The Palestinian International Cooperation Agency “PICA” Discusses the prospects for future cooperation with An-Najah National University
On Wednesday, January 23, 2019 A delegation from the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency “PICA” visited An-Najah National University to discuss possible means of mutual cooperation.
Inline with PICA’s framework to invest in the development of Palestinian human resources, PICA taps into Palestinian human resources located in local and international Palestinian institutions,
including academic researchers, students and volunteers, the private sector, NGO community, as well as the Palestinian expatriate community.
The delegation included Diplomats / Program Officers representing the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency “PICA”, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates; Third Secretary / Ms. Shahd Salah, Diplomatic Attaché / Mr. Ameed Abdul Rahim, Diplomatic Attaché /Mr. Essam Qadri.
The delegation held several fruitful consultative meetings; beginning with Prof. Maher Natsheh/Acting President of An-Najah National University, Dr. Shaker S. Bitar/President's Assistant for Community Affairs. In coordination with Mohammed Al-Kobari/Acting Director of Public Relations Department. In addition to executive meetings with Rafe A. Daraghmeh/Director of Career and Alumni Affairs Unit, and Nevin Kalbuneh. Means of cooperation were also discussed with the deans of the faculties of medicine and engineering. Dr. Khalil Issa, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Khaled Al-Sahli, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.
The two parties discussed ways of enhancing development cooperation in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, especially the joint programs that successfully covers various countries in the African continent among others.
Ms. Shahd Salah provided a brief overview about the role of PICA, its mission and vision, scope of work, and the vital role PICA plays in exercising solidarity on international level by implementing bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives. Guided by a vision of solidarity through development, with the aim of promoting South- South Cooperation and realizing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. PICA transfers Palestinian knowhow to countries of the South, in the form of development and technical assistance. Its’ creation is guided by a national responsibility towards the international community and is an expression of gratitude and appreciation for the support given to the State of Palestine, over the years. It Supports the efforts of the Palestinian government, and ensures the core principle of the 2030 Agenda “Leave no one behind”. Finally, Ms. Shahd focused on the importance of this joint cooperation, as it contributes to boosting the University’s development and entrepreneurship role, and the development of Palestinian personnel, equipping them with additional expertise. As part of the work of An-Najah National University is to contribute effectively to advancing scientific research on a global level and to meeting the community’s needs by participating in sustainable economic, technical and human development. An-Najah National University aims at providing its students with academic programmes of high quality and promoting intercultural dialogue and scientific research. An-Najah also provides the Palestinian community with various services with regard to sustainable development.
Mr. Ameed Abdel Rahim talked about the four pillars of the work of the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency on the transfer of knowledge, humanitarian relief work, providing investment opportunities for the Palestinian private sector abroad, and participating in the formulation of development strategies and policies. He also focused on the objectives of cooperation between the Agency and An-Najah National University, through a strategy of cooperation based on the best utilization of the competencies of An-Najah National University and its partners in the different areas of the Agency's work in general and in the field of knowledge transfer in particular.
In his turn, Mr. Essam Qadri reviewed the partnerships held by the Agency with the partners in the public-private sector, which aims to serve the goals of development within the scope of the sustainable development Agenda of 2030. Mr. Essam elaborated more on the important role in promoting the Palestinian identity and creating opportunities and partnerships for the Palestinians to contribute to the various economic, technological and developmental fields within an integrated role led by the Agency nationally and internationally, especially after the State of Palestine assumed presidency of the Group of 77 and China.
On the other side, Prof. Natsheh welcomed the delegation and commended PICA’s role in promoting Palestine with regards to the latest achievements and missions abroad. He stressed the importance of this cooperation that could potentially serve both entities, and expressed the readiness of the University of administrative personnel, academics and graduates to work together to achieve the development goals in the framework of strengthening the Palestinian presence around the world. He also briefed the delegation on An-Najah's achievements, programmes and scientific centers.
Finally, Both parties agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation.