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Shuaibi: We Demand Transparency and Accountability in Awarding
Scholarships and Grants
Dr. Azmi Shuaibi, AMAN's Commissioner for Combating Corruption who
opened the session, affirmed that grant and scholarship-related
information and data should be made available to students in a way that
promotes credibility and transparency throughout the society and
increases the citizens’ confidence in public institutions. He noted that
this session is intended to realize the goals of AMAN by citing public
administration standards in a way that makes such standards a basis for
holding public officials responsible for their actions before the
public.
“This approach develops a good internal immunity and transparent
self-oversight among public officials. Its impact is far more
influential than any external oversight”. Shuaibi said, as he indicated
that AMAN has established a corruption complaint center. He stated that
this session is meant to provide information on eligibility criteria,
based on which students can obtain scholarships and grants, and to
maintain transparency in dealing with the public and answering their
inquires on this regard. He commended the cooperation efforts that most
officials of the Palestinian National Authority offered to AMAN in this
matter.
Zakaria: Academic Excellence is the Sole Selection Criterion Approved
by the Ministry
Mr. Anwar Zakaria thanked AMAN Coalition for the efforts it exerts to
offer access to scholarship and grant-related information to the public
as he spoke of the types of the local and foreign grants for students of
the current year. Zakaria noted that grants will be given out as the
following: Up to 10 grants for the top students in every governorate,
and a grant for each first student on their governorate; these grants
will cover the whole education process provided students are compliant
by the grant's terms and conditions.
In addition to the one-million-dollar grant given out last year, Zakaria
explained that the government allocates an annual $150,000 for grants in
faculties of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, to urge students to enroll
in these specializations which are most needed. However, he confirmed
that these amounts are not full grants and they are considered as
rewards. He added that many local universities, such as Birzeit and
Al-Quds Universities, offer grants for a variety of specializations
He said that the major criterion of giving out grants by the ministry is
the high school GPA. The ministry is keen on offering students an equal
opportunity where no student gets more than one grant. He added that
while most students compete to obtain grants to study medicine, Arab
universities and other countries offer grants for a variety of
specializations throughout the year.
Related Information Available on the Ministry's Website
Zakaria explained that the ministry provides all related information
and data on its website, and offers those to all local universities to
allow access for the largest number of students. Names of selected
eligible students will be published on the ministry’s website or in
newspapers. Selected students will be received at the the ministry’s
premises.
He said that the ministry places academic excellence as a priority,
while underprivileged groups like poor students and children of martyrs
have other plans that do not fall within the directorate of scholarships
and grants scope of work. As for higher education grants, he explained
that an ad-hoc committee for this matter is available in the ministry.
"Eligible students are not chosen based on personal discretion. Students
are selected based on a set of criteria required by the donating
country, such as student GPA”.
He recommended that specializations must be carefully determined and
adhered to, in order to help the ministry follow through obtaining
grants successfully. He noted that students must have the freedom of
choice away from parental pressure to choose any specialization against
the students’ will.
Complaints are Welcome
Zakaria confirmed that the ministry is willing to receive any
input or information relating to scholarships and grants and consider
any complaints on this regard. He added that grants and scholarships are
equally granted to local students as the Ministry of Education
transparently supervises the process, while PLO’s Directorate of
Education takes care of grants for students living abroad. A supreme
committee set up by the president assumes coordination on this matter.
He explained that grants for medicine specializations for instance are
no less than 40 grants yearly, while number of other specializations is
usually open based on what the donating country decides. Some countries
do not accept any applications unless three scholastic specializations
are specified according to these countries’ priorities, provided that
students adhere to such specializations so that they are not rejected by
these countries.
He said that Jordan for instance, reserves 350 seats in Jordanian
universities for Palestinian students in a variety of specializations,
confirming that Palestinian students are treated as equally as Jordanian
students.
Zakaria
stated that in case scores of competing candidates turn out to be equal,
their scores in scientific disciplines will be compared, and the
candidate with the higher score will be selected. In case of further
parity, the donating country will be asked to secure additional seats
correspondent to the number of these students. In the event of
unavailability of additional seats, the grant will be awarded by drawing
lots. The draw will take place in the presence of students and their
parents in a transparent and integral manner.
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