An-Najah University and Sharek Youth Forum signed a memorandum of understanding according to which young graduates will receive training that would prepare them to the work field and reduce unemployment rate in the Palestinian society; the agreement is part of the Career Guidance Program “One Step Forward”.

The memorandum was signed by Professor Jawad Fatayer, An-Najah President Assistant for Graduate Affairs, and Bader Zama’reh, Executive Director of Sharek.

According to the agreement, coordination will be made with the competency development administration to execute a number of special activities at the Alumni Association and provide it with volunteers from Sharek Forum. Through the Competency Council, the University will facilitate Sharek’s mission in executing training courses based on a pre-approved plan by both sides, in addition to forming a joint team that will be responsible for supervision, planning and follow-up.

A number of mechanisms were approved to execute the activities of the graduates through the Alumni Association at the University. Professor Fatayer emphasized the University’s belief in the importance of partnership with the different local institutions in order to provide the graduates with the bets employment environment through which they would sharpen their skills and expand their experience.

Furthermore, he pointed out the importance of change in education and the adoption of new visions such as competency-based education so that graduates will be able to rise to the challenge and excel on all local, regional and international levels.

Zama’reh emphasized the importance of making use of the University’s experience in the field of competency development and said that according to the agreement, Sharek Forum will work jointly with the different institutions in the private and public sectors to execute programs that would meet the needs of the graduates.