EDUCATION: Project Director for the Electrical Engineering degree in Palestine, Professor Haifa Takruri MBE, meets with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah
EDUCATION: Project Director for the Electrical Engineering degree in Palestine, Professor Haifa Takruri MBE, meets with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah

Leading university launches degree 3,000 miles away

A British university has reinforced its commitment to ensuring access to education is available around the world, after forging a new link with Palestine.

The University of Salford is leading a Euro-Palestinian initiative to create the Middle Eastern state’s first higher degree in Electrical Engineering, set to begin in January 2016.

The Master of Science (MSc) degree will be delivered online, via e-learning and face-to-face at Birzeit University, Palestine Polytechnic University and the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarem.

Building on Salford University’s strong industrial heritage, the programme has been co-created with the Palestine Information Technology Association and Jerusalem District Electricity Company.

Rina Lakhman, project manager at the University of Salford’s School of Computing, Science and Engineering, said a lot of ‘enthusiasm’ had already been shown for the course and looked forward to its official launch next year.

“It’s great to be a part of a team who are developing the first Joint Palestinian MSc in Electrical Engineering,” he said.

“There is so much enthusiasm for the programme from ministries, industry, universities and students.  

“It truly reflects the difference the course will make for the advancement of Palestinian careers in the Telecommunications and Energy sectors.”

EU professors will deliver certain modules to the MSc students, whilst Palestinian professors will visit EU institutions to explore teaching and research methods.

Joining the University of Salford in the multinational project, are the ESTIA Institute of Technology, in France, the Technical University of Cluj Napoca, in Romania, and The University of Ruse, in Bulgaria, in hope of promoting the reform and modernisation of higher education in Palestine.

In the longer term, the scheme also hopes to increase the capacity of higher education institutions in the partner countries and the EU, and to assist them in opening themselves up to society at large and the wider world.

Project Director, Professor Haifa Takruri MBE, said after gaining accreditation of the programme by the Palestinian Higher Education Ministry:  “I am very grateful to the EU commission and the TEMPUS fund for co funding this project.”