Training of educators – UNRWA agreement with Birzeit University – UNRWA press release

Memorandum of Understanding UNRWA-Birzeit University

On Thursday, 6 September 2007, Mr. Filippo Grandi, Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA, and Dr. Nabil Kassis, President of Birzeit University, signed an agreement in Ramallah marking the start of a collaborative working relationship between UNRWA and the University's developmental arm, the Center for Continuing Education (CCE).

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration and coordination under which UNRWA will take advantage of CCE's local expertise in training and supporting Palestinian institutions. A pilot initiative on the science education degree is already being planned by the Education Department of the West Bank Field Office and CCE.

The signing took place on the occasion of the CCE's launch of "CAPABILITY" – a new initiative focused on capacity building with learning institutions in Palestine, supported by technology.

The Deputy Commissioner-General described the partnership with CCE as an important part of the Agency's efforts to arrest declining standards of education in its schools. He noted that better use of information and communications technology for educational purposes is essential in the 21st century, particularly in the fragmented occupied Palestinian territory where closures and access restrictions are taking their toll on the effective delivery of the Agency's programmes and on the ability of children to learn from and experience the outside world.