On Wednesday, February 27, 2019, The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy and Al Quds Open University (QOU) signed an agreement to establish an Information Technology Support Network in the field of innovation and patents.

The agreement was signed by HE Minister Abeer Odeh, and by Prof. Younes Amr, President of QOU.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a Network of Information Technology Support Centers and promote innovation in Palestine through increasing access to knowledge, technology and science, and providing assistance to Research-based Innovation institutions, developing and preserving their heritage, and developing knowledge in Industrial property in general and patents in particular.

The Minister pointed out that the network aims to ensure technological development of business projects and the results of research development, provide services in the field of network and bibliographic and statistical research, patentability and validity and other areas related to intellectual property, creativity and excellence.

During the signing ceremony, Ms. Odeh also stressed the importance of establishing the Network to encourage creativity and strengthen the foundations of innovation in Palestine through accessing technical and scientific skills, helping innovative research bodies and advanced knowledge in intellectual property rights.

To this, Prof.  Amr mentioned that the University operates throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and can make big cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy in this area depending on technology.

Prof. Amr also pointed out that the technology sector provides jobs for our people and explained that QOU works to enhance the culture of scientific research.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of National Economy in Ramallah and was attended by, Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. Samir Najdi, Vice President for Administrative Affairs Dr. Marwan Darwish, Dean of the Faculty of Administrative and Economic Sciences Dr. Yousef Abu Fara, and the Director of Internal Relations at the University Mr. Awad Mashal.