Latest News and Announcements

2 August 2010
Job Vacancy: Administrative Assistant

Tempus is an EU-funded program that supports the modernization of Higher Education in the EU and its neighboring countries.

The National Tempus Office (NTO) that promotes Tempus and Erasmus-Mundus programs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is seeking to recruit an Administrative Assistant at the office with the following requirements:

- Bachelor degree in social science, languages or another discipline relevant to the Tempus Programme.
- Minimum two years of work experience in the Higher Education sector or EU programmes.
- To be familiar with the proposals development.
- Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, and be self-directed as well as proactive and motivated.
- Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel.
- Excellent communication skills and capacity to inspire and motivate
- Excellent social skills, notably rapport-building and ability to foster good relationships with others
- Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English
- Knowledge of French would be an asset.


Job Description:

• Preparing the workshops, training sessions, Information Days, and other events organized by the National Tempus Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

• Contributing to preparing the annual work plan and activity reports of Tempus activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

• Conducting field visits to raise awareness about the Tempus and the Erasmus-Mundus program among Higher Education institutions and research centers.

• Carrying out field monitoring visits for the ongoing Tempus projects in Palestine.

• Assisting the ongoing Tempus projects in their financial management based on the Guidelines for the Use of the Grant.

• Desk help for the potential applicants in proposals writing based on the Call for Proposals instructions.

Place of work: Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in Om-Al-Sharayyet in Ramallah.
Starting work: immediately after selection
Salary: Approximately around 800 Euros per month (according to the work experience).

Interested applicants are invited to submit their CVs with a cover letter expressing their motivation to work on the Tempus Programme to: info@tempus.ps , no later than August 13, 2010, and the short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

18 July 2010
Selection results: Erasmus Mundus Action 2-Partnerships

The results regarding the call for proposal EACEA 29/09 Action 2 Strand 1 has been published (you find it below). For your information, the new call for proposals EACEA 22/10 will be published very soon.

Note to Tempus offices for selection July 2010 (PPT)

27 May 2010
Are you planning to submit a proposal for Tempus programme?
Do you have a scheduled plan for all preparatory actions?

You are invited to review the below slides

15 steps to enter the world of Tempus programme (PPT)
Get an idea about TEMPUS PROGRAM (PPT)

10 May 2010
The European Commission has published a call for proposals which is directed to European Higher Education Institutions which are offering master programmes in European Integration Studies. The aim of this call is to offer to the HEI proposing such master programme scholarships for students from the European neighbourhood countries (Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt) is part of it) and from Russia to enable them to pursue studies in European integration.

You find in the following link the names of the European HEIs with the previous and current Master courses suggested by them.

The list of eligible master courses can be found on this website:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/eis_masters/published_courses/

The European HEIs on the above list have to submit a proposal at the call for proposals (deadline 4 June 2010) with candidates for the scholarships from the European neighbourhood countries including Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Therefore, all Palestinian students are encouraged to apply to one of the master programmes on the list. It is worth mentioning that candidates with the best academic results, and knowledgeable of at least two European languages would have the best chances to be accepted in the College of Europe which is actually one of the main partner universities on the list.

It should be notified that the scholarships are quite generous (up to €24,000 per year - which actually goes to the European HEI which is hosting the student, however most of it will without doubt be redistributed to the students).

30 April 2010
Scholarships in European Studies Masters Courses in EU higher education institutions
Could you please find attached an announcement for Scholarships in European Studies Masters Courses in EU higher education institutions. The suggested fields are: (EU Law, EU Economics, EU Policy, Administration and Governance, EU Integration History, Interdisciplinary EU Integration Studies)"

- FINAL Call Scholarships 04 June 2010  (Doc File)

- Note Jan Pakulski  (PDF File)

30 April 2010
Postponing the Seminar on “How to write proposals for Tempus programme”

Due to logistical reasons, the seminar will be postponed until further notice.

The suggested two full day’s session will target only those who are planning to submit a TEMPUS proposal under the next "4th call for proposal, October 2011".

The session will be conducted by an international expert who has experienced writing TEMPUS proposals through TEMPUS III and IV phases. 

All interested are invited to fill out the attached form and send it to before April 14, 2010. You find attached also informative slides about Tempus programme.

The cost of training will be covered by Tempus office, as well as buffet lunch and coffee breaks will be offered for all participants.

The other information concerning the place and agenda will be sent to the nominees later.

- Suggested Project for Tempus program (Doc File)

- Overview of Tempus program and how to participate (PTT File)

31/12/2009
Training session on “How to write a competitive proposal for Tempus program”
The NTO - Palestine held on December 26-27, 2009 a seminar in Ramallah on “How to write a competitive proposal for Tempus programme. This seminar came as a part of Tempus office’s attempts to raise the qualification and skills level of participants interested in submitting proposal for Tempus program.

The session has been conducted by a local expert who has experienced writing TEMPUS proposals under the TEMPUS III and IV phases.

Around 20 participants from the different Palestinian Higher Education Institutions have attended the seminar. The participants were those who are interested in writing and submitting proposals for Tempus program.

The Tempus office is preparing now for a similar seminar in Gaza strip that will be conducted by an external expert.

The coordinator of Tempus Office, Prof. Daoud Zatari, started the opening session by welcoming the speakers and guests, and with a brief introduction of Tempus program. The next speakers at the opening session were the Assistant Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Fahoum Shalabi who gave an overview of the role of the Ministry to support Tempus office staff and projects.  the latest speech during the opening session was given to Ms. Judith Jophanns from the European Delegation in Jerusalem who invited strongly all Palestinian Higher Education Institutions to participate in the 3rd Call for proposal by reminding that the allocated budget for Southern Region, where Palestine is located, has been doubled and increased to 20.4 Million Euros.   

Download the three presentations:

15/12/2009
INVITATION
We would like to invite you to attend the 2nd NATIONAL INFORMATION DAY on TEMPUS Programme Overview of selection Process and results of the 2nd call and the new novelties of the third call for proposals under Tempus VI

Venue:
- West Bank: The Red Crescent Association, Al-Quds st. Al-Bireh
- Gaza Strip: The Red Crescent Association, Tal Al-Hawa, Gaza

- Date: December 21, 2009
- Time: 9:30 – 12:30

You are Welcome

6/12/2009
Erasmus-Mundus, 2010 Call for proposals
The Erasmus Mundus Programme has launched its Call for Proposals for 2010 (refEACEA 29/09). All related information are available on: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/funding/2010/call_eacea_29_09_en.php

6/12/2009
Erasmus Mundus Info Day 2010
An Information Day on Erasmus Mundus Programme will take place in Brussels on 22/1/2009. If you cannot be there, Online participation will be broadcast live via webstreaming, all related information are available by this link: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/events/infoday_2010_en.php

1/12/2009
Third Call for proposals
We would like to inform you that the third call for proposal has been published, the deadline is on 9/3/2010. You can download all related information by this link

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/funding/2009/call_eacea_28_2009_en.php

1/11/2009
Selection results Tempus IV - Second call for proposals (EAC/01/2009)

The selection results of the second Call for Proposals to be funded from Tempus IV have now been finalized. 69 proposals have been recommended for funding from the Tempus grant. These proposals were evaluated by the Selection Committee, using the eligibility criteria, exclusion criteria, selection criteria and award criteria stated in the Call, to insure they were of high quality. The preliminary results were then sent to the EC Delegations, National Tempus Offices and relevant National Authorities in the Partner Countries for consultation, to ensure that they are in line with national higher education policies in the Partner Countries.

It should be noted that the grant amount awarded may be inferior to the one requested in the application. Finally this information notice does not entitle the applicants to a grant from the Commission. The Commission will be legally bound only when its authorized representative has signed a Grant Agreement.

20/10/2009
Doctoral Scholarship

We would like to forward to you an invitation from the Minister of Education and Higher Education to submit applications for doctoral scholarships in cooperation with the UNESCO and support of the European Union.

For detailed information, you could please find below attached the invitation letter and the application form, the deadline is on 15/11/2009. File 1 (Doc File) , File 2 (Doc File)

October 6, 2009
Seeking experts in writing Tempus proposals

The national Tempus Office in Palestine is planning to hold by the first of November two seminars on “Writing Tempus Proposal”, targeting interested, from Palestinian Universities, in writing and submitting proposals for Tempus program under the next third calls for proposals.

The NTO is seeking experts in writing proposal who the following qualification:

-  Experience in writing proposals for Tempus program.

-  Experience in conducting previous Tempus projects.

All interested experts are invited to send CV by e-mail to:  info@tempus.ps , deadline: October 15, 2009.

19/8/2009
Third Call for proposals
We would like to inform you that the publication of the third call for proposals for the Joint Projects and Structural Measures is expected by the end of year 2009, deadline by February / March 2010 (tentative), Updated information will be sent to you later.

15/7/2009
Training session on Proposal Writing
The National Tempus Office of Palestine held in Ramallah a training course on proposal writing for four full day starting 6th July 2009. This event comes as a part of Tempus office’s attempts to raise the qualification and skills level of participants interested in submitting proposal for Tempus program.

The training course was attended by 20 participants from the different higher education institutions in the west Bank.
The Tempus office is preparing now for a similar training session in Gaza strip starting 20th July 2009, which will be attended by 20 participants from the four Universities of Gaza strip.

1/7/2009
10,000 Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2009-2010
The European Commission has just awarded almost 10,000 new grants to be funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme in the academic year 2009-2010. 8,385 students and academics will come to study or teach in Europe, and 1,561 Europeans will spend periods at partner institutions in countries outside Europe.

John Macdonald: +32.2.295.52.67 - john.macdonald@ec.europa.eu

Sophie Andersson: +32.2.295.02.08 - sophie.andersson@ec.europa.eu

External relations and European neighbourhood policy:

Christiane Hohmann +32.2.299.11.96 - christiane.hohmann@ec.europa.eu

Concha Fernández de la Puente                   +32.2.2952977 - concha.fernandez-puente@ec.europa.eu

To find out more

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: Erasmus Mundus [information about eligibility requirements and application procedures]

European Commission: Erasmus Mundus [more on the background of the programme, news etc]

23/6/2009
A Bologna Process Campaign 17 May – 18 June 2009
The TEMPUS Office in Ramallah organized an awareness campaign on the Bologna Process, the most outstanding reform in higher education in modern history. The campaign aimed at acquainting Palestinian students, administrators and academic staff at Palestinian universities with the principles of reform in education adopted by the Bologna Process. The campaign has toured Palestinian universities from May 17th to June 18th, 2009. Students and staff members have participated in the discussions.

23/6/2009
Seeking Experts on Erasmus-Mundus Program
Dear all Palestinian Universities and Colleges,
The National Tempus Office – Palestine is planning to organize a campaign on Erasmus-Mundus program that aims at acquainting Palestinian students, administrators and academic staff at Palestinian higher education institutions with

 to get involved in this Program. The campaign will tour all Palestinian universities and colleges from August 2nd to 19th, 2009 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The NTO – Palestine is seeking experts on Erasmus-Mundus Program to undertake this event.
All Experts are invited to send CV by e-mail to: info@tempus.ps , Deadline: 6th July, 2009

14/5/2009
A Bologna Process Campaign 17 May – 18 June 2009
The TEMPUS Office in Ramallah is currently organizing an awareness campaign on the Bologna Process, the most outstanding reform in higher education in modern history. The campaign aims at acquainting Palestinian students, administrators and academic staff at Palestinian universities with the principles of reform in education adopted by the Bologna Process. The campaign will tour Palestinian universities from May 17th to June 18th, 2009. Students and staff members are encouraged to participate in the discussions and the other activities that the TEMPUS Office in Ramallah will organize in each Palestinian university. We hope that the campaign will stir discussions among Palestinian scholars and students on the impact of the educational values and reform that the Bologna Process may have on higher education in Palestine.

You can download the Campaign materials:

- Power point presentation (PPT File)
- Leuven Louvain la Neuve Communiqué April 2009 (PDF File)
- Participating countries and organizations (Doc File)
- The Bologna Declaration of 19 June 1999 (Doc File)
- THE BOLOGNA PROCESS (Doc File)

29/4/2009
Seeking Experts on Writing Proposals
The National Tempus Office – Palestine is planning to hold training sessions on “How to write proposals for Tempus’ projects" by the first of June 2009, in West Bank and Gaza Strip, that will targets stakeholders from Palestinian Universities, who are interested in writing and submitting proposals for the next calls for proposals.

The NTO – Palestine is seeking experts on Writing Proposals, and other experienced on writing Tempus’s proposals for both Joint and Structural Measures Projects.

All Experts are invited to send CV by e-mail to: info@tempus.ps , Deadline: 10/5/2009

28/4/2009
Bologna Process Campaign
The National TEMPUS Office (NTO) in Ramallah wishes to acquaint Palestinian academics, administrative staff and students at Palestinian Higher education institutions with the European reform in education known as the Bologna Process through giving a one-hour lecture followed by a discussion on the principles of Bologna Process.

Disseminating information about the Bologna Process acquaints students and professors with the emerging educational system in Europe so that they will benefit from the possible educational opportunities available to them in Europe through mobility, transfer and cooperation in education.

All Palestinian Universities are invited to use the following link (http://www.doodle.com/kawaz2c2v7reakvu) to choose the date and specific hour that suits for the campaign that will tours all the Universities

5/4/2009
Seeking experts on Bologna Process
The National Tempus Office – Palestine is planning to hold seminars on Bologna Process by the first of May in West Bank and Gaza Strip. It will targets stakeholders from Universities, professional bodies, and government departments, to consider the Bologna process and its implications for Palestine with the objective of developing the best possible higher education sector.

The NTO – Palestine is seeking experts on Bologna Process to undertake this event. Experts are invited to send CV by e-mail to: info@tempus.ps , Deadline: 12/4/2009

1/4/2009
Tempus Meeting with the Palestinian Universities
We would like to put in your hand the slides that have been presented during the local visits to all Palestinian Universities,

• Tempus Programme (Power point file)

• 2nd call for proposals (PDF file)

31/3/2009
Tempus Project Representatives Meeting
We would like to put in your hand the slides that have been presented during the Tempus Project Representatives Meeting (Brussels, 19-20 March 2009): tempus project and financial management.

5/3/2009
Tempus Information Day – Palestine
The Natioanl Tempus Office in Palestine organized, on Wednesday, 4 March 2009, an information session on Tempus VI and Erasmus Mundus Programmes that aimed at creating awareness of the two programmes. The session took place in Al-Quds Open University in Ramallah and Gaza strip (by Video Conference). The participants were representatives of academics, university representatives, as well as representatives from the European Commission.

The coordinator of Tempus Office, Prof. Daoud Zatari, started the session with giving an overview of Tempus VI programme, its objectives, the funded projects, as well as how to get involved and participate in the current call for proposals of Tempus IV programme. The 2nd and the 3rd presentations focused on Erasmus-Mundus Programme, and some indicators about Tempus IV First Call Results.

Dr. Zatari mentioned that Tempus office of Palestine is willing to organize a training session about proposal writing which will address those interested in participating and writing a proposal for Tempus projects.
At the end of the session, Dr. Zatari and the Administrative assistant, Hisham Kaddoumi, answered to all participants’ queries.

Download the three presentations:

• Tempus Program and Tempus IV Second Call 2009 (PPT File)

• Tempus IV First Call Results (PPT File)

• Erasmus-Mundus Program (PPT File)

25/2/2009
Tempus Information Day
It is our pleasure to invite you to the National Tempus Information Day organized by the National Tempus Office of Palestine.
The conference will take place in Ramallah and Gaza strip on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009, starting at 10.00

Ramallah: Al-Balou', Al-Quds Open University Building, behind Plaza mall, 4th floor.

Gaza Strip: Tal-Elhawa, Al-Quds Open University Building, video conference hall.

3/2/2009
TEMPUS INFORMATION DAYS - other countries: The Tempus Information Day of Palestine took place in Ramallah and Gaza strip on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009, but if you might be out of Palestine, and lost this opportunity, you could find below the schedule of Tempus information day in other countries:

• 10 March, Alger, Algeria (contact: allabpnc@yahoo.fr)

• 10 March, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (contact: aziza@europahouse.uz)

• 24 March, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (contact: aina@tacistm.org)

• 26-27 March, Comillas, Cantabria (contact: mpura.gallego@mepsyd.es)

31/1/2009
Tempus IV: Second Call for Proposals EAC/01/2009
The Second Call for Proposals (EAC/01/2009) under Tempus IV invites the submission of cooperative projects under two actions types, Joint Projects and Structural Measures, from partnerships comprised of higher education institutions, enterprises, ministries, NGOs, associations etc., from the EU and the Partner Countries.

The indicative total budget for this Call amounts to approximately € 53 million in total, and the individual projects grants from €0.5 to €1.5 million.
The deadline for the electronic submission of proposals is Tuesday, 28 April 2009.

The French and German language versions of the Call will be published towards the end of February. However, the English version is the authentic one and takes precedence over the translations. The application form in English is planned to be posted on this website by the end of February.

Download the call text (PDF file)

14/1/2009
New Call for proposals for Jean Monnet Program
The Jean Monnet program has lunched new call for proposal. This program is designed to increase knowledge and awareness about European integration by promoting teaching, research and debate on European Union matters at university-level institutions.

All information on the call and the standard application forms can be found on this address: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/ajm/2009/index_en.htm

The deadlines for applications are 13 February 2009.

Download a short note on the Jean Monnet call (Doc File)

20/12/2008

28/11/2008
International cooperation in higher education: Tempus gives € 60 m to university cooperation projects
The European Commission has given its approval to 63 university co-operation and 13 other high quality projects under the new phase of the Tempus programme, selected from 530 applications. All 28 Tempus partner countries are involved, with a total budget of € 60 million. 600 universities from the partner countries and 300 from the EU will participate in these projects.

The Tempus programme supports the modernisation of higher education and creates an area of co-operation in countries outside the EU. Established in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the scheme now covers 28 countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

The Tempus projects are based on multilateral partnerships between higher education institutions from the EU and partner countries. They can develop, modernise and disseminate new curricula or teaching methods, boost a quality assurance culture, and modernise the management and governance of higher education institutions.

This new, fourth phase of the Tempus programme has introduced new features such as the need to implement larger projects, with a more noticeable impact, involving both larger university networks and more non academic partners and stressing regional cooperation. Tempus IV has thus given a new impetus to structural measures, which contribute to the development and reform of higher education institutions and systems in partner countries, and increase their convergence with EU developments, which is in line with the EU's priorities in its external policies.

In concrete terms, the projects selected by the European Commission for funding under Tempus IV cover a broad range of disciplines, from sustainable development and chemical engineering to intellectual property law, biomedical engineering and social work. Through a strict procedure and a consultation process with the national authorities, the Commission has ensured that the selected projects are both of high quality and in line with national educational priorities.

1/11/2008
FP7: Special call for Mediterranean Partner Countries
The "Regional Aspect" of the 7th FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (FP7) published a special call for proposals for Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs) that might be of particular interest for research centers.

You could below download the following information materials to any potential applicant:

• Research Potential Work programme including the call text related to international co-operation with Mediterranean partner countries (PDF File)

• Brochure with condensed information on the call (PDF File)

• Translation of this brochure in Arabic language (PDF File)

• PowerPoint presentation of the call (PPT File)

Further information is also available at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7DetailsCallPage&call_id=170

20/9/2008
Joint Tempus meeting with Representatives from the Ministries of Education of EU Member States and Partner Countries together with National Contact Points and National Tempus Offices, 16-17 September 2008, All the documents for this meeting are now available.

The European Commission Directorate General for Education and Cultures is organized a two-day meeting in Brussels for representatives from the Ministries of Education of the EU Member States and Partner Countries. The meeting tacked place on 16-17 September 2008.

The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss with the ministerial representatives the role of the Tempus program in promoting structural reform in the partner countries, through e.g. the provision of direct support to the Ministries of Education and by assisting national teams of reform promoters.

16/7/2008
European Commission opens National Tempus Offices in Ramallah
The European Commission is intensifying its co-operation with the Palestinian Authority on education and training matters. During a visit from 14-17 July 2008, Commissioner Ján Figel' opened national liaison offices for the EU's Tempus programme in Ramallah and signed a joint declaration on enhanced co-operation.

The opening of the National Tempus Offices comes at a time when the Palestinian universities increasingly participate in the EU's external cooperation programmes Tempus and Erasmus Mundus.

Tempus supports the modernization of higher education and creates an area of co-operation in countries surrounding the EU. National Tempus Offices serve as focal points and facilitators on the ground with the mission to contribute to the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the Tempus programme.

The Palestinian universities profit in several ways from participating in Tempus, as well as in Erasmus Mundus, the programme to promote the EU as a centre of excellence in learning. While the bulk of funding under these programmes flows into grants to individual students and scholars, more and more universities from the region equally engage in joint projects with partner institutions in the EU.

10/5/2008
Tempus conference on quality enhancement in higher education, Cairo, Egypt, 7-8 May 2008
The European Commission, together with the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education, is organized an international Tempus conference in Cairo on 7-8 May 2008, to discuss the latest developments in quality enhancement in higher education in the EU and its partner countries. The conference was a platform for dialogue between academics, experts and students coming from the EU and the 27 Tempus partner countries.
For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/tempus/events_en.html

17/4/2008
Tempus seminar for Higher Education Reform Experts
The European Commission has organised a Tempus seminar for Higher Education Reform Experts wishing to familiarise with the key concepts and tools of the Bologna process. More than 40 experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Croatia, Egypt, Former Yugoslav Republik of Macedonia, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan have attended the event which took place in Brussels on 14-15 April. More information available on: http://brussels2008.bolognapromoters.net/

15/1/2008
Launch of Tempus IV
The latest phase of the programme, Tempus IV, started in 2008 with a call for proposals lasting from January to April. The total budget for this call was around €51 million, with individual projects able to gaining funding of between €0.5 and €1.5 million. New projects under this call start at the end of 2008.

The first Call for Proposals under the new phase of the programme, Tempus IV, invites the submission of cooperative projects under two actions types, Joint Projects and Structural Measures, from partnerships comprised of higher education institutions, enterprises, ministries, NGOs, associations etc., from the EU and the partner countries. The indicative total budget for this Call amounts to approximately € 51 million in total, and for individual projects from €0.5 to €1.5 million. The deadline for the electronic submission of proposals is 28 April 2008. For more information on the Tempus IV: (PDF File)