History and Achievements of BZU's Center for Continuing Education
1991 - 1993 : Birzeit University established the Continuing Education Department (CED) in 1991 to serve as a training center and community out reach program. This department initially concentrated on computer literacy, and then moved towards designing and implementing training programs in management along with computer literacy in 1993.
During this phase, CED established relationships with local and international institutions focused on and working in Palestine. Examples include UNDP, UNICEF, Save the Children Fund, and ANERA. They also established partnerships with three university networks: European University Continuing Education Network, Learning Resources Network and International Association for Continuing Education. During this period, CED issued over 400 professional certificates for trainees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in computer literacy alone.
– 1993 1995 : Throughout these years, there was an increasing number of training sessions conducted correlating to the growing number of graduates. The Department expressed its mission in developing human resources throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, and began developing long-term programs focused on achieving sustainability with the expectation that these programs would lead to specialized diploma programs in cooperation with international institutions and universities.
Training and Program Tracks
- Certified Public Management Program
- Gender, Environment & Community Health Program
- Training in Journalism, Radio & TV Broadcasting Program
- NGO Capacity Program
- Training of Paraprofessional Working with Traumatized Children
- Regional and Urban Planning Summer Program
- Micro-Industries Development Project
- Small Business Support Project
The Continuing Education Department completed approximately 50 sessions throughout this time concentrated on administrative and technical fields. Additionally, computer related training sessions accounted for almost 30 sessions.
– 1995 1998 : CED continued to provide programs and activities related to its mission concentrated on four sectors of society: private, public, social services, and NGOs. CED focused on delivering its services through various activities ranging from seminars, workshops, short and long-term sessions.
Throughout this period, CED started offering specialized diploma programs, e.g., NGO management and marketing. Parallel was the initiation of counseling and community intervention programs, as well as commercial management.
This period was a productive and rewarding time for the Department and provided us with the foundation to move forward and develop our programs further.
Some of the more significant accomplishments include:
- Entrepreneurship Focused Programs: CED designed a number of initiatives focused on small business owners in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, many with international partners:
- 20 individuals attended a three-month tailored training program at the Maastricht School of Management
- Small business support project which included a training project in business and marketing supported by DAI.
- Development of the Palestinian Micro- and Small Enterprise Development as a result of the success of this initial phase
- Journalism training: the British government sponsored several programs focused on media. These included courses on journalism, radio and television broadcasting.
- Working with ministries: a training needs assessment was prepared for the Ministry of Higher Education and then subsequent funding proposals were prepared.
- Building the capacity of the Palestinian Legislative Council: working with ARD, an American consulting firm, CED delivered training on media and outreach for the PLC's staff.
- Various public entities approached us to provide training on a variety of topics including: teamwork and relationship building; computers, secretarial skills, amongst others.
- A professional development stream for those working in the psychosocial sector commenced with the first program being on the mental health of traumatized children. The individuals who participated not also received a professional diploma but has the added benefit of follow-up and a range of activities to support their work.
- Building on its programs geared towards to social service sector, CED also provided training for community workers of both women's' programs and those for the disabled.
In 1998, CED officially changed its name to the Center for Continuing Education (CCE), working towards "developing human resources and building individual and institutions capacities”.
199 9 – 2001: CCE continued developing its programs focused on the private sector and enterprise development as well as further developing its diploma and certificate programs for the Psycho-Social sector. During this time, CCE also launched the Across Borders program which is focused on
2002 - 2004: During this period, CCE continued to strengthen its presence in various sectors, primarily focused on public sector reform as well as needs assessments of NGOs. Additionally, it developed a specialized diploma program in Information Technology, and implemented "Ventures", a training program for middle school children on starting their own business. CCE also began exploring the usage of e-learning tools and techniques for its training methodology – a new intervention within the West Bank. The Center's work on psychosocial programs continued to develop and expand – making CCE the national address for professional development and training for social workers and school counselors. |
