Bank of Palestine signed a three-year agreement to support the Industrial School, part of the Arab Orphan Committee in the city of Jerusalem. This contribution stems from the bank’s belief in the importance of supporting educational institutions and less privileged meritorious students in Palestine in general and Jerusalem in particular. The signing ceremony was held at Bank of Palestine’s headquarters in Ramallah, in the presence of Mr. Rushdi Ghalayini, the General Director of Bank of Palestine, Dr. Ahmad Hisham Dajani, the Chairman of the Arab Orphan Committee in Jerusalem, and several heads of departments from Bank of Palestine and the Board of Directors of the Arab Orphan Committee.
Based on this agreement, the administration of the Industrial School will allocate the support provided by the bank to pay the school fees of less privileged meritorious students, in addition to providing scholarships for females to encourage them to enroll in the various specializations offered at the school.
Mr. Ghalayini welcomed the guests and pointed out the importance of supporting education in Palestine, especially vocational education, which is a highly demanded field nowadays. He added that “at a time when unemployment is at its peak amongst university graduates, vocational education graduates are more likely to find employment opportunities.” Ghalayini also added that Bank of Palestine allocates approximately 5% of its annual profits to support projects that fall under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility, and the fields of education, youth and creativity are among its priorities. He also stressed that the bank will continue to support developmental and humanitarian projects as part of its strategy to promote society.
Dr. Dajani pointed out the efforts conducted by the management of the Arab Orphan Committee and its administrative committee in Jerusalem to develop the school as well as the specializations offered, and introduce new ones that are highly in demand within the Jerusalem job market and the Palestinian job market in general. Dajani commended the initiatives conducted by Bank of Palestine to support the Industrial School, which is considered a historic institution in the educational sector and the sector of vocational and technical training in Jerusalem and Palestine.
Since its inception, the Industrial School in Jerusalem has been providing support for Palestinian students aged 15-18 years, and offered them all the necessary human resources and financial assistance to develop their practical and theoretical skills in order to increase their chances for employment within the local market and be able to support their families.
The Arab Orphan Committee was founded in 1965 in Beit Hanina, as a secondary school for vocational and technical education. The school offers students training in various fields including, academic education, mechatronics, electricity, carpentry and furniture making, central heating, computer maintenance and hotel management.