Priorities of Higher Education

Priorities of Higher Education

Zajel / An-Najah National University Short and Long Term Needs: Priorities of Higher Education  Conference on: The Role of Higher Education in the Context of an Independent Palestinian State 7-9 Nov.1996 Our evaluation of what the priorities of higher education are and will be in the coming stages stems from what we see and logically understand to be lacking in Palestinian society. There are no detailed studies on societal needs in the numerous social and economic sectors, such as industry, agriculture, commerce, construction, education, production, services etc. which the field of higher education requires to function properly. Despite this fact, Palestinian society is in the process of facing up to this challenge across the educational spectrum. Therefore, we can divide these priorities into two groups: A. Completing the Initial Set-up of Higher Education on the Structural Level and for the Future. Despite the fact that there are 8 universities in Palestine, none has developed programs in all fields of specialization. On account of this, it is necessary to conduct exhaustive studies on the needs of these institutions in order to immediately allocate whatever is possible in terms of human resources. This is the first step in meeting the needs of higher education and serving the community. For example, there is presently no program for studies in communications in its various forms in any Palestinian university. They could all try to start a program in this field right away, although it would be insufficient as far as equipment and training go. It would be preferable to designate one university to make an all-out effort in this regard, while other universities would specialize in different types of other, badly needed programs. This kind of strategy would allow for the identification of the needs of society, how and what educational programs can serve those needs, and then designate such programs within a given university. Another important consideration is Palestinian society's need for technical and practical expertise in the short, medium and long range. We need medical schools and centers, as well as science institutes. As we are at the beginning of the process of building a state which will be based on a constitution and the sovereignty of law, we also must realize the importance of having our own law school. Such an institution will flesh out the various laws remaining from the decades of foreign rule and clear up what the law in Palestine is and requires of all citizens. B.A New Structure There is a need for advanced professional and technology colleges which can combine undergraduate and graduate studies such as public management colleges and others which employ the most modem management and organizational techniques. Scientific and technical research centres are also in demand in Palestine. Founding a medical school in Palestine is easily one of the pressing priorities of higher education. The establishment of a regular medical school whose main aim is to train and graduate capable doctors to treat the Palestinian people is very feasible and probable. The general state of the Palestinians in this field could allow for much more, i.e. a complete medical training facility and -hospital, with medical facilities, and training in veterinary care, dentistry, pharmacology, and nursing. At the same time, this type of medical facility could also have an extensive research centre, one that specializes in diseases prevalent in the Arab world, and receives the necessary financial support to perform such research. This complete medical university would become a main centre for scientific research in the region (similar to Hadassah or the specialized clinics in America like the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio). Our society is developing and looks to interact positively with the rest of the world in the 21st  century, tree from dependence on others. The only secure way of assuring this is to actively build schools, institutes, and universities which fulfill societal requirements. We must then create academic institutes and an academic system which will realize this national ambition. Quickly and effectively. The present situation in Palestine makes the completion of the educational infrastructure possible alongside the building of advanced study centers. In order to remain highly qualified and creative in the realm of sciences, we must also discuss the necessity of creating a specialized university like California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which concentrates on the study of theoretical and applied science and technology. This type of university will also ideally offer students a well-rounded education by giving courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition to what was previously discussed, serious thought must be given to finding a formula which accommodates the present institutions and supports them in their areas of distinction. For example, if a university has a program for training those who would work in the tourist industry, an important sector of the Palestinian economy, then that university should be considered the chief institute for training future restaurateurs, hotel managers, tour guides, etc. The university should therefore receive sufficient funding to expand its programs and better train its students, so as to reach a high level of aptitude in this field. Therefore, we will evaluate all universities in Palestine to see which ones stand out in which fields, in order to better develop high ­level programs of study in universities which prove themselves capable of such a task.