Al-Istiqlal Center for Strategic Studies, in cooperation with Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), held a workshop entitled "The Role of the Research Centers in developing the Security Sector and the Palestinian Security Institution”, inside the University's campus, on Monday 16th of December 2019.
The workshop was attended by Maj. Gen. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Tirawi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Istiqlal University, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osba, the President of the University, and his deputies, Dr. Bilal Ghanem, the Director of Al-Istiqlal Center for Strategic Studies, and Mr. Adam Step Rikovsky, the Director of the Geneva Center office, besides a number of the Security Sector’s International Donors, representatives of the Security Institution, and some of the Civil Society Organizations.
For his part, HE Maj. Gen. Dr. Al-Tirawi welcomed the attendees, praising the efforts of Al-Istiqlal University Center for Strategic Studies, pointing out the importance of "Security", in the different aspects of life. Also, he stressed the need for security science as a base to have specialized and knowledgeable officers in the Palestinian Security Institution, announcing that the University will open a college for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research to promote the educational and military process. In conjunction, he added: "This institution is for all the Palestinians, and we must positively strive by using different ways, such as knowledge, to resist the occupation", hoping the success for the workshop and the participants.
Furthermore, Mr. Adam Step thanked the administration of the University and the Palestinian Security institution, mentioning that supporting the Palestinian Security Institution must be on the same line of its national strategic goals, to develop the national vision of the state and promote democracy, adding that developing and working with the Security Institution must be within the framework, system and the policies of the international law, and to consider the countries’ environment and national vision.
The workshop focuses on developing the security sector, the policy development procedures, and the mechanism of providing political substantive consultation through the research centers of the Palestinian National Authority.
It is noteworthy to mention that Al-Istiqlal University is interested in implementing the various workshops and specialized courses, to develop the academic and security staff, and graduate highly qualified students with comprehensive knowledge in the security sector and policies. Therefore, Al-Istiqlal Center for Strategic Studies was established to analyze and manage data, and is considered one of the most important centers in Palestine.