Private Institutions: Profit Making Companies

Private Institutions: Profit Making Companies

Zajel / An-Najah National University Ibrahim Abu Lughud Conference on: The Role of Higher Education in the Context of an Independent Palestinian State 7-9 Nov.1996 The basic question here is: should the creation of institutions of higher education as a financial investment by individuals be made legal, as is the case in Jordan? This type of higher education institution, which awards university - level degrees in numerous fields of learning, is practically non-existent in developed nations, Western and Eastern. Such a type, which has become popular recently in countries like Jordan, sprung forth from the concept of private ownership of primary and secondary schools, which developed under extraordinary circumstances in this particular age. The idea of creating private, profit making higher education institutions must be approached with caution. At this crucial stage of development, when there are eight different non-profit universities in Palestine, and general studies are being carried out to improve the level of higher education, the establishment of such institutions could be allowed in exceptional circumstances, and under strict guidelines which guarantee a high standard of achievement. The establishment of private, profit making arts, technological, and vocational institutes (flight training school, auto-mechanics schools, etc.) should be permitted. It should be clear, however, that this type of institution cannot grant legitimate university degrees, and different types of guidelines need to be placed on these types of institutions than on academic ones.