First International Conference Held in Gaza
H.E Dr. Jamal Al Khodari “The conference is a remarkable event, and a gathering of genuine Palestinian minds which represents elites of the Academia who all agreed to enhance the quality of the higher Palestinian Education”
The first international conference was held over two days at the University College of Applied Sciences with the support of Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures program. Over the two days, a range of scientific debates and discussions on IT took place as part of the vision to enhance the capacity and infrastructure of Universities in Palestine, particularly in the field of Information Technology. The conference, titled “Towards a Developmental Technological Environment” was held over the 24th and 25th of September 2013 and was attended by more than 500 people (including a notable international online presence) among which heads of Gaza universities, community leaders, academic figures, representatives of civil society organizations, prominent researchers and students participated.
Due to its significance, vital contribution and being the first of its kind in the Arab region, the conference was co-sponsored by the Association of Arab Universities and Islamic International Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
Vice Head of Academic Affairs and Head of the First International Conference for Applied Sciences (ICAS) Ahmad Abdel Aal stated that “The conference aimed at following up the latest developments in the field of applied sciences and motivating researchers to contribute in disseminating research and modern experiences which contributes to developing the applied environment through a regular international conference held at UCAS with international research participation.”
By the end of second of the conference, and after two days of debates, the conference recommended the implementation of comprehensive surveys of graduates of technical and scientific education that identify employment sectors, and to use strategic planning in the academic educational institutions to enable them to cope with internal and external environments. The conference encouraged building programs that enable innovation, critical thinking, and engaging new educational approach like blended learning as well as cooperative learning.
The Conference confirmed the importance of establishing advisory units inside universities to help academics in preparing the electronic modules and providing space for students inside universities to enable them do their homework in modern computer labs as well as empowering the class rooms to be technology based educational environments. The conference confirmed the importance of linking the students with productive organizations at all university levels. The conference confirmed the importance of establishing technologic incubators that encourage scientific research and creative thinking for entrepreneurs.
