This programme is unique as in addition to providing higher education opportunities to individual students it also creates long-term partnerships between universities in the Palestinian territories and the UK. Historically UK universities have had strong links with Palestine and this scheme offers an excellent opportunity build on these and to enrich both regions’ teaching and research functions.

It is hoped that HESPAL will help to create the next generation of academics equipped to provide international quality standards in Palestinian higher education.  Despite the difficult operating environment in the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinian universities have been able to sustain many quality academic programmes but academics lack the opportunities for further training in order to develop the capacity of their institutions.

The individuals spending time in the UK are Palestinian academics who will return to teaching posts in the West Bank and Gaza after their time in the UK in order to transfer their learning and experiences to their peers and improve the quality of teaching offered to Palestinian students.

Welcoming the first year’s scholars to the UK, the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, said:

“I would like to congratulate the ten Palestinian academics who have been awarded scholarships to study in the UK this year. I know that many in the UK higher education sector are enthusiastic about the start of the Higher Education Scholarships for Palestine scheme and that the arrival of the scholars has been eagerly anticipated. A lot of hard work has gone into making this scheme a reality and I hope this is the beginning of a long-term relationship between the students and their host institutions in the UK.”

The Minister has agreed that the Department for Business Innovation and Skills will put an additional £30,000 into HESPAL as a one-off contribution.

City University, Kings College London, the London School of Economics, Oxford Brookes, the School of Oriental and African Studies and the Universities of Essex, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle and Sussex have all agreed to provide one scholarship for the next four years. Generous private funding from the Consolidated Contractors Company, the Pears Foundation, The Arab Palestinian Investment Company, the Bank of Palestine and Sir Trevor Chinn will cover the scholars’ travel and living costs.

Sandra Hamrouni, Director of the British Council in Palestine said, ”Thirty students go to the UK every year benefiting from different scholarship programmes run by the Council. I hope that this new programme will help in providing Palestinian universities with a new generation of excellent academics who will contribute to developing education in Palestine and to improving relations among higher education institutions in both Palestine and UK.”

World Computer Exchange is a non-profit organisation that dedicates itself to expanding access to higher education to some of the world’s poorest countries. President Timothy Anderson said:  “We’re trying to go into developing countries that [the university] might not have a lot of students in now.”

The organisation was founded in 2009 and currently has 500 students in 100 countries around the world. According to Mr. Anderson, the next targets for the organisation are Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Liberia and Palestine. Quite a list and one that clearly demonstrates their aim to help some of the world’s most disadvantaged students.

The plan involves setting up communication centres with twenty internet-accessible computers at each location. They also hope to work with local universities to allow students to use their facilities.

Tied to organisations in seventy-one countries, World Computer Exchange sees the University of the People as a natural progression of what they want to achieve. “This is exactly why we’ve been working with these computers, planting them like Johnny Appleseed, all over the world,” said Mr. Anderson. Adding, “this is a great way to get to university level”.

Under the programme, dubbed HESPAL (Higher Education Scholarships for Palestine), up to 10 academics each year will be sponsored for a years study in the UK. Universities such as City, Essex, Kings College London, Exeter, Manchester, London School of Economics, Newcastle, School of Oriental and African Studies, Sussex and Oxford Brookes have pledged to offer one scholarship per year for the next four years.

Palestinian academics will be able to study areas such as finance, business, IT, chemistry, agriculture, water management, international development, physics, education and law.

Amongst those supporting the scheme is David Lammy, UK minister for Higher Education, who said:

“In countries all over the world, the link between a burgeoning HE sector and a thriving economy is clear. Through training the next generation of academic leaders, HESPAL will make a real difference to local communities in Palestine, benefit the academic community and the wider society and re-energise the economy.”

Antoine Mattar, a key fundraiser for the scheme and Chair of the Palestine Britain Business Council commented:

“The Palestine Britain Business Council views this initiative as a milestone in the development of higher education in Palestine, which will enhance the skills, expertise and knowledge needed for all disciplines in the socio-economic environment of the communities.”