An agreement was recently signed to begin the establishment of an information technology institute funded by the Korean government. The institute, which will be unique in the country and the region, will have the name “An-Najah Information Technology Institute of Excellence”.

Dr. Sameer Abu Eisha, University President Assistant for Planning and Development, was appointed as the head of the committee which will be responsible for implementing the project. He assured that An-Najah had drawn up a complete vision for the project and explained that the institute will be giving training courses and classes in information technology for different ability levels. This will start by spreading the awareness of computers to vocational training and helping to graduate all kinds of professions needed by the market.

The training courses will include the use and development of: computers and software, distance learning, e-commerce, web programming and design, computer information systems, geographical information systems, data bases and computer networks.

The project will be implemented with the help of the Palestinian Ministry of Labor in vocational fields and with the support of both the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) and the Korean Government in co-operation with the university.

The project will cost $1.6 million; this includes the renovation of Arafat Academy, in An-Najah’s new campus, to establish more than twelve computer labs, a lab for personal use, a multi-use hall, a digital and standard library and a cafeteria.

It is expected that the institute will develop special curricula, which will be created by Palestinian and Korean experts. Furthermore, exchange visits between the two sides are planned soon after the launch of the project at the beginning of next year.