Innovation-oriented management of knowledge at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has become a critical issue to respond to the global challenges of increasing employment opportunities and socio-economic development. Within this aim, enhancing cooperation between university and industry is high on the agenda of policy-makers and HEIs around the globe.
The situation is particularly demanding in Palestine, where the specific local and political conditions have a direct impact on the difficulties regarding employment and economic development.
STEP identifies a clear need for action in Palestine to boost the process for entrepreneurship opportunities towards economic development and employability. With the goal of improving conditions for quality growth and jobs, the project will stimulate the university-enterprise cooperation culture in Palestine, by promoting good practice for setting internal-interfaces in universities, creation of capacities in human resources, promoting coherent information and communication strategies amongst the universities' communities and within the local business environment. It will also provide necessary strategic input for the creation of long-term partnerships and collaborative research with enterprises.