The Impact of the Governance of Private Universities in Building Partnership with NGOs Operating in Gaza Strip

Abstract

The aim of the research is to demonstrate the impact of private universities' governance in building partnership with NGOs operating in Gaza Strip. The researchers used the descriptive analytical method, and the research population consists of employees in the universities in Gaza Strip. It was applied on the University of Palestine and the University of Gaza. A random sample of (57) employees was selected and (52) responses were obtained with a rate of (91.2%). The results of the study showed that the level of availability of the principles of governance in the universities in Gaza Strip from the point of view of employees was high. The relative weight of private universities was 67%. The order of principles is as follows: (laws and regulations, academic freedom, accounting and accountability, board responsibilities, the rights of all stakeholders, transparency and disclosure). The results showed that the level of partnership in private universities from the point of view of employees was high. The relative weight of private universities was 74.5%. The results of the study also showed that there is a statistically significant relationship at the level of (α≤0.0.05) between governance in all its dimensions and strengthening the partnership between universities and NGOs. The study concluded with a set of recommendations, the most important of which is the necessity to work on the interest and benefit from the principles of governance available in the private universities in the Gaza Strip through the preparation of a document for the university governance which includes the identification of the tasks, processes and responsibilities assigned to each member, and the need to increase the level of partnership between private universities on the one hand and community organizations on the other hand, as well as the need to follow up the Ministry of Education to the extent to which universities in Palestine adhere to the principles and rules of governance. Oblige all institutions to disclose and transparency standards and to present the outcomes of their work to the beneficiaries of these services. The establishment of a special unit for partnership and community development, which will support the positive relationship between the university and community institutions. Work to remove all obstacles that limit the partnership between universities and community organizations, the most important of which is the limited powers granted to universities and the weak funding allocated to partnerships where the Ministry of Education and Higher Education can support projects based on partnership, as well as the need to link between production centers and the needs of the community through the development of a clear plan, the philosophy, goals and criteria of partnership with the participation of all parties.