Bethlehem (Fides Service) -Today, 29 September Bethlehem University inaugurated a new Master’s Degree in International Co-operation and Development with official recognition of the Palestinian Authorities Ministry of Education. This Master’s Degree is already offered in three European universities Cooperation and Development School Pavia (Italy), University College Dublin (Ireland), and Radboud University Nijmegen (Holland). The project proposed by Volunteers International for Development (VIS) is co-funded by the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
Present for the event Apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine Archbishop Pietro Sambi; Fr. Daniel Casey, President of Bethlehem University, Gianni Vaggi director of the Cooperation and Development School in Pavia and other personalities.
The aim of the project, which has the support of a number of local partners and various UN agencies, is to provide a new opportunity for young people in this poverty stricken area as well as strengthen civil society and foster good government in public institutions.
The first group of 26 students, all Palestinians except for one Italian girl, selected from 183 applicants has already enrolled for the two year Master’s Degree at the Faculty of Business Administration. First year subjects include development economy, international relations, social studies. In the second year study will be more technical with project planning and implementation. The study course will be supervised by Scientific Committee and the professors will come from the three European universities mentioned above. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2005 Righe: 23 Parole: 238)