Accessibility of Higher Education in Palestine

Accessibility of Higher Education in Palestine

Zajel / An-Najah National University Accessibility of Higher Education in Palestine  Conference on: The Role of Higher Education in the Context of an Independent Palestinian State 7-9 Nov.1996 Based on the proposed framework for education contained in this report and the hypotheses surrounding it vis-a-vis the number of universities and their function, Palestinian universities and colleges should be able to accommodate 40,000 students in _approximately one decade. This number is not arbitrary, but rather based on the population base in Palestine with which we are dealing. In other words, when Palestine begins to enjoy a greater degree of stability, the Palestinian Authority needs to prepare all institutes of higher beaming on all levels to increase their capacity for absorbing students by 50%. This of course assumes that we work towards national integration and making the system of higher education more accessible to both the Palestinians returning from abroad and those inside Israel. In order for these different groups of our scattered people to be able to study successfully in Palestinian universities and colleges, we need to adequately prepare the necessary faculty, as well as provide the proper classroom space, books and study materials. We estimate that we need to make available 250,000 square metres of building space for classrooms, lecture halls, desks, locker rooms, physical education facilities (gymnasiums, playing fields, swimming pools, etc.). These figures are in keeping with UNESCO estimates as well as those mentioned in the initial reports prepared by members of this committee. As for qualified personnel, considering that the instructor/student ratio should be around 1/22 (according to UNESCO reports), there should be no less than two thousand instructors with advanced degrees employed in the education of the desired 40,000 students. Obviously, instructors with doctoral degrees or the equivalent would be preferable. In accordance with this goal, we must plan to incorporate 1,000 additional instructors to the existing educational system. A possible way of meeting this need would be to hire competent internationals and Palestinians, currently working or studying at universities in the Arab world and elsewhere. In preparing a practical program intended to benefit the development and growth of Palestinian universities and research centres, we hope that our system of higher education will be acceptable by international standards within 10 years.