Promotion of Advanced Studies and Research at Palestinian Universities: the Role of Regional and International Co-operation.

Promotion of Advanced Studies and Research at Palestinian Universities: the Role of Regional and International Co-operation.

Zajel / An-Najah National University Chairperson: Professor Hanna Nasir, President, Birzeit University Main Speaker: Professor Henri Jaqaman, Bethlehem University Rapporteurs : Professor Willy Laporte, University of Gent, and  Dr. Ziad Abdeen, Professor, Al-Quds University The Working Group was attended by fifty five participants. In a short introduction, Dr. Hanna Nasir underlined the relevance of the topic of the Working Group for the future development of Palestinian higher education. At present, most programmes offered by Palestinian universities are at the undergraduate level and there is a shortage of research practically all domains. Dr. Henry Jaqaman presented the Working Document: Promotion of Research at Palestinian universities - Investment in Research, and Development, emphasizing that the development of Palestinian society is not possible without research. This requires considerable investments, which are lacking. As things stand at present, the Palestinian researchers should be satisfied if the modest amount of US$10 per capita (Le. a total amount ofUS$25 million) could be raised and allocated for research. He further proposed a number of solutions, which are included in the recommendations below. More than 25 interventions came from the audience. They referred to concrete needs in advanced studies and research at Palestinian universities, and put forward practical solutions to redress the current situation. The following recommendations were formulated about three topics: Advanced Studies, Research, and the Role of the PEACE Programme. Advanced Studies Considering that any effort for social and economic development of Palestinian society requires the existence of highly qualified people, and that the most important decision a nation in development can take is to invest in human resources, it is of the highest priority that, at a first stage, Palestinian universities should offer education on a graduate level, not only for basic sciences and technology but also for humanistic, social, cultural and educational sciences. At a later stage, post-graduate and doctoral studies should be provided. Considering that, at present, scientific know-how in a range of fields is missing, and that there are not enough research opportunities at Palestinian universities, and considering that building up a research tradition and a research culture needs time and considerable resources, it is recommended that scholarships should be provided to gifted graduates for study abroad at a post graduate or doctoral level. During the next few years, graduate studies could be supported, by bilateral or multilateral agreements with universities which can send teachers for intensive courses, or by: international programs of the European Community and of other international funding organizations. Considering that, because of a variety of reasons, Palestine has a large number of small size universities, a sustained effort should be made to achieve rationalization, through close co-operation between the eight existing universities, Research Considering that research should be the base for university education and considerer's that research is a prerequisite for development, - a research culture should be initiated. Hereby, the Palestinian National Authority, the Palestinian society at large and the international community should be motivated to provide funds, structures, and facilities. Moreover, a national research plan should be elaborated, with clear objectives and priorities; a national council for scientific research should be created, as a stimulating and coordinating body; national scientific societies should be founded, to develop links and contacts with the scientific societies and associations; a national data bank, or clearing- house should be established, in order to serve as a centre for scientific information; a system for evaluating research quality should be developed. Considering that the Palestinian resources are limited, international support should be 'provided by Integrating Palestinian universities or research groups in existing European programmes and, initiating joint research ventures, from which all partners could benefit. Recommendations for the PEACE Programme The Palestinian universities should make an inventory of their most badly felt needs and priorities with regard to advanced studies and research, which should be transmitted to the PEACE Programme Office, for distribution to the member-universities. In their turn, the member-universities of the PEACE Programme should indicate the domains in which they want to be involved, including the resources - both human and material - which they are in a position to provide. The Peace Programme should match the needs of the Palestinian universities with the offers of the PEACE Programme member-universities into concrete projects, and should seek international support for their implementation.