Birzeit University Celebrates Graduation of the First Class in the Specialised Professional Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills
As a component of the Ministry of Justice Staff Capacity Building initiative, this event is part of the Advanced Public Administration for Civil Servants programme. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the graduation ceremony was held in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
In the opening ceremony, Dr. Khalil Hindi, President of Birzeit University, stressed that the certificate of the Specialised Professional Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills should be adopted “as an appraisal and promotion mechanism by the General Personnel Council (GPC).” Having been accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Hindi announced that the Professional Diploma Programme in Administrative Skills would be launched over the upcoming weeks. The programme will target public sector administrative and executive staff. In addition to providing distinctive expertise and services needed to build and consolidate national institutions, Dr. Hindi emphasised that Birzeit University pays special attention to sustaining cooperation with various sectors in the Palestinian society.
Dr. Ali Muhanna, Minister of Justice, commended cooperation between the MoJ and Birzeit University, highlighting that the “University is a primary capacity building resource for the Palestinian people.” Dr. Muhanna also highly appreciated UNDP partnerships and role in supporting the Palestinian people in general, and government sectors in particular.
Dr. Mousa Abu Zeid, GPC Chairman, emphasised the significant partnership with the UNDP and its distinguished role in promoting development of administrative structures in Palestine. Dr. Abu Zeid further stressed that training should be closely connected to civil servants’ functions. In this vein, specialised professional diploma programmes can be integrated as personnel appraisal standards.
Ms. Yasmeen Sharif, UNDP Representative, asserted that this Specialised Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills “is conducive to invigorating development in Palestine. By integrating administrative skills and legal principles, the programme assists in building a strategy that contributes to enhancing and promoting Palestinian institutions.”
Mr. Jamil Salem, IoL Director, explained that the Specialised Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills “comprises two components: Firstly, the IoL-sponsored Specialised Diploma Programme in Legal Skills is designed to qualify, train and build professional capacities of legal advisors to Palestinian agencies to help them provide effective and efficient consultancies. Secondly, the Specialised Diploma Programme in Administrative Skills of the Continuing Education Centre is focuses on middle management capacity building in public administration. Training material derives from participants’ careers, including respective activities, case studies and applied projects.
In relation to official bodies’ vision and approach towards development and capacity building programmes, Mr. Ahmed Abbas, Advisor to the Higher Planning Council at the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MoPAD), addressed the pioneering role of Birzeit University in supporting institutions of the State of Palestine. Mr. Abbas stated that MoPAD “seeks to develop a national strategy on administrative development with a view to produce a high-quality, transparent public sector, which is capable of effective and efficient human resources management and public service delivery.” According to Mr. Abbas, this goal can only be materialised by training programmes like the Specialised Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills. Such endeavours are a major development component of institution building towards materialised statehood.
Dr. Jamal Abu Bakr, Deputy Chairman of the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB), expounded that human resources development is pivotal to sustainable operation of public service bodies and government sectors. Dr. Abu Bakr admitted that the Specialised Diploma Programme in Legal and Administrative Skills “combines both theory and practice.” In this context, “SAACB is committed to an annual internal capacity building plan and supports other PNA agencies to build and develop relevant staff capacities.” Mr. Abu Bakr concluded.
Dr. Fahoum ash Shalabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, announced that the “Ministry will continue to support training initiatives targeting all public sectors, with a particular focus on civil servants. This programme is a real outcome of cooperation between the Ministry and Birzeit University in the context of developing an effective and efficient strategy to promote civil servants’ capacities.”
On behalf of graduates, Mr. Yousef Abdul Samad and Ms. Hiba ar Rimawi expressed thanks and gratitude to Birzeit University, IoL, MoJ, UNDP and trainers for their effective contribution to building and developing trainees’ legal and administrative skills. They asserted that this programme “definitely helps sharpen and improve civil servants’ practical and theoretical skills.”
In conclusion of the ceremony, certificates were distributed to graduates. The event was observed by Dr. Samiya Hulileh, Birzeit University Vice-President for Community Outreach; Dr. Ali Muhanna, Minister of Justice; Advisor Khalil ar Rifa’i, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice; Mr. Jamil Salem, IoL Director; Mr. Marwan at Tarazi, Director of the Continuing Education Centre; and Mr. Maarten Barends, UNDP/PAPP Rule of Law and Access to Justice Programme Manager.
