Speaker Details

Hasan Salah Dweik , currently the executive vice president of Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem , completed his Ph.D in Polymer Science and Technology in 1983 at the University of Aston in Birmingham ,UK , started his work at the faculty of science and technology at the Al-Quds university in the year 1983.Started as the Chairman of the department of chemical technology in the Faculty of Science and Technology , then became assistant to the dean in 1990 , he was a visiting professor at the University of Akron in Ohio state /USA in 1991/1992 at the Institute of Polymer Science , later between the period 1994-1996 he became the head of the department of chemistry and chemical technology at Al-Quds University , and then the head of the Food Technology department from 1997-1999, , later between 1999-2002 he became the dean of faculty of science and technology , in the year 2004/2005 he became the Acting president of Al-Quds University ,and then the executive vice president since the year 2005/2006 . Prof Dweik has many publications in polymer science and technology and have a great interest in water pollution and water chemistry ,solid waste management and environment , where he published many articles , he co edited a book on water Resources in the Middle East , he is a member of many local NGO .and international associations and societies. Prof .Dweik was the creater of the first interactive science center in Palestine and the first interactive Mathematics museum in Palestine and he is the director of these museums both museums operate at Al-quds University . Prof Dweik participated in Large number of Local, regional and international conferences. He is very much devoted to the advancement of science and have a special interest in informal education ,he is also devoted to peace ,dialogue , and worked on many projects that promote peace through science .

Presentation Abstract:

Knowledge has always been a factor of production and the drive for economic and social development. Recently the capacity to manipulate, store, transmit information at a low cost has increased to a high rate; the digital world is facilitating rapidly the application of knowledge to economic activity. The knowledge society relies on diffusion and use of information and knowledge People in the 21st century must be life long learner adapting continuously to change opportunity, work practice, business models, and forms of economic and social organizations. It is important to use all kinds of knowledge in response to the acceleration in the rate of change in our world. Al-Quds university and through the international cooperation and Networking was able to develop its capacities in various domains and in transferring knowledge through serious international partnerships ,we were able to establish for the first time in the history of Palestine two important exhibitions , An interactive science museum and An interactive mathematics museum . A partnership and Networking with city of science in Naples, University of Naples, Bloomfield science museum, European commission with the Support of Campania region, UNESCO, we were able to produce the interactive Mathematics museum, in another partnership that also included the European Commission ,and Goldsmith Foundation in the USA we were able to create the science museum . Partners held many workshops, meetings, and communications in exchanging views starting from developing the basic conceptual ideas, planning, and management, until the realization of the two museums .Human capacity building and training among the Palestinians in all aspects of museums production was tremendous and significant In the realization of these two museums we were aiming at advocating among the Palestinian youngsters and the community at large a new culture of science education through informal learning that promote critical thinking , curiosity ,interactivity , ,and enjoyment of science. Over all objectives that we were aiming at include: 1-Enhance the Palestinian national identity by the establishment of a new major public institution to promote scientific culture and technological knowledge; 2-Attract young people into science careers, increasing scientific literacy in the youngsters and their families in Palestine; 3-Improve the quality of science education, the promotion of informal learning and science laboratories in the school system;  4-Motivate children and adults to become more inquisitive, and encourage the development or redevelopment of curiosity; 5-Promote the learning experience in the museum within a social context, people come with other people: friends family, fellow students, they interact with each other consciously or unconsciously; 6-To increase the capacity building of human resources (professionals involved in educational and training process, scientists and experts involved in a joint design and realization of the exhibition, personnel involved in the management of the exhibition) working on the different phases of the project and people visiting the exhibition (students, teachers and families).

Status: Confirmed