STEP - Field Monitoring Visit - National Erasmus+ Office

A Field Monitoring Visit for STEP Project (Strengthening University-Enterprise Linkages in Palestine) at An-Najah National University grant-holder of the project, has been carried out on 9th June 2015.

Attendances:

Prof. Maher Natsheh / Acting President of An-Najah National University

Dr.Nedal Jayousi / Palestine Erasmus+  Office Director

Dr .Imad Ibrik / ANU EU Projects Coordinator

Dr.Yahya Saleh/ An-Najah University’s Innovation and Partnership Center - Director

Dr.Ayman Sultan / PPU Innovation and Technology Transfer Center

Dr.Hani Qosa / Assistant of Vice President for Planning and External Relations - University College of Applied Sciences - Skype

Eng .Khaled Barham / Korean Palestinian IT Institute of Excellence - ANU

Mr.Rasheed Kukhon / Department of finance Director - ANU

Eng.Fadia Hashaika / EU-Projects Coordinator Assistance - ANU

The visit has been undertaken by National Erasmus+ Palestine Representative, Dr. Nedal Jayousi.

STEP Project aims to contribute to the socio-economic development in Palestine by strengthening linkages between universities and enterprises in terms of cooperation and partnerships.

The visit mainly aimed at looking at the outputs and achievements of the operational objectives of the project to‐date, and at drawing out the reality of the project environment regarding how it is being implemented.

The visit started at 11: 00 and ended at 13: 30, Dr.Imad Ibrik, the coordinator of the STEP project talked briefly about the progress of the project, the deliverables that were achieved, partners’ main roles, the work packages at hand, and their progress and the challenges that faces the project , where he showed that the work is going on properly and almost all of the project deliverables have already been satisfyingly completed.

Dr. Imad Ibrik also discussed the sustainability of the project on the long run and suggested several ideas for the project evolvement .

Dr. Imad Ibrik has submitted a request for extension of the project for one extra year based on several reasons , the most important that the participation of Partners from the Gaza Strip were limited in the international trainings conducted through project period.

Erasmus+ representatives  and  Project Coordinator also discussed and commented on the project progress, the upcoming events, the challenges suggestions for overcoming them, and last the impact of the project. They also gave several recommendations to increase the academia and enterprises level of awareness and involvement in the project.

A Skype meeting Dr .Hani Qosa - Assistant of Vice President for Planning and External Relations - University College of Applied Sciences - and UCAS STEP Project Coordinator ,who presented  , the main activities of the Center of Innovation and Business Development in University college of Applied Science (UCIBD) , he also expressed the unfortunately at the inability of the partners of the Gaza Strip to participate in last international trainings, he also explained that the recent wars in the Gaza Strip clearly affected the economic and labor market in Gaza, he also  welcomed the Project Coordinator idea of extension of the project period to allow for the participation in other future training especially that the movement now become easier than before (from - to) Gaza Strip .

Dr .Yahya Saleh , an-Najah University’s Innovation and Partnership Center - Director , also presented the main activities of the Center and the impact of the center in changing the university view in the relationship with the private sector.

Dr.Ayman Sultan / PPU Innovation and Technology Transfer Center Director also presented the main activities of the Center and the impact of the center in changing the university to a leadership university and in changing the strategic plan in the university.

Mr.Rasheed Al-Kukhon / Department of finance Director - ANU , talked about the importance of STEP project especially to the financial department , in familiarizing and equipping the staff in knowledge related to the fundraising of research and innovation activities and more.

Eng .Khaled Barham / Korean Palestinian IT Institute of Excellence - ANU ,also talked about the importance of the center in the communication with the private center through conducting many projects that are beneficial to both the university and the students and the private sector , and he mentioned the importance of the trainings conducted through STEP project period in changing the view of the center in the relation with enterprises  . 

Through the meeting with ANU acting president, Prof. Maher Natsheh. The meeting was brief and concentrated on increasing ANU participation in EU projects and the support of National Erasmus+ Office.

Professor Maher Natsheh, gave an overview of the University, highlighting the importance of European Union Projects within An-Najah, especially the Erasmus Mundus and Tempus Programmes.

Dr. Nidal Al-Jayousi, Erasmus Projects Coordinator in Palestine, expressed his readiness to provide support for the Erasmus+ Programme. He stated he would do this through raising awareness within the University workforce of the importance of the programme and how to present successful project proposals.

Dr. Nidal Al-Jayousi also thanked the Project Coordinator for Project success ,and the active communication with partners , the satisfaction from the all ,the great achievements of the project , he also expressed his happiness for the impact of the project in changing the internal strategies in the partners university, the desire of all partners to the extension of the project , he recommended to extend the duration of the project and that he will provide all support needed . 

Agenda:

step_monitoring_-_9_june_-_agenda

Presentation: