The British Council organized an orientation meeting for 39 academics and 11 students from 11 Palestinian universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip before they travel to the UK to continue their higher education at British universities. Twenty-six will be studying for a master's degree and 13 for a PhD in various fields.
The Palestinian Higher Education Grant Program (HESPAL) aims to create the next generation of senior academics, who can contribute to maintaining international quality standards in Palestinian universities, and develop sustainable relationships between Palestinian and British universities.
The Palestinian Higher Education Grants Program, which has been administered by the British Council for seven years, has benefited 128 Palestinian students from the most prestigious universities in the UK with generous support from several contributors including the United Contractors Company (CCC) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development through Taawon by special grants.
At the meeting, Dr. Jarbawi congratulated the students on their journey to their universities in the UK. She stressed the importance of higher education in developing ideas and scientific research and contributing to the development of the various sectors, in addition to promoting cultural dialogue between educated Palestinian youth and educational institutions.
She added: "Taawon aims to give special importance to the higher education sector in its education program, as one of the cornerstones of the educational process, and which reflects the development of society. This is achieved through programs and projects that are implemented by Taawon in collaboration with the Palestinian universities to encourage academic research and visits to the universities of the world, and to benefit from these visits in order to promote society both intellectually and culturally, and through a fellowship program. "
She thanked the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development for their distinguished partnership with Taawon and for their continued support for the education sector in Palestine.