Birzeit University

The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) at Birzeit University is a community outreach arm of Birzeit University. Since its establishment in 1991, CCE specialized in the development, testing, and di...ssemination of innovative and localized models and methodologies that generate best possible results in local fragile context. As a community outreach arm of the University, CCE is in direct contact with the various sectors of the society: local, national and regional civil society organizations, as well as the private and public sectors. As such, CCE is in tune with the needs and challenges that need to be addressed. At the same time, and as an arm of the University, CCE has access to the wealth of resources the university has to offer, yet CCE is not bound by the academic structures of the University. This has positioned CCE a dynamic and responsive center constantly engaged in exploration and innovation - able to adapt quickly and respond to the quickly changing landscape on the ground. The mandate of CCE is not limited to the external community. CCE is also engaged in extra and co-curricular programs within the University community that serve to empower students and also link them with the community outside. The B-Hub and MASARI are two such programs currently under-way. Today, the mandate of CCE is becoming critical than ever before. As new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and others are likely to lead unprecedented unemployment, worsening an already grave employment situation, the need for new ways of learning (across the entire educational spectrum), professional development, training and re-training is going to be an absolute essential requirement for youth, professionals and organizations to survive – and hence critical for the wellbeing of the entire society. CCE is placing a significant effort and emphasis on this.