The Hisham Hijawi College of Technology at An-Najah National University organized the second conference on the technical and vocational education in Palestine under the patronage of HE. President Mahmood Abbas.

The conference was organized in cooperation with Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Labour, Paltel Group, and German Agency for Technical Cooperation (gtz), Save the Children Foundation, Nablus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, British Council, Vocational and Technical Education League in Palestine and Hisham Hijawi Foundation.

The conference was attended HE. Dr. Sabri Saidam, the President’s Abbas Advisor for Communications, Information Technology and Vocational Education, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, the President of the University, Dr. Jamal Muhesin, the Governor of Nablus, Mr. Zeyad Joyles the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Mr. Nasser Al-Alool, General Secretary of the College, Dr. Ghassan El-Helo, Dean of the Faculty.

In his speech, Prof. Hamdallah said that this year’s conference includes the holding of the first fair for projects from schools and colleges to demonstrate the students’ technical abilities, and to encourage their creativities. He stated the University extends its thanks and appreciation to his Excellency President Abbas for the patronage of this conference as well as his encouragement for the process of knowledge and education in different fields. Prof. Hamdallah urged all, families and individuals in Palestine, to increase their interest in vocational education.

Mr. Alool thanked the researchers participating in the meetings for the development of technical and vocational training in Palestine. He expressed his hope that this conference will come up with recommendations for the development of vocational and technical training in Palestine.
In his remarks, Dr. Salah Zarro from the Ministry of Labor congratulated An-Najah National University and Hisham Hijawi College of Technology for organizing this significant conference in Palestine, especially that it was held in Nablus city whish has a special symbolism for all. He emphasized the great interest of the Ministry of Labour in making use of the University’s role and experience in vocational and technical education and training in Palestine, which contributed in introducing qualified technicians to the local market. “An-Najah University has a special role in scientific research,” he noted.

Other speakers emphasized the importance of vocational and technical education in Palestine and the significant role of An-Najah University and Hisham Hijawi College of Technology in supporting it, focusing on certain points that of importance to the Palestinian society.

Mr. Saidam and Prof. Hamdallah and the other participants participated in the opening of the first Technical Fair, which will be held till the 4^th of May.

The first session of conference was titled “vocational training and education”, and it discussed the importance of establishing a public institution for technical education and training as a national need.  A few papers were presented on this issue.

The second session focused on “human, financial and technological resources and needs.” The participants talked about the human resources of the vocational and technical education and training. They also discussed the issue of autonomous financial support for government vocational schools, the importance of employing the information and telecommunications technology in vocational high schools, the training needs for the teachers in vocational schools, and the hindrances on the implementation of technology curriculum at governmental schools.

The third session discussed many papers on the issues of development of curriculum and programs, appropriateness of outputs for the local markets, partnership between local markets and educational institutions, the reality of vocational awareness and steering in the UNRWA, and the effect of females’ vocational education in Palestine on laboring.

At the end of the conference the following recommendations were issued: the continuation of holding conferences to activate and improve the technical and vocational in Palestine, in which a  third conference is to be held at Hisham Hijawi College in April, 2010; enhancing the partnership with all concerned sectors of technical education to strengthen balance and development to meet the needs to the local and regional Labor market with highly qualified staff; preparation of trained educational staff in the arena of vocational and technical education, with participation of all partners on the uniting of the system and supervision in this arena of education.