1.1 Undergraduate education is at the heart of Bethlehem University, its raison d'être, and its central focus is to provide young Palestinians with the means for academic and personal development.

1.2 University education should be designed to foster intellectual growth of students while preparing them for the careers they will pursue on graduation. Undergraduate education is not merely training in vocational skills for immediate job availability. The University must encourage student development that produces intellectually active graduates capable of independent learning and critical thinking, with analytical and creative skills and flexibility in response to evolving life situations. In doing so it is also equipping them for new career opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

1.3 Bethlehem University realizes the need to constantly assess and revise the curriculum and its content, so as to provide undergraduate programs that are attractive and relevant. Sensing the imminent changes in Palestinian Society, the University undertook a major review of the undergraduate curriculum. The resulting programs (including six new minors in Information Technology, Industrial Chemistry, Medical Technology, Journalism, Telecommunications and Theater, to be implemented in Fall 1998) provide for a broad-based core which encourages leadership and organization, moral, ethical, social and civic responsibilities and an understanding of political, social and economic aspects of local culture. Around this core will be built an understanding of major approaches to the knowledge and basic skills in different disciplines.This farsighted initiative at Bethlehem University provides a foundation for the maintenance of the quality of education for which the University is renowned.

1.4 Bethlehem University's vision of undergraduate education will not be confined to academic achievement and curriculum content. Many of the qualities required for living a fulfilled life come from other areas of university endeavor. An appreciation of one's own culture and heritage is a prerequisite for understanding and appreciating the culture of others, is the sign of a civilized and educated human being and contributes to a sense of national identity and self-security.

2 Major Issues Emerging from Responses and Consultation

2.1 The numerous responses received on this subject strongly emphasize the necessity for having undergraduate programs relevant to the needs of individual students and the Palestinian community at large. This is seen as a mixture of providing skills and knowledge necessary for pursuit of job opportunities and of preparing citizens capable of meeting the challenges of the emerging Palestinian State. To meet this end there was a strong call from both inside and outside the University to assess the undergraduate programs to ensure that they fit the needs of today's graduate, both in preparation for the workplace and in taking an active role in the new, democratic Palestinian Society. It was proposed that creative approaches to subject combinations be encouraged to increase the choice available.

2.2 Two extra elements arose in relation to the academic aspects of undergraduate training:

-the importance of integrating new teacher training and teaching techniques

-pedagogical methods to involve students in the learning process.

2.3 There was a demand for extending extra- and co-curricular activities, which would encourage students in artistic and sports endeavors and in discussion and debate of social and political issues. This will foster enhancement of another element of personal development.

3 Proposed Initiatives

• On-going review and updating to ensure an undergraduate curriculum based on practical needs of students and Palestinian society as a whole. Openness to new fields of study, and procedures for rapid implementation.
• Provision of a broad-based curriculum and a flexible approach to learning, giving students competence and confidence in the use of information technology as preparation for life in the new Information Society and employment in the Knowledge-based economic development of the new Millennium.
• Further development of existing liaison with business, industry and professional organizations to ensure that curriculum content is keeping pace with new developments, while giving attention to short-term market needs and distinguishing between meeting the immediate demands in the labor force and more medium/long-term needs.
• Provision of a range of extracurricular activities.
• Review of the needs of the less well educated and underprivileged in the local community and identification of how best to serve these needs in cooperation with other institutions and organizations in the area.
• Coordination with other institutes of Higher Education in the provision of programs and careful consideration of the role of a university as distinct from the role and area of responsibility of Community and Vocational Colleges.
• Enhancement of teaching skills to provide for initiatives in undergraduate programs. Special attention to the integration of new approaches and particularly new telecommunication technology and multimedia presentations to enhance and maximize the efficiency of teaching.