An-Najah National University, represented by Mr. Samer Aqrooq, Coordinator of Center for Students with Special Needs at the University, participated in the conference on  "Right of Education for Students with Special Needs" held at Bethlehem University which was organized early this month.  Mr. Aqrooq presented a work paper on qualification of universities' Staff for purposes of dealing with people with special needs.

Mr. Aqrooq said that the University participated with a delegation of fifteen lecturers from the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Sociology, Community Services Center, and students of the University who have special needs.

Mr. Aqrooq's work paper handled the cause of people with special needs and acquiring their rights which is considered an international cause, that is not confined to one country or one region, but rather a cause for the whole world.  However, the cause varies in terms of rights portion, its manner, its kind, and the level of services to a special group of these people.  He also noted in his paper that the number of these people is continuously increasing in the Palestinian community.

The paper also handled several facts and information on the "the Right of Education" in general and "higher education" in specific such as opening the door to education that will change the reality of this group of people.  This can take place through achieving education and opening knowledge horizons as well as achieving economic independence through opening career horizons and positively contributing in achieving integration in society.

Mr. Aqrooq, in his paper, also handled the role of professors and lecturers, social and academic guidance centers and volunteer students in training programs such as sign language and handling motion disabilities.

The paper came up with a number of recommendations such as: holding workshops in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and the universities to lay down a special directory of students admission system for those with special needs, the contribution of the Ministry of Social Affairs in covering daily expenses of these students, universities' apportionment of five annual scholarships for the top students with special needs, according to certain standards, and the activation of the role of private sector and funding authorities and institutions of concern for the purpose of developing the level of higher education to this group.
By Rana Saleh and Zafer Mohammad