The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU) has arranged a workshop on “Students as partners in higher education governance and quality assurance” within Palestinian Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs) local activities, funded by Erasmus Plus. The workshop targeted faculties deans , academic departments heads, and students' academic supervisors, whose attendance were effective and fruitful.
The workshop was started by Dr. Mustafa Abu Safa, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who presented the first part of the workshop stressing the importance of developing student role as a partner in the educational process and employing modern and innovative educational methods and
techniques that imitate the needs of university students to raise the Palestinian graduates competencies and capabilities in the labor market. Students’ participation is a cornerstone in national and international Higher Education reforms process and strategies. A more active role of students is not only required to shape more student centered learning, but also in higher education governance and quality assurance.The workshop aimed at analyzing some approaches towards student participation in university governance and QA, and their specific national and regional contexts.
Additional pressures for more student participation are also a result of general developments in society and economy, underpinned by technological changes. These changes call for active citizenship and more participatory approaches as well as the need for a proactive, creative and entrepreneurial workforce and reflecting the situation of student participation in Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU) regarding achievements and challenges and the potential for enhancement.
Abu Safa also highlighted the impact of the integration and contribution of university students on their achievements and opportunities for potential reinforcement.
In the same context, Dr. Abu Safa reviewed the latest global developments and trends in higher education concerned enhancing student’s role and enriching his/her experience. Mr. Amjad Al Natsheh, CETL representative, presented the efforts of the CETL team in preparing the base line study of the students' participation in the university through the students engagement questionnaires and meetings with students, and he emphasized the importance of the role of faculty staff in activating and promoting students’ participation in the boards of educational institutions.
As well Dr. Amjad Barham, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, presented in the last part of the workshop the achievements of the University's administration in developing students' confidence in their abilities and activating their role. The student council's requests were developed from providing services to being an active and participatory role with the university administration to find sponsored for these services in order to enrich the students experiences and make it more joyful. This has also directly and significantly affected the nature of the relationship between student councils and university administration which has increased flexibility and reflected positively on students’ commitment to University decisions based on students' understanding of these decisions and its reflection on students.
Public Relations Department
