The founder Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab American University in Palestine, Dr. Yousef Asfour, the Director General of ALECSO, Professor Dr. Mohammad Wild Omar, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Chairman of the Executive Council of ISESCO, Dr. Dawwas Dawwas, signed a partnership agreement to unify and enhance digital transformation efforts in Arab universities. This is intended to be a unique opportunity to accelerate the pace of digital transformation in Arab universities and place them in a pioneering position in the field of digital education at the regional and global levels.
This came on the margins of the activities of the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Forum for Business and Partnerships, which the organization held in its first edition in Tunisia. The State of Palestine participated in the presence of various academic and scientific Arab institutions and universities.
The participating delegation of the State of Palestine included the President of the Arab American University, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, Professor Dr. Ali Zedan Abu Zuhri, founder Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab American University Dr. Yousef Asfour. The delegation also included the Academic Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Arab American University Prof. Waleed Deeb, the Vice President of the Arab American University for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Dr. Bara Asfour, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, members of the University’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Dawwas Dawwas, and the Acting Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, Mohammad Sawafta and Mr. Anan Al-Deek, Director of the Arab American University Offices in the Palestinian Occupied Territory.
The forum activities were attended by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Tunisia, Hayel Al Fahum, and the Embassy advisor Mahmoud Hussein Abbas.
The Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab American University, Dr. Yousef Asfour, stressed that the University is keen to work and cooperate with various Arab and international institutions within the framework of exchanging experiences and practices, indicating the importance of enhancing Palestine’s presence on the global scientific map. Dr. Asfour stated “I am proud of what the Arab American University has achieved as a process of development in terms of the quality of programs, institutional development and the specializations it offers in order to serve Palestinian students.” Dr. Asfour stressed that AAUP is continuing on the path of digital transformation through the development of digital programs and keeping pace with global developments in this field pointing out that in this project the University will seek to exchange experiences and practices with Various Arab universities.
For his part, the academic advisor to the Board of Directors of the Arab American University, Professor Dr. Waleed Deeb, thanked “ALECSO” and the Palestinian National Committee for their valuable efforts in supporting Arab education and culture. Prof. Deeb pointed out that the AAUP was established as the first private university in Palestine, and from the beginning, its goal has been to provide High-quality education in line with the requirements of the future. Based on the University’s full awareness of the importance of digital transformation in educational and non-educational institutions, it has held the first national conference in Palestine under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas “Abu Mazen”, with regional and international participation. This national conference discussed important topics in the field of digital transformation where local and international experiences in this field were presented. One of the most important outcomes of this conference was the establishment of the “National Center for Digital Transformation” at the Arab American University.
Professor Dr. Deeb explained that this agreement aims to establish a “framework for digital transformation in Arab universities”, and this represents an important step towards placing Arab universities in a pioneering position in the field of digital education at the regional and global level. He also pointed out that this project aspires to unify and enhance digital transformation efforts within Arab universities and its basic essence is to establish a standard framework for digital transformation applied efficiently in various Arab universities which contributes to the renewal of educational, research and administrative structures. It also enhances the universities’ ability to adapt to global developments in the higher education sector with an emphasis on benefiting from Arab and international expertise. Prof. Deeb added: “We, at the Arab American University, are pleased to cooperate with Arab universities to implement the digital transformation project based on the framework that will be developed within the partnership agreement signed today and within the needs of the universities.”
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and Chairman of the Executive Council of ISESCO, Dr. Dawwas Dawwas, said, “Despite the challenges facing Palestine, it is keen to participate in the activities of the important and huge forum through the Arab American University, which has taken A decision to interact and respond to this Arab initiative and to participate on behalf of the State of Palestine, so that AAUP will be present among the various institutions of higher education and Arab scientific research.”
Dr. Dawwas praised the path of the Arab American University and its Board of Directors, which carried a story of challenge and success in light of the challenges and circumstances it has faced since its inception, as it paved its way with stability and development among institutions of higher education as the first private university in Palestine, investing Palestinian capital to contribute to investment and development in the education sector. This is considered a model of national and societal responsibility towards the Palestinian people and their cause. He stressed the importance of Palestine’s presence in this Arab scientific forum, which contributes to breaking the academic siege that the occupation authorities are trying to impose on higher education institutions in Palestine, calling for more partnerships and cooperation between Arab institutions and Palestinian universities.
For his part, the Director General of ALECSO, Professor Dr. Mohamed Wild Omar, said, “The Partnerships Forum represents a milestone in the history of joint Arab work, as it places an important point in establishing a future vision that serves the issues of education, culture, and learning in our Arab world, achieves the goals of sustainable development, and enhances development and permanent partnership.” Dr. Dawwas extended his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by its wise leadership, for the good initiative in launching this forum as an idea and a goal to deepen joint Arab action. He also pointed out that Palestine faces continuous aggression by the brutal Israeli war machine that targets children, women, and the elderly. Dr. Dawwas added: “We beseech Allah the Almighty to have mercy upon martyrs, heal the wounded people, and lift injustice, oppression, and tyranny off occupied Palestine.”
The ALECSO Forum for Business and Partnerships, which was held for the first time in the history of the ALECSO since its founding 54 years ago, and is considered the first of its kind in the work of similar regional and international organizations, witnessed unprecedented numbers of partnerships signed amounted to 59 times the forum’s budget, while the returns of the signed partnerships exceeded 5,984% of the Forum’s budget, and the total value of the partnerships signed is $7,686 million, constituting 84% of the organization’s annual budget. This Forum constitutes a qualitative work model and is based on concluding partnerships according to specific projects with time frames, clear goals, and executable, measurable outputs, which constituted a prominent factor in attracting partnerships.
