PalTel Group Foundation (PGF) is an independent, non-profit organization established by the PalTel Group in 2008 as a direct response to the growing needs of the Palestinian society. The Foundation is the first of its kind: an indigenous, self-financed, corporate-supported foundation by PalTel Group companies (Jawwal, PalTel, Hadara, Reach, Palmedia). PGF has systematically directed its contribution to focus on important and vital sectors in order to support the Palestinian society. PGF projects and programs are targeting the community on sustainable and development approach.
Support to Higher Education
Education is an important vital sector in Palestine, hence, PGF has allocated a good amount of its budget to support this sector through core programs addressing high school graduates “Tawjihi”. The program supports students to continue their studies at the Palestinian universities in specific fields, focusing on their academic achievement and socio-economic situation.
Type of Support
Scholarships
PGF has launched the PG Scholarship Program for undergraduate students for the third consecutive year. Palestinian students wishing to study at Palestinian universities are selected using clear criteria that target academic excellence and socio-economic situation, in order to provide educational opportunities in certain identified fields. PGF offers 400 scholarships annually in Medicine, Engineering, IT, Business Administration, Agriculture, Nursing and Science.
Loans
PalTel Group Foundation for Community Development, in partnership with the Bank of Palestine, has implemented the Palestinian Student Loans Program. This program basically aims at offering opportunities to the largest possible segment of students to continue their university studies, granting them soft loans from the Bank of Palestine with a convenient repayment schedule. By the end of 2012, this program has enabled 1,944 students to enroll in Palestinian universities.
Duration of Support
Scholarships
One year with possible extension if the student achieves a very good degree.
Loans
5 years
Eligibility Criteria
Scholarships
• Average score in high school examinations (Tawjihi)
• Socio-economic situation of the student and the family.
• Number of siblings currently studying in universities.
Loans
A candidate must:
• Have a Palestinian ID
• Be registered or will be registered at a Palestinian university.
• Not be less than 18 years when approving the loan.
• Be one of the students who did not obtain other loans from the Ministry of Education at the same time.
• Have a cumulative average of not less than 68% for university enrolled students.
• Be enrolled for 4, 5, or 6 educational years of the study system.
• Be a student of one of the following specializations: Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Psychology, Dentistry, Applied Health, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Applied Math, Applied Sciences, IT, Agriculture, or Social Service.
• Should register for at least 12 hours each semester.
Note: Students who study in other fields of specialization should be enrolled in a 4-educational-year system at least and his cumulative or Tawjihi average should not be less than 85%.
Application Procedures
Scholarships
PGF advertises in all local newspapers, as well as universities and concerned ministries local offices for around 45 days. The application is filled electronically. A specialized committee reviews and evaluates the applications to make sure all applications match the set criteria.
Loans
Applications may be obtained and filled in at any branch of the Bank of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza.
Deadlines
Scholarships
45 days from date of announcement.
Loans
N/A
Contact
Additional Information
PGF focuses additionally on the technology sector through many core programs such as the PC Initiative. This initiative is considered as one of the most important programs run by PGF aiming at developing the Palestinian people and spreading the culture of the Internet and computing. It aims to achieve these goals through encouraging the utilization of technology by small civil society organizations that are located in remote areas. Around 250 PCs are distributed yearly.
Also, we have the AbjadNet project that aims at increasing education opportunities and decrease technology illiteracy through the promotion of electronic culture at Palestinian schools. The project includes connecting the schools to the Internet. PGF is implementing this project for free and in full cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Furthermore, the project has involved the provision of PCs for the schools’ benefit. In addition, the project will launch awareness campaigns targeting people aged
6-60 where they are trained on Internet and technology use.
Decent life program for empowering modest families, this program stems from the vision of securing a sustainable source of living for poor families in underprivileged areas. It complements other efforts aiming at reducing poverty, through optimal and more efficient use of resources. This year, PGF worked with the Palestinian Hydrologists Group to develop water and environmental resources to provide access to such services to the selected families. In 2011, extremely poor families were targeted, mainly focusing on female-headed households who lost the father as a result of death, or abandonment. Selection criteria and field visits were used to choose families and to tailor projects to their needs. In addition, indicators were made to evaluate the outcome.