcome over the active delivery period.
Do I need formal teaching experience?
No. Relevant expertise and experience matter most. Teaching or mentoring background is helpful and can be described in your application, but it is not required.
Can I apply from outside Syria?
Yes. You may apply from inside or outside Syria, regardless of nationality, when your expertise and interests are relevant to Mateen projects and to SAIF's mission in Syria and the Levant.
Does applying guarantee I will be matched to a project?
No. Applying does not guarantee admission, matching, employment, funding, or project assignment. Applications are assessed for expertise, availability, trust, and project fit.
Is coaching or mentoring paid?
Applying is free. Any stipend or other financial arrangement depends on the specific project and program cycle, and will be communicated before you accept participation. Do not assume support is available unless it is explicitly stated.
Is Training of Trainers the same thing as being a Mateen coach or mentor?
No. Training of Trainers is one specific joint activity between SAIF and the Syrian Computer Society. It does not define the coach or mentor role or Mateen itself, and not every Mateen project involves it.
What does the optional consent question about the Syrian Computer Society mean?
It is a separate, optional, unchecked question that asks whether you consent to SAIF sharing relevant parts of your submission with the Syrian Computer Society for consideration in one specific joint activity, such as Training of Trainers. It does not authorize any other information transfer, and leaving it unchecked is not treated as a decline.
Apply as a coach or mentor
Applying is free and does not guarantee a project match, but it is the only way to be considered.