<o:p>The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with AMIDEAST organized a conference on higher education in Palestine.  The conference was held at the Palestinian-Korean IT Institute of Excellence of An-Najah National University in the University New Campus.  The conference continued for two days, and discussed several issues pertaining to teaching practices at Palestinian institutions of higher education.  </o:p>

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HE. Ms. Lamis Alami, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah National University, Mr. John Fitzgabon, Director of Palestinian Faculty Development Program in Palestinian Universities, Mr. Thomas Johnson, Director of Education Office at USAID in West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Joseph Glegsberg, Director of Scholarships Networks in the Open Society Institute, attended the opening ceremony of the conference.

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At the beginning of the opening ceremony, Mr. Fitzgabon thanked the attendees and briefed them on the program which aims at reforming the system of Palestinian higher education.  He noted that the project seeks to improve the quality of higher education at Palestinian Universities.  <o:p></o:p>

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In his speech, Prof. Hamdallah said that An-Najah has been reviewing teaching practices to improve academic experiences and excellence that increase the value offered in the areas of academic specializations for many years.  "For us, the prime objective is to enhance student achievement and potentials by improving educational quality and teaching effectiveness and to increase the relevance of education to current needs and future challenges, facing our country in the regional and the global context," he said.<o:p></o:p>

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He also pointed out that An-Najah National University does not only understand the importance of education in today's ever changing world, but it realizes that having interconnectivity with its community which is also crucial.  Consequently, in addition to its large number of faculties and campuses, An-Najah National University is also home to 15 Scientific Centers.  "It is our vision at An-Najah that our investment in education is recognized as an investment in human resource development. Therefore, higher education is the key to human development and a major means of human resource development," he noted.

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Ms. Lamis Alami thanked An-Najah, USAID, PFDP and OSI, and expressed her pleasure to participate in this conference.  In her remarks, she talked about the five-year strategic plan prepared by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The plan focuses on improving the quality of teachers and education. She said that plan meets many challenges as the Ministry is working hard to develop teachers and train them while developing education concepts for a better education. <o:p></o:p>

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Thomas Johnson, in his remarks, briefed the attendees on USAID's work on teaching programs around the world, including Palestine through institutions such as AMIDEAST.  He said that Agency will continue its work and interaction with institutions and universities to develop quality of education.  He pointed out that this program is unique of its kind as it has an interest in developing human skills and education. <o:p></o:p>

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Mr. Joseph Glegsberg thanked An-Najah National University and its cadmic staff, USAID, HE. Minister Alami and AMIDEAST.  He briefed the guests on OSI mission which focuses on issues of democracy and human rights. He said the Institute has been involved in developing Palestinian universities and higher education in Palestine.<o:p></o:p>

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The first day of sessions focused on issues of higher education at Palestinian universities and the professional identity of Palestinian teachers through the studies presented at sessions. The first day was also concluded by a ceremonial dinner to present awards to some professors at Palestinian universities.

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