ATU to Explore Educational Partnerships with Palestinian Universities

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is set to explore avenues to collaborate with Palestinian universities in Gaza and the West Bank.

The initiative aims to support students in these regions in continuing and expanding their studies, particularly in areas that contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza, including engineering, construction, and water treatment.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, visited ATU’s Sligo campus to discuss opportunities for collaboration in online and flexible learning as well as possible research partnerships.

During her visit, the Ambassador delivered a public address to students and staff of the university. Her address focused on fostering connections between ATU and Palestinian universities to provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome educational challenges in a region affected by conflict.

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Recognising education as a cornerstone of development, ATU is examining ways to offer specialised courses tailored to the immediate needs of Gaza and the West Bank. As one of the leading providers of online and flexible education in Ireland, ATU will explore possibilities to work with Palestinian universities and educators using online platforms to support provision of high-quality education to students facing extremely challenging circumstances.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid said ATU’s online expertise will help students in Gaza to continue their studies: “We have been discussing this for the past few months with our Palestinian universities and they are really welcoming. We’re talking in particular about online learning, which Atlantic Technological University already give a good example of a working platform, an active and successful platform. We want to give this to help our students from Gaza, not to leave Gaza, to give them support for their education through the online platforms.”

“The Palestinian children, adults, and young people, the whole population in Gaza, they passed through a very difficult trauma. The focus on education and the ways of bringing them back to schools or in groups, as if they are in class, would give them hope.”

Proposed areas of focus include engineering and construction, project management, water treatment and environmental management, amongst other subjects, in an aim to help in the future rebuild of Gaza.

ATU President Dr Orla Flynn welcomed the visit from Ambassador Abdalmajid and said it was an opportunity to explore how ATU can assist with third-level education in Palestine.

She said: “This initiative is at an exploratory stage, focusing on how ATU could possibly collaborate with universities in Gaza to support students and lecturers in continuing their studies during exceptionally challenging circumstances. With our experience in delivering remote learning globally, we are examining how we might contribute to helping Palestinian students and educators access education and resources in ways that suit their unique needs.”

The meeting with the Ambassador identified ways in which ATU’s expertise can complement the aspirations of Palestinian universities, particularly in advancing education that contributes to societal and infrastructural reconstruction.