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A joint working team from Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and UNESCO convened at the University to discuss mechanisms for implementing the project titled "Promoting Vocational and Technical Education and Enhancing Students' Economic Empowerment." The project is funded by UNESCO and aims at strengthening vocational education pathways and improve young people's economic opportunities.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Hussein Shanak, President of Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie; Sereen Maslah, UNESCO Project Coordinator; Eng. Jihad Dreidi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Measurement, Evaluation, and Examinations at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; Mar'i Al-Sous, Director of Education in Tulkarm; in addition to several PTUK assistants and representatives from the partner institutions.
Participants reviewed the project's concept, objectives, areas of intervention, and target groups. They also examined the implementation roles of the various partners and explored mechanisms to ensure the project's long-term and sustainable impact on the vocational and technical education sector.
Prof. Hussein Shanak emphasized that Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie's commitment to vocational and technical education stems from its national and academic mission to strengthen the status of this educational pathway as a driver of economic and social development. He noted that the University continues to develop its academic programs and partnerships in line with the needs of the Palestinian labor market.
He added that the project represents a model of integration between academic institutions, government ministries, and international organizations. It contributes to empowering students by equipping them with practical and life skills that enhance their employability and encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives.
For his part, Eng. Jihad Dreidi stressed that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education places increasing importance on vocational and technical education within its strategic plans, considering it one of the primary pathways for preparing qualified professionals capable of meeting the needs of the national economy.
Eng. Dreidi noted that the project aligns with national efforts to strengthen awareness of vocational education among students and their families while providing high-quality training opportunities that contribute to the development of young people's practical and life skills.
Meanwhile, Sereen Maslah, UNESCO's Project Coordinator, explained that the initiative forms part of UNESCO's broader efforts to expand access to vocational education and training opportunities for Palestinian youth and enable them to acquire the skills necessary for active participation in economic and community development.
She added that the project focuses on young people and students in both schools and universities through practical interventions designed to build capacities and enhance opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly in areas facing growing economic and social challenges.
In a related context, Mar'i Al-Sous, Director of Education in Tulkarm, affirmed that the Directorate places special emphasis on promoting vocational education among students and guiding them toward fields of study that align with their interests, abilities, and labor market demands, thereby preparing qualified young professionals capable of contributing to economic and social development.
For his part, Dr. Yahya Isteitieh, Project Director at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, explained that the University is implementing the project in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and with support from UNESCO. The initiative has a total budget of USD 150,000 and will be implemented over a period of one year.
Dr. Isteitieh noted that one component of the project targets 100 tenth-grade students from the governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm through a 40-hour training program covering life skills, digital skills, computer competencies, and communication skills. The project will also establish two vocational education units in Deir Al-Ghusoun and the city of Jenin, with an estimated value of approximately USD 34,000 for each unit.
He further explained that the project also targets graduates and students expected to graduate through specialized training programs in data collection, feasibility studies, entrepreneurial skills, and labor market readiness, thereby enhancing opportunities for employment and self-employment.
Dr. Isteitieh concluded by emphasizing that the project's primary objective is to strengthen the orientation toward vocational and technical education and foster a culture that values skills, productivity, and entrepreneurship, in line with labor market needs and the requirements of sustainable development.
