Creating a Palestinian University Research Hub

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) seeks proposals that will strengthen partnerships among Palestinian universities in the West Bank to reinforce research and critical thinking as core competencies within Palestinian universities and drive innovation and private sector partnerships within the Palestinian economy. In October 2016, the first-ever U.S.-Palestinian Higher Education Dialogue was held in Washington, D.C., bringing together private sector stakeholders, academic professionals, university officials, and diplomats to discuss the need for new university partnerships, private sector engagement, building research capacity, accreditation and quality control, and encouraging development of critical thinking and employment skills as tools for Palestinian universities to produce first-rate graduates. The U.S.-Palestinian Higher Education Dialogue highlighted the limited research capacity within Palestinian universities in the West Bank to drive projects which encourage innovation and new approaches to problems as ways to facilitate private sector involvement and economic growth. The Dialogue highlighted the need to strengthen joint mechanisms with which educators and students can pool research ideas, share knowledge and expertise, publicize research conducted by Palestinian academics, and conduct collective training and workshops.