UNRWA CELEBRATES THE INNOVATION OF GAZA TRAINING CENTRE STUDENTS
13 May 2016
UNRWA celebrated the innovation demonstrated by graduates of its Gaza Training Centre (GTC) graduates. The ceremony was attended by the Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Bo Schack, UNRWA senior staff, the students’ parents and representatives from the industrial sector, the General Palestinian Industrial Federation, unions and non-governmental organisations in Gaza.
The ceremony was held to honour two groups of GTC innovators and their supervisors. The first group consisted of four male graduates and their supervisors who were able to implement and develop a water solar heating system. The new system attracted the attention of Action Against Hunger (ACF) and Mercy Corps, two international non-government organisations active in Gaza.
The second group consisted of five graduates (one male and four females) who were able to produce a cheese enriched with high percentage of calcium and phyto-oestrogen as a natural treatment for osteoporosis. The second group received a patent from the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy.
“It’s a proud moment to see such young innovators in Gaza despite all of the challenges and the obstacles that face youth in Gaza – they are an inspiration to future generations,” said Mr. Schack in his remarks.
UNRWA GTC was established in 1953. More than 21,000 students completed its vital Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, which was introduced to assist youth refugees in finding employment opportunities to provid a decent living for themselves and their families and help in developing the local economy.
To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the TVET training and help graduates to finds jobs, the GTC maintains strong relationships with the unions in Gaza. Moreover, the unions are considered effective partners in upgrading the quality of training through sharing new training schemes and internships.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall, projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 81 million. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance .
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 240 2659
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0267
Sami Mshasha
Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 216 8295
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0724
Milina Shahin
Public Information Officer – Gaza Field Office
Mobile:
+972 599 609 485
Office:
+972 8 2887213
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Assistance, Education and culture, Gaza Strip
Publication Date: 13/05/2016