The academic delegation from University of Southeast Norway recently concluded their visit to Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). The delegation included: Dr. Ingrid Christensen – Director of the project of “Developing and preparing early childhood and basic stage teachers in Palestine and Norway”, Dr. Oyvind Westrom, Dr. Mina Boldermo Eriksen, Dr. Cecily Smyrholm, and researchers Mona Nikolaisen and Mary Ski.
The schedule of the visits included visiting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, where Dr. Ziad Thabet – Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, welcomed the visitors, and praised the role played by the Islamic University and University of Southeast Norway in strengthening early childhood sector in Palestine through all project activities, especially the opening of the Master’s Program in Early Childhood Education, which is the first of its kind in Palestine. Dr. Thabet spoke about the needs of the Ministry of Education and higher education in the field of early childhood, and the need for more support and participation with the Islamic University and the University of Southeast Norway to raise the level of kindergartens in Palestine.
Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Astal, Dean of Faculty of Education at IUG, indicated that the visit comes within the framework of strengthening cooperation in early childhood issues between the Ministry of Education and the Islamic University in aspects of developing plans, strategies, priorities and efficiency needs.
Activities and Lectures
As part of the fruitful activities of their visit to the Islamic University, the Norwegian delegation participated in a variety of activities related to the Faculty of Education. The Norwegian delegation attended a lecture by Professor Dr. Sana Abu Daqqa on Design and Research Methods in Early Childhood Education within the Master’s Program in Early Childhood Education, under the project of developing and preparing early childhood and basic stage teachers in Palestine and Norway.
Dr. Ingrid gave a presentation on the subject of data collection in qualitative research (monitoring and observation methods) in early childhood research, and indicated the importance of this type of data collection method, which considered one of the modern methods, and that there are types of observation methods. She also illustrated the various forms of observation.
A special meeting was held for the research groups in the Norwegian project with the participation of the members of the Norwegian team, and the members of the research teams of the Faculty of Education. The research presentations focused on topics of inclusive education, management and leadership, creative teaching methods in early childhood, and future research plans of each research team.
A Visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children
During the schedule of visits, Dr. Nazmi Al-Masry – Director of Childhood Project at the Islamic University, accompanied the Norwegian delegation on a visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children school, as well as the Kindergarten and the exhibition affiliated with the Society.
They were received by Mr. Naim Kabaja, Director of the Society, who informed them about the Society and its activities, as well as the importance of both school and kindergarten for deaf children noting that the Society seeks to provide full support to these students.
The delegation expressed their happiness with the existence of such important institutions that help students and provide them with all kinds of support in order to integrate them into society.
A visit to Nawa for Culture and Arts Association
The Norwegian delegation visited Nawa for Culture and Arts Association in Deir al-Balah. Ms. Reem Jaber hosted the delegation in the Al-Khidr Library, which is an ancient archaeological place that has been converted into a library for students and mothers to benefit from in reading books and carrying out some activities, such as: drawing and handicrafts.
The Islamic University team toured with the Norwegian delegation in the Hakoura and Al-Bayara Park of Nawa Association, and saw several activities inside the park in which some children and mothers participated.
At the end of the visit, Ms. Reem Jaber spoke about the possibility of cooperation by all means with the Islamic University and the Norwegian team in the success of Childhood Project and the Master’s Program in Childhood Education, especially in the field of scientific research and field studies.
A Visit to Gaza Community Mental Health Program
The Islamic University team and the University of Southeast Norway team visited Gaza Community Mental and Health Program. The two teams were received by Dr. Yasser Abu Jameh – Director of Gaza Program, and Dr. Rawya Hamam – Director of Scientific Research and Training Department. Ways of cooperation between the Islamic University, the University of Southeast Norway and Gaza Community Mental Health Program were discussed, especially with regard to the Master’s Program in Early Childhood Education, which is taught at the Islamic University, and considered one of the activities of the project “Developing and preparing early childhood and basic stage teachers in Palestine and Norway”. This is in addition to enhance the skills of students enrolled in the program, especially with regard to the basic skills of psychological support.
The visit of the Norwegian delegation to the Islamic University ended with conferring the delegation with IUG scarf, as an appreciation gesture for what the University of Southern Norway in general and the team in particular offer to promote the childhood sector in Palestine.