Partnerships & Engagement with External Stakeholders Policy

Policy Statement

An-Najah National University (ANNU) is committed to systematically identifying, engaging, and partnering with local stakeholders external to the university—including community organizations, government institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and individual experts.
These partnerships serve as a cornerstone of the university’s mission to advance education, research, innovation, and community service. Through structured collaboration, ANNU contributes to local and national development, strengthens social responsibility, and ensures that academic and community initiatives remain responsive to societal needs.

The University recognizes that proactive engagement with external stakeholders enhances mutual learning, fosters social impact, and strengthens the University’s contribution to sustainable development in Palestine and beyond.

Purpose

This policy establishes a comprehensive framework and set of procedures for identifying, engaging, managing, and evaluating partnerships with external organizations and local stakeholders.
It ensures that collaborations are strategically aligned, mutually beneficial, and sustainably managed. The policy aims to:

• Strengthen the University’s connection with its surrounding community.

• Facilitate knowledge transfer, innovation, and joint problem-solving.

• Ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable participation in all partnership activities.

• Institutionalize mechanisms for mapping, engaging, and maintaining productive relationships with diverse external actors.

Scope

This policy applies to all academic, administrative, and research units of An-Najah National University, as well as staff and faculty members involved in community outreach, partnership development, or project implementation.

It covers all forms of collaboration, including research cooperation, educational exchange, community engagement, capacity-building, policy consultation, and joint initiatives that advance the University’s mission and strategic goals.

Core Principles

1. Mutual Benefit and Shared Value
   All partnerships must generate clear, measurable benefits for both the University and its external partners, promoting long-term cooperation and trust.

2. Alignment with University Mission
   Engagements must align with the University’s mission, vision, and values, reinforcing its academic excellence, research impact, and community contribution.

3. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement
   ANNU is dedicated to inclusively identifying and engaging a wide range of stakeholders, particularly local communities, civil society organizations, government entities, and industry leaders. The University ensures that all voices—especially marginalized or underrepresented groups—are heard and considered in collaborative projects.

4. Transparency and Accountability
   Partnership processes will be transparent, with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. Regular communication, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms will ensure accountability and continued alignment with institutional and community priorities.

5. Risk Management and Ethical Conduct
   All partnerships will undergo a risk assessment to prevent reputational, legal, or ethical risks. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed responsibly to uphold integrity and trust.

6. Autonomy and Independence
   Each partner retains its institutional autonomy. Agreements must not compromise ANNU’s decision-making capacity or academic independence.

7. Sustainability and Capacity Building
   Partnerships will prioritize sustainability—both in outcomes and relationships—through long-term capacity-building, local empowerment, and shared learning processes.

Procedures for Identifying and Engaging Local Stakeholders

1. Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis

2. The University will regularly conduct systematic stakeholder mapping to identify potential partners in government, civil society, the private sector, and the local community.

3. This mapping will assess stakeholders’ relevance, influence, interests, and potential contributions to the University’s strategic priorities.

2. Engagement Planning and Framework

3. ANNU will maintain an Engagement Framework detailing the procedures for outreach, consultation, and partnership development.

4. The framework will guide the initiation, negotiation, formalization, and management of partnerships to ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with institutional goals.

3. Consultation and Co-creation

4. The University will actively consult local stakeholders to understand their needs, priorities, and capacities.

5. Collaborative initiatives will be co-designed based on these consultations, ensuring that projects are context-sensitive, community-driven, and sustainable.

4. Formalization and Governance

5. Partnerships will be formalized through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), agreements, or joint project frameworks that specify objectives, responsibilities, resources, timelines, and evaluation criteria.

6. Oversight will be provided by designated University units to ensure compliance with institutional and legal requirements.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

6. All partnerships will undergo periodic monitoring and evaluation to assess effectiveness, relevance, and impact.

7. Stakeholder feedback will be integral to this process, guiding continuous improvement and strategic adaptation of engagement practices.

8. Outcomes and lessons learned will be documented and disseminated to inform future collaborations.

Commitment to Ongoing Engagement

An-Najah National University reaffirms its institutional responsibility to remain an active, responsive, and reliable partner in advancing the public good. Through this policy, the University establishes clear mechanisms to identify, engage, and collaborate with external stakeholders in ways that enhance community development, knowledge exchange, and sustainable progress across Palestine and the region.