Hebron-Ma’an- Palestine Polytechnic University participated as part of a delegation of Palestinian educational institutions in a visit to exchange expertise with Virginia Polytechnic University (Virginia Tech) and a number of colleges (New River and Blue Ridge), educational institutions, vocational schools, vocational training centers and continuing education in the United States, within the framework of the Opportunity for Education and Vocational Training in Technology project implemented by IREX and funded by USAID. The participating delegation from the university administration included the Vice President for Planning and Development (Dr. Ayman Sultan Al-Tamimi) and the Director of the Center for Excellence and Continuing Education – Project Director at the university (Eng. Aref Al-Harbawi), in addition to members of the technical team represented by Dr. Mahmoud Nassar, Eng. Muhammad Tamer Al-Natsheh and Eng. Maryam Tarayrah.
This visit aimed to review international experiences in developing vocational
programs and enhancing the integration of women and people with disabilities in vocational and technical education and training programs, and best practices in career guidance and counseling, employment, self-employment and networking with labor market institutions. The latest laboratories, workshops and training technologies were also reviewed.
During the visit, the delegation held a series of extensive meetings with a number of officials and experts in the fields of vocational and technical education and training. These meetings resulted in formulating ideas and visions to create joint academic and professional programs and develop development projects that contribute to enhancing the system and quality of services provided by vocational and technical education and training institutions in Palestine.
In a related context, the visit program also included a set of lectures and interactive seminars in the field of planning and leadership of vocational and technical education and training institutions and pro
grams, policy-making and strategic planning, and enhancing innovation in developing vocational and training programs by employing the latest administrative and technical concepts and systems, in addition to adapting global experiences to the local context and in line with the needs of the Palestinian labor market.
The visit concluded with a series of meetings at the level of senior management of the institutions, where the Vice President of Palestine Polytechnic University for Planning and Development met with his counterpart for Community Participation Affairs at Virginia Polytechnic University, in addition to meeting with the Director General of the Regional Center for Community Partnership. During the meeting, a set of programs, cooperative agreements, and memoranda of understanding were arranged that will be organized in the near future.
It is worth mentioning that this visit comes in line with the vision of Palestine Polytechnic University, which aims to strengthen its international relations and expan
d the network of academic and professional cooperation on a global level. It is expected to contribute to developing innovative plans and programs that will positively reflect on the vocational and technical education and training system and enhance the ability of graduates to compete in the local and international labor market.
Source: Maan News Agency