Al-Quds Open University

The University holds conferences and activities that tackle different topics, and address the needs of the local and international communities, to eventually conclude needed recommendations and proposals.

Special Education: Towards a Distinguished Service System

Introduction

In our contemporary world, Special Education receives unprecedented attention in human history, as it contributes, as a profession concerned with developing academic, social and economic competencies for children and youth with disabilities, to the human development that both developed and developing societies need. It also works to achieve the principles related to Inclusive Education that believes in education for all, equal opportunities, human rights and social justice. In the past four decades, special education has made tremendous achievements, and has helped people with special needs acquire skills that were considered unattainable in the past.

However, at the beginning of the 3^rd. millennium; special education stands at a historic crossroads. It is subject to a process of self-analysis and reconstruction, which may result in fundamental and long-term change.

Among the most important issues, currently, raised in this field are the relationship of Special Education with general education, the role of the teacher preparation programs; relationships with parents and families, legislation and laws, the relationship between research and practice and the role of modern technology, prevention and early intervention services, and integration versus separation and isolation.

In the state of Palestine, like in other Arab countries, Special Education is still relatively recent and still has not lived up to the professions level, as there are no clear and agreed criteria for effective and ethical field practice, and there are only a few Palestinian universities offering special education programs, the first of which is Al-Quds Open University, and there is a huge shortage in Scientific magazines specializing in this field and in studies related to it.

Through this conference, the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Al-Quds Open University and the Jasmine Charitable Society seek to provide an opportunity for experts, educators and researchers in the fields of special education, psychology and early childhood to exchange knowledge, information and experiences related to special education services provided to children and youth with special needs and to develop a political and national strategy capable of supporting them.

The Committees

1- The Preparatory Committee

#	Name	Job title	Workplace
1.	Prof. Majdi Zamel/Chair	Dean of the Faculty of Educational Science	QOU
2.	Dr. Eng. Islam Amro	Assistant to the President of QOU for Technology & Production Affairs/ Director of ICTC	QOU
3.	Dr. Eng. Imad Hodali	Assistant to the President of QOU for Public and International Affairs and Media	QOU
4.	Prof. Mohammad Ahmad Shahin	Assistant to the President of QOU for Students Affairs / Dean of Student Affairs	QOU
5.	Prof. Mohammad Titi	Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs	QOU
6.	Dr. Husein Hamayel	Director of Ramallah & Al-Bireh Branch	QOU
7.	Prof. Husni Awad	Dean of Graduate Studies & Scientific Research	QOU
8.	Ms. Wafa’ Sheikh	Executive Director	Jasmine Charitable Society
9.	Ms. Nancy Haidar	Member of an administrative Board	Jasmine Charitable Society
10.	Ms. Fatima Eid	Activities Officer	Jasmine Charitable Society
11.	Ms. Rasha Al-Sa’di	Director of Education Program	Jasmine Charitable Society
12.	Dr. Nasser Al-Agha	Academic and Administrative Assistant/Khan Younes Branch	QOU
13.	Eng. Wesam Sleibi	Vice President Office for Gaza Strip affairs	QOU

2- Scientific Committee

#	Name	Job Title	Work place
1.	Dr. Mahmoud I’beid	Head of the Department of Special Education	QOU
2.	Prof. Yousef Diab	Nablus Branch Director	QOU
3.	Dr. Kamal Salameh	Jericho Branch Director:	QOU
4.	Dr. Tamer Suheil	Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs	QOU
5.	Dr. Iyad Abu Baker	Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social and Family Development	QOU
6.	Dr. Nabil Al-Mughrabi	Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences	QOU
7.	Dr. Fakhri Dweikat	Faculty Member	QOU/Nablus Branch
8.	Prof. Sami Abu Ishaq	Faculty Member	QOU/Khan Younes Branch
9.	Dr. Ahmad Sa’d	Faculty Member	QOU/North Gaza Branch
10.	Dr. Fayez Mahameed	Faculty Member	QOU
11.	Dr. Omar Rimawi	Faculty Member	Al-Quds University
12.	Dr. Said Awad	Faculty Member	Al-Quds University
13.	Dr. Ibrahim Al-Masri	Faculty Member	Hebron University
14.	Ms. Nancy Haidar	Member of Administrative Board	Jasmine Charitable Society

3- Public Relation & Media Committee

#	Name	Job title	Work place
1.	Mr. Awadallah Mashal	Public and International Affairs and Media	QOU
2.	Mr. Ayham Abu Ghoush	Public and International Affairs and Media	QOU
3.	Ms. Fatima Eid	Media	Jasmine Charitable Society