Hosted in Bethlehem University with the Participation of 40 University Presidents from Europe
Convening of the 6th Conference of the PEACE Program
Al-Quds Newspaper
27 February 2005
Bethlehem- from Najib Farraj. Yesterday morning the 6th Assembly of the PEACE Program convened in Bethlehem University. Approximately 40 European university presidents attended, in addition to Dr. Naim Abu Hommos, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Hanna Nasser, Mayor, and Chairman of the Bethlehem University Board of Trustees; and all the presidents of Palestinian universities in the Wes Bank. University presidents from Gaza could not attend the two-day conference scheduled to till Sunday.
Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, welcomed the participants and stated that Bethlehem University is always keen on improving its academic standards for the benefit of students, and then to produce graduates to Palestinian society in the finest and most professional manner. Brother Vincent described the conference as an important step in the development of academic standards in Palestinian universities.
Afterwards Prof. Manuel Hassassian, President of the Steering Committee of the PEACE Program spoke about the capabilities and expertise available in the PEACE Program. He said that the Program is very important to Palestinian universities, students and administrators, because it allows for the exchange of information and expertise with European and American universities. Prof. Hassassian added that the Program was founded in 1991 to improve Palestinian university education, research, quality and professionalism, and to develop the skills of university administrators in Palestinian universities, and to grant M.A. scholarships to students and Ph.D. scholarships to faculty members. He noted the importance of bilateral cooperation in developing the infrastructure of Palestinian universities and proving the needed computers , laboratory equipment, and effecting sustainable development and quality.
Costanza Farina, UNESCO Director, spoke about the importance of education to Palestinians. She said that Palestinians are always seeking good education, and she affirmed UNESCO’s willingness to provide all the capabilities it has, given that the PEACE Program is an important step in this direction. Farina added that the PEACE Program must be given every opportunity to succeed.
Mr. Timothy Rothermel, Special Representative of the UNDP Administrator, affirmed the importance of this conference because it will contribute to the development and encouragement of scientific research in Palestine. He also said that UNDP will provide all its capabilities to Palestinian universities in all field, especially in scientific research and infrastructure.
The last speaker in the morning session was Dr. Naim Abu Hommos, Minister of Education. He thanked all the guests for coming to Palestine. Dr. Abu Hommos spoke about the impediments facing Palestinian education because of Israeli measures such as the checkpoints, the siege, curfews, closure of schools, universities and colleges, arresting students and teachers and shooting. Dr Abu Hommos said that many students were killed and hundreds injured. Now Israeli is building a separation wall on Palestinian land, thus separating Palestinian cities from one another and even separating students from their schools.
The presentation of Dr. Abu Hommos was interrupted with applause. He noted how the Palestinian people are confronting all this hardship with patience, restraint, determination to pursue education, rejection of Israeli policies, and the conviction that education is a basic human right to all people.
Agreement was signed on the side of the conference to establish a high-tech scientific research center in Palestine. West Bank university presidents attended the signing ceremony.
Papers were presented in the first day of the conference. Prof. Manuel Hassassian presented a paper on “The Developmental Priorities of Higher Education in Palestine.” Prof. Annick Souser Wanyer, Vice President of Paris South University, presented the second paper on “University Cooperation as the Tool for Institutional Development in Palestinian Universities.” Louisa Morgantini, Head of the Development Department in the European Parliament, presented the third paper on “The Role of Higher Education in the Development of Palestinian Civic Society.”
