ICP – Message from Director

The Institute for Community Partnership (ICP) at Bethlehem University was founded in 1989 (originally named Business Development Center) as one of the community-service extension units of Bethlehem University. The Institute is an integral semi-autonomous unit of the University that undertakes the responsibility of strengthening the ties between Bethlehem University and the Palestinian community. It seeks to enrich and develop the entire Palestinian community through the identification of emerging developmental needs and responding to them through different service programs.

The Institute for Community Partnership’s unique approach balances theoretical knowledge with practical experience and applied research in a multidisciplinary setting. This applied research combined with local technical assistance, consulting, and organizational development support services, provided through the Institute for Community Partnership and its centers, enhances the training component of the delivery process at ICP. All three activities are essential to enable the ICP to be the center of excellence in providing diversified professional services.

In the last few years, ICP has grown significantly in size, creating several centers of excellence to ensure projects are mainstreamed into permanent programs with clear goals and objectives. Those centers include the Continuing Education Center (CEC), the Fair Trade Development Center (FTDC), the Media Education Center (MEC), and the LaSalle Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (LCEI). Those centers are shaped up and built-upon in order to serve as incubators for further complementary projects.

Whilist ICP is currently running 7 programs with a staff capacity of 15, it  is heading  for more growth and extension of its services to cover more sectors in the Palestinian community.