Preparations Underway for the Masters Program in International Cooperation and Development

The first preparatory meeting for the Consultative Board of the M.A. Program in International Cooperation and Development took place in Bethlehem University on Tuesday, 15 March. Eleven partner organizations attended: the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Italian Cooperation, Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC), Union of Agricultural Workers Committee (UAWC); the Applied Research Institute, Jerusalem (ARIJ); CARE International, and An-Najah University.

Bethlehem University will start the new M.A. Program, under the faculty of Business Administration, in cooperation with the University of Pavia, Italy; the Radboud University of Nijmegen, Holland; and University College Dublin, Ireland. The M.A. Program is scheduled for practical implementation as of 1 November 2005, pending accreditation by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The consultative meeting discussed mechanisms for coordination with the European Union and donor institutions, and the decision was taken to establish a subcommittee that will address academic issues. Moreover the Consultative Board discussed academic, logistical, and financial matters.