Finnish Consul visits Birzeit University, discusses collaboration through OLIVE Project

Finnish Consul in the Palestinian Territories Päivi Peltokoski visited Birzeit University on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, and met with the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Talal Shahwan and coordinator of the OLIVE project for Finnish collaboration in Birzeit University Dr. Ahmad Aljanazrah. The two parties discussed means of collaboration and academic and educational development within the OLIVE project.

The meeting was also attended by Nelly Hosari from the Finnish Consulate and Prof. Hille Janhonen-Abruquah, coordinator of the OLIVE project from the University of Helsinki.

The two parties discussed the developments in OLIVE, a project funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that aims to develop education in Palestinian universities. The participating universities in the OLIVE project include Birzeit University, Al-Azhar University, University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. The project consists of digitizing the Practical Education and Educational Leadership courses in the Educational Qualification diploma program.

The Finnish delegation also met with Dean of the Faculty of Education Dr. Refa' Al-Ramahi, head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jehad Alshwaikh and department professors. The two parties discussed the prospects for research cooperation and academic development to be implemented in the Faculty of Education now and in the future, as well as the digitization project.