Jerusalem- the Mount of Olives/Al Suwaneh; Al Nayzak for Supportive Education and Scientific Innovation with the European Union (EU) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) lay the foundation stone for the Jerusalem Innovation Park (JIP) on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The EU Representative in Jerusalem, Mr. Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, and the Director of UNOPS in Palestine, Mr. Tokumitsu Kobayashi, and the founder of Al Nayzak Eng. Aref. Husseini joined the inauguration ceremony for the stone laying, along with a very limited number of personalities due to the current pandemic restrictions. Among them were Mrs. Daniel, Consulate General of Belgium, Mr. Abdel Qader Al-Husseini, Dr. Ahmed Nasser and Prof. Sawsan Al-Safadi from Al Nayzak Board of Directors.
In his speech, the EU representative confirmed that, “The right to education is a fundamental human right for every individual and every child, but here in East Jerusalem, quality education is a real challenge; i.e. the schools are crowded, the classes are extremely full, the barriers are numerous. However, there is always a glimmer of hope! Our support for the JIP affirms our commitment to the fundamental human rights and the importance of creative thinking and innovation.” The representative Mr. Sven also reiterated the position of the EU which is that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.
It is important to highlight that the (JIP) is an educational complex of 5385m2 in the heart of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives, comprised of an innovation, technology and science hub along with other educational facilities specialized in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The JIP will offer educational services through internationally recognized educational facilities as well as an advanced scientific garden, with an interactive exhibition, a playground, an auditorium, a Fablab and an astronomy observatory, for the benefit of students and the interested public. The JIP is expected to open its doors, services, and facilities to the public around October 2023.
“UNOPS is honored to join its efforts with the EU on the path to increase access to quality education for Palestinian girls and boys in East Jerusalem,” said the UNOPS Jerusalem Office Director Mr. Tokumitsu Kobayashi. During this phase of the project, UNOPS in collaboration with Al-Nayzak Organization for Scientific Innovation will lead the construction and finalize the first two floors of the main building, as well as the procurement of furniture and equipment.
From his side, Eng. Aref Husseini, the founder of Al Nayzak and the JIP asserted, “this achievement is the fruit of the collective work, shared passion and a real partnership between local and international entities and individuals which are committed to serve East Jerusalem”. In addition, Eng. Husseini expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the JIP partners who had a long-term vision, to turn this dream into reality.
On behalf of Al Nayzak and Jerusalem, Eng. Husseini expressed his deep appreciation to other individuals and organizations who support the JIP to reach where it is today, specifically the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development- Kuwait, Welfare Association, the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) company, H.E Dr. Nasser Qatami-Chairman of the Arab and Islamic Funds, the Jerusalemite businessman Eng. Hani Bader Kalouti, Mr. Terry Weber, the businessman H.E Mr. Munib Rashid Almasri through the Munib and Angela Masri Foundation and Sandouq and Waqfiyet AlQuds, the PalTel Foundation and the Bank of Palestine.