NABLUS, June 25, 2010 (WAFA)- After a successful launch at Gaza city earlier this year the office of the European Union Representative in collaboration with a number of EU Member States continue today the 3rd annual 'Study in Europe' event from Al-Najah University in Nablus.
This one-day event includes presentations from the EU as well as the Italian Cooperation of Jerusalem on studying opportunities in Europe. Through informal and interactive dialogue at the information booths of the EU and the other participating EU Member States (Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) the students are provided with first-hand information on the various graduate and post-graduate programmes available at European Universities as well as scholarships that they can apply to.
At the opening ceremony, on behalf of the Italian Cooperation, Ms Rita Ricci said: 'The financial contribution of the Italian Development Cooperation from 1999 till 2009 is distributed in four main sectors: Social development, Economic growth, Good governance, and Humanitarian assistance.
Within this timeframe, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has allocated over €345 Million, distributed as follows: €220 Million for development initiatives (160 Millions in grants and 60 Million in soft loans) and €125 Million for emergency and humanitarian assistance (80 Million of which as contributions to UNRWA).
Among the above mentioned contributions, the Italian Development Cooperation has regularly allocated funds for granting scholarships to the qualified Palestinian students who are looking forward to complete their higher education within the Italian universities. As in the past, characterized by a strong engagement of the Italian Government in academic cooperation, new scholarships have been allocated for the academic year 2010/2011.'
At his speech the Representative of the Netherlands, Mr Jack Twiss Quarles van Ufford said: 'The Netherlands is the place where for centuries the best minds meet. The Dutch way of teaching reflects our national spirit: knowledge transfer goes hand-in-hand with a huge respect for each individual's opinion, conviction and beliefs.'
From his side, Christian Berger, the European Union Representative, added: 'Hundreds of Palestinian students from Gaza and the West Bank are studying now in European universities and exploring the European culture. We believe that the key for a better future is a well educated generation that can build and make a difference. We are very happy to see that students from Nablus are determined to take up or continue their studies at European Universities.'
At the booth of the European Union Representative the students could receive information on 'Erasmus Mundus' which is a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of higher education that aims to promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through cooperation with third-countries. Since its beginning in 2004 it has given mobility grants to more than 6000 non-European students and 1000 non-European scholars. So far nearly 180 Erasmus Mundus mobility grants were given to Palestinian students and scholars.
Similar events are planned in the coming weeks at a number of universities in the West Bank where EU Member States will participate.
