Palestinian Faculty Development Program (PFDP) Third Quarter FY 2015 Performance Monitoring Report

The program aims to promote the expansion, retention, and professional development of promising academics teaching in the social sciences and humanities, as well as to revitalize and reform teaching at Palestinian higher education institutions. During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2015, PFDP efforts focused on implementing and successfully concluding activities and minor equipment procurements detailed in the no-cost, three-month extension plan approved by USAID. The extension plan authorized a new set of activities at three PFDP-supported Centers for Teaching Excellence (CTEs): CELT—An-Najah National University; CETL—Palestine Polytechnic University; and KCTLI—Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie. An-Najah National University planned to revise/develop its IT/CS curriculum and institute policy reform in the university's relationship with the private sector. The university's e-Learning Center director would work with up to ten faculty members to build their capacity to integrate e-Learning and learner-centered pedagogies in up to ten new pilot courses. Palestine Polytechnic University proposed to continue its master trainer and faculty pedagogical development, conduct faculty workshops and roundtables in assessment practices, and integrate technology as a pedagogical tool. The Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie proposed to complete two remaining training workshops for its master trainers and purchase ten laptops and carrying cases for its trainers. Other new activities approved for the extension period included the establishment of a faculty education association for Palestinian university teachers, a final training-of-trainers (TOT) round for master trainers at the three university centers, a PFDP alumni event and close-out celebration, and a planned activity with the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) to develop a foreign degree registration policy. The PFDP has four specific goals: to promote the expansion, retention, and professional development of promising academics teaching in the social sciences and humanities; to revitalize and reform teaching at Palestinian higher education institutions; to promote an institutional culture of teaching and learning; and to identify and develop future higher education leaders from among PFDP alumni and participants. During the extension period, PFDP activities pertained directly to Program Goals 2 and 3, with the university CTEs implementing curriculum development activities and conducting training activities designed to improve teaching and learning at their respective institutions. Master trainers at the three institutions participated in a final training-of-trainer workshop conducted by U.S.-based consultants to fully institutionalize and sustain local capacity for ongoing faculty training in best practices in teaching and learning. The Best Practices Forum was implemented to serve Program Goals 2 and 3, and efforts to establish the Association of Palestinian Academic Developers (APAD) contributed to the creation of a forum in which faculty professional development can flourish, thereby serving Program Goal 1. The final alumni event showcased individuals whose leadership capabilities have been developed and enhanced through their participation in PFDP activities, addressing Program Goal 4. Results from activities supported in relation to Program Goal 1, Promote the expansion, retention, and professional development of promising academics teaching in the social sciences and humanities, include the completion of a PhD scholar's degree requirements and the reported progress of two other PhD scholars toward their degrees. All expected results under this goal are complete. Results from activities supported in relation to Program Goals 2 and 3, Revitalize and reform teaching at Palestinian higher education institutions and Promote an institutional culture of teaching and learning, include the implementation of the Best Practices Forum, which was held on 10 May at the Mövenpick Hotel in Ramallah. The forum brought together faculty members, administrators, and other stakeholders to share best practices in teaching and learning and to discuss ways to improve the quality of education at Palestinian higher education institutions.