Dutch-Palestinian academic cooperation programme to increase water security in Palestine

As part of the first Dutch-Palestinian cooperation forum, 5 Dutch and 5 Palestinian universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an academic cooperation programme on joint education, research and training to improve the capacity in the Palestinian water sector.

2013.12.17 PLIn his opening speech Dutch Prime Minister Rutte mentioned the academic water programme as an example of the kind of cooperation his government seeks with Palestine. »It is not only about money. The Dutch government firmly believes that prosperity, peace and security all feed into one another. The stronger the economy, the more people have the prospect of a successful future, for themselves and their children. And the bigger the chance of a peaceful solution to the serious problems which, sadly, the Palestinian people still face«, said Rutte.

Over a four-year period (2014-2017), the universities will carry out activities in applied research/product development, education and professional training. The programme aims at finding, testing, improving and developing innovative solutions to increase water availability, sanitation services and food security in Palestine.

The ten universities participating in the programme are:
● Maastricht School of Management (programme lead), Maastricht
● Al Quds University, Jeruzalem
● An Najah University, Nablus
● Birzeit University, Birzeit
● Palestinian Polytechnic University, Hebron
● Palestinian Technical University Kadoorie, Tulkarm
● Universiteit Twente, Enschede
● Wageningen University UR, Wageningen
● UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft
● Technische Universiteit Delft, Delft


» Press release Netherlands Representative Office (NRO), Palestinian Territories