Center for Continuing Education, Palestine For Development Celebrates Students Innovations

Students from eight Palestinian universities showcased on June 4, 2016 more than 20 innovations accomplished through the “My Project Starts with an Idea” Initiative, organized by Najjad Zeenni IT Center of Excellence/ Birzeit University’s Center for Continuing Education and Palestine for Development Foundation (PsDF).

Started in 2014, “My Project Starts with an Idea” provided university students with direct and personalized guidance from experts to kickstart concepts and turn them into reality.

The project was held in partnership with Birzeit University, Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie, Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, Al-Najah University, Al-Quds Open University, Palestine Ahliya University and the Arab American University of Jenin.

At the exhibit, Vice President for Planning and Development Mirvat Bulbul talked about Birzeit University’s commitment to support innovation and young entrepreneurs. “We strive to support and honor young innovators and entrepreneurs, which serve to enhance a growing culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Bulbul said that Birzeit’s efforts are not only limited to supporting faculty, employees and students in knowledge creation, but building partnerships to disseminate that knowledge for the public good.  

Director of the Center for Continuing Education Marwan Tarazi stated that the center’s mission is “to help bring creative projects to life.”

“We measure our success by how well we achieve that mission,” he said.

Tarazi pointed out that since the launch of the program in 2014, 470 projects were submitted from Palestine’s eight universities but only 25 selected to participate.

“Top innovators have been recruited into this highly-competitive program from across the country,” Tarazi said.

Director General of Palestine for Development Foundation Jamal Haddad said that his organization seeks to refine the professional and managerial skills of university students. “We acknowledge the importance of developing Palestinian youth and equipping them with the necessary skills to be competitive in the job market.”

Haddad affirmed the significant contribution that small and medium enterprises generated by young innovators can push the economic development process forward. “Investing in younger generations to strengthen their skills and capacities will eventually generate a self-reliant Palestinian economy and entrepreneurship culture that is able to create and develop innovative, competitive and creative communities in Palestine.”

The Palestine for Development Foundation (PsDF) is a national non-profit organization, founded by the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) in 2014 as part of its corporate social responsibility policy.