Palestinian Partners

Al Azhar University of Gaza

  

Al-Azhar University-Gaza (AUG)  was established in 1992 to provide a quality education for the Palestinian youth, and to fulfill the Palestinian people ambitions of building a better society.

The University has around 16,000 undergraduate students in twelve faculties (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Science, Engineering and Information Technology, Applied Medical Sciences, Agriculture and Environment, Education, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Arts and Human Sciences, Law, and Sharia).  Besides, the university comprises educational centers, which can meet the needs of the Palestinian community, and help its youth majoring in diverse and fruitful fields of post-graduate knowledge. Moreover, the University has established postgraduate programs towards a Master Degree in Pharmacy, Arts, Mediterranean Studies, Law, Education, Agriculture, Water Sciences and Environment, Economic, Statistics, Business Administration, Accounting, Political Sciences, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. AL Azhar University seeks to achieve excellence in higher education and scientific research at both regional and international levels, supported by AUG’s mission to positively contribute to the advancement of Palestine by preparing distinctive students and graduating who are capable of taking charge and leading the future of Palestine in order to achieve the Palestinian dream of liberty, independence and state building.

Vision:

AUG strives to create knowledge, uniqueness, excellence, innovation and creativity through its Academics and Students; to be one of the pioneering universities locally, regionally and internationally; to be a scientific, research, and development centre for the Palestinian society; and to be fully committed to total quality and continuous improvement requirements.                                                  

Mission:

AUG aims to satisfy the needs of Palestinian and Arab community with a qualified personnel in diverse disciplines of knowledge, applied scientific researches, and sustainable development with a focus on employing the most sophisticated information technology and communication means. Moreover, AUG is concerned with maintaining the authenticity of Arab-Islamic heritage, adhering human rights principles, and developing partnerships with stakeholders.                      

Strategic Goals of AUG:

1. - To build and improve the capacities of academic and administrative staff, as well as supportive administrative processes for educational programs, scientific research and community service.
2. - To develop AUG’s academic programs in order to meet the Palestinian and Arab labour market needs through creating an innovative, distinctive and high quality educational environment.
3. - To contribute in improving the knowledge level as a basis for establishing strategies of AUG’s development plans and sustainable development of the Palestinian community.
4. - To strengthen AUG public engagement through providing consultative, training, and research services; as well encouraging voluntary work.
5. - To strengthen AUG’s external relations with regional and international organizations and universities and enhance AUG’s abilities to reach the Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and International sources of fund.

Birziet University 

Birzeit University an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education overseen by an autonomous Board of Trustees. The University seeks to maintain excellence in teaching and learning, to advance knowledge through research, and to contribute to community service. It believes firmly in freedom of thought and expression, democratic practices, intellectual pluralism and civilized discourse. The University endeavours to produce leaders who hold themselves to high standards of personal integrity, and are committed to critical and innovative thinking and lifelong learning. The University strives to contribute to human civilization issuing from the Arab-Islamic heritage.

BZU Goal: 

1. - providing access to study and specialization in all fields of knowledge with interest in the general education b) encouraging scientific research, developing a culture of research and inquiry, and independent critical and analytic thinking
2. - Promoting the development of the arts and sciences
3. - Esteeming ethical values
4. - Promoting democracy, teamwork, and a culture of voluntarism among students.
5. - Developing interest in the Arab & Islamic civilization and the dissemination of its heritage g) strengthening links with Arab and international higher education and scientific institutions. (authorized translation of the Arabic original)

University College of Applied Sciences

UCAS is one of the leading academic institutions in Palestine with over 8000 full time students studying in more than 60 specialization (Bachelor and Diploma). UCAS programs are accredited from the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.   The college aims to develop a regional and international role as a leading research an innovation institution and establish academic and cultural cooperation with various international educational institutions and NGOs.  The mission is to provide a global vision for the student sat UCAS as well as the local population by providing the leadership, raising awareness, facilitating the pursuit of international education and encouraging investment in global collaborations. Currently, UCAS is a member of many associations including: Institute of International Education (IIE), the International Association of Universities (IAU),the Community of Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED), the Association of Arab Universities (AAU), and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

Al Quds Open University 

Al-Quds Open University is an administratively, academically and financially independent public university. It was established in Amman by a decree issued by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and started operating in Palestine in 1991. QOU also works on integrating IT in the educational process by suitable means and gradually. As the University adopts the Open Education System, it is willing to widen its relation internationally with other Open Education institutions to exchange experience, research and other things as well.

Due to the flexibility and to the quality of its educational system, the number of learners Registered in the University has increased in 2009-2012 to reach more than 67,000. The university has twenty-two Educational Regions and Study Centers spreading all over the country, in addition to two Educational Centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and an office in Amman, Jordan.

Al-Quds Open University adopts Open Education System to deliver knowledge to all society members, regardless of their backgrounds. It also makes its scientific and specialized training centers available to its learners and society members, to contribute to their empowerment through technological skills and knowledge. The university seeks to enable its graduates to build national institutions base d on their abilities and qualifications leading to the Palestinian dream. QOU is the only institution within Higher Education law entitled to provide open education courses and programs in Palestine. 

QOU have a high potential for integration into this project as demonstrated by its participation in many national and international projects such as:

1. - Alleviate the digital divide in higher education along the Mediterranean basin – Avicenna (UNESCO funded);
2. - Inter-University Network for Open and Distance Learning - RUFO (Tempus-MEDA funded).
3. - Open Digital Space For the Mediterranean - e-OMED (an initiative of the European Commission).
4. - Program for Palestinian European Academic Cooperation in Education (funded by European Commission)
5. - Educational video library ( funded by the European Commission (EC) and the World Bank(WB).