Arab American University represented by Prof. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri- the University President, and the Anti-Corruption Commission represented by Mr. Ra’id Radwan- the Head of the Commission signed a joint collaboration agreement that also included a continuous in providing and teaching anti-corruption courses.
The signing event took place in AAUP- Ramallah Campus where Dr. Yousef Asfour- the Chairman of the Board of Directors and other representatives of both organizations witnessed the event.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Yousef Asfour and Prof. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri- the University President while honoring the Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Ra’id Radwa.
Mr. Ra’id Radwan said that the Commission is seeking to enhance the collaboration with the different colleges and universities in Palestine to instill the values of integrity and transparency in students. He mentioned that this MoU reflects the interests of the commission in inserting university students in the anti-corruption system and raise their awareness in the risks of corruption in order to prevent them from doing any wrong actions during their practical and professional lives. This corresponds with the policy of the commission and its absolute belief in the importance of the academic sector as a main partner.
Mr. Radwan indicated that since 2017, the commission was able to start two academic courses related to the anti-corruption field, and that this was under collaboration with Palestinian universities; the first course entitled “Anti-Corruption, Challenges and Solutions” is available for all university students, while the second entitled “Corruption Crimes in the Palestinian Legislations” is only for Law students. Moreover, many activities and contests were implemented in universities. Mr. Radwan also stressed that gradation projects should be directed to honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability and governance.
Mr. Radwan showed the readiness of the Commission to discuss all the suggestions that might help in enhancing and empowering students in the integrity and transparency cases. He also clarified that they look forward to organizing more and more of the combined activities that focus on raising awareness and knowledge of corruption between students.
Prof. Ali Abu Zuhri- the University President expressed his happiness to collaborate with the Anti-corruption Commission and emphasized on the importance of the team work to fight corruption. He said that the university’s role is not limited to the education only, but also includes the preparation of new Palestinian generations who will be able to lead the future.
Moreover, Prof. Abu Zuhri said that the two courses are really a success and students tend to register in them, especially that these course contain field visits, workshops, training courses and contests to empower students in this field in the best possible way. He said that the commission keen to keep those courses in the schedule and develop them as well.
Both parties agreed to keep the courses in the schedules of Arab American University, to encourage the joint scientific research and support the faculty members to conduct researches in anti-corruption and integrity cases, to encourage students to prepare their graduation projects in the field and honor the best and distinguish papers, and to continue the collaboration relations and organize some programs and activities such as academic scientific conferences, workshops, symposiums and meetings, etc.
Ms. Rula Kababji – the Director of the Policy Department in the General Administration of Planning and Policies said that the number of students who studied the course was over 11 thousand students including MA students in Arab American University.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Yousef Asfour and Prof. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri honored the Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Ra’id Radwa on the occasion of AAUP’s 20th anniversary.
