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NeuroDev - University Centers for Neurodevelopment

1011793352024Capacity Building in higher educationongoing
Countries: ES|PS|FR · Grant: €788,752.9

Project summary

Academic programs, training, and research on child neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental problems are very scarce in Palestine and the rest of the Arab countries. To the best of our knowledge, the first master's degree on child neuropsychology and neurodevelopmental disorders was offered in 2023 at Bethlehem University and Hebron University, thanks to our previous Erasmus+ NeuCaRe project (reference 610227-EPP-1-2019-1-ES-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP). Currently, the new cohorts of students has started their studies. However, the need for training in this field is very important for academic staff and graduate students. To complete the practical and research training of the future professionals completing the master's degree, as well as of the academic staff providing training in the Palestinian universities, it is necessary to create a new infrastructure to meet these needs. Therefore, the objective of this project will be to create a University Centers for Neurodevelopment (UNC) with three units: the practical training unit, the research unit and the community services unit. Three centers will be established, equipped, and academic staff will be trained at three Palestinian universities geographically distributed in northern, central and southern Palestine, namely An-Najah National University, Bethlehem University, and Hebron University. Thus, the project will create new university structures, bridging the gap between theory and practices in child neurodevelopment. Providing specialized training with professional skills will facilitate the students' incorporation into the labour market, enhancing their research capabilities on child neuropsychology, and establishing links between the university and the social needs of the Palestinians citizens. Moreover, the need for trained professionals and intervention services for neurodevelopmental disorders among Palestinian children is clearly essential after the war of October 2023.

Project partners (5)