IUG-Industry and Community Liaison Office(IUGIC) organized a symposium on possible means to reinforce collaboration between Palestinian universities and the private sector

IUG-Industry and Community Liaison Center (IUGIC) organized  a symposium on possible means to reinforce collaboration between Palestinian universities and the private sector

The academics and researchers, who participated in the symposium, emphasized  the need for reinforcing  the roles of the universities in the social and economic development of Palestine. They highlighted the importance of establishing links between  universities and the industrial sector so as to exchange expertise and knowledge.  The participants  also encouraged improving the efficiency of human resources and strengthening the relations with the private sector.  

Dr. Nazmi Al-Masri, IUG Vice President for External Relations, Professor Mohammed Shabat, STEP -EU-Tempus Project Director in IUG, and Eng. Ayman Fatiha, EU Representative, attended the opening session along with other specialists, faculty members, and university students.

In his opening speech, Dr.  Al- Masri, said, “IUG is currently in partnership with 130 universities of EU state members. It has also signed 45 agreements with a number of higher education institutions around the world. We expect this number to double through the use of a short-term plan.”

The symposium consisted of four sessions each discussed specific themes.  The first session highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and its role in developing the industrial sector, the role of universities in teaching the necessary entrepreneurship skills to best suit the market, and entrepreneurship’s role in improving the IT sector in the Gaza Strip. The second session discussed the importance of directing the scientific research towards the private sector and the society.

The third session emphasized the role of the universities in spreading knowledge, using technology, and offering remote jobs. The final session looked into the obstacles which hinder communication between the Palestinian government and the private sector, and the ways to overcome them.