Center for Continuing Education

The Birzeit University Center for Continuing Education (CCE), is a non-profit, non-sectarian public-service organization, founded in 1991 as one of the community-service extension units of the University. Since its establishment, the CCE has been working on developing human resources and upgrading skills and capacities of professionals through its work with numerous and various organizations in the three sectors: private, public and NGO.

CCE provides technical assistance, training and counseling services to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are involved in the building of a Palestinian civil society as well as offering social and community services to their constituencies. In addition, CCE extends its services to the private business sector to help promote the Palestinian economy. Work within the Center is conducted in harmony with the Center's value system based on respect, accountability, equity, trust, gender sensitivity, public participatation, continuous learning, equality, and tolerance.

CCE brings strong management and innovative programs and organizational development to the community, to fulfill its mission of "striving to enhance the quality of professional performance of Palestinian human resources through programs of research, training, counseling and consultation services, using the available resources efficiently and effectively."

CCE has extensive experience in working in all parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Over 6000 Palestinians, women and men of different ages working in a range of professions have benefited from its various training/educational activities that have addressed the areas of administration and management, counseling and social work, gender, environmental issues, small micro-enterprises, investment and credit, computer skills, language and communication skills, among others.

CCE was instrumental in introducing in the Palestinian higher education the certification for professional training based on practical rather than traditional academic training. Currently, the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education accredits its programs of Professional Diplomas. One of these diplomas is the Professional Diploma in NGO Management, designed specially for NGO managers. Other diplomas include Marketing, Counseling, and Public Management.

CCE is a member of different local and international organizations, including among others the Palestinian Network of Institutional Development (PNID), the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN), and the International Association For Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

For more information, please visit CCE's web site.