During the current academic year, I have had the opportunity to interact more closely with faculty and students in our College of Applied Sciences (CAS), and I was deeply impressed by what they have for learning, innovation and problem solving. Our hardworking staff's dedication to keeping the college running efficiently in a collegial and team-working manner, as well as the breadth of engagement of our local community in the learning process, are all noticed.

In its path of transition to become a pioneering college for applied sciences in Palestine, CAS has progressed on all fronts, including the adoption of innovative learning methodologies and research directed towards community services. As a result, the college managed to be one of the top colleges for leading student research and graduation projects. This would not have happened without the devotion and commitments of the administrative and academic staff and their pivotal roles that will help CAS succeed in achieving its strategic objectives and its path towards entrepreneurship. 

Future plans:

We have a great foundation on which to build future success at the college. As the dean of CAS, I will continue to reach out to our staff as we work together to build and shape the future of our college. I will work with CAS staff to transform the college to achieve its full potential as a vibrant and diverse scientific and educational applied college in Palestine. The number of students enrolled has significantly increased in the last academic year, a clear indication of the local community's appreciation of the college's role in transferring innovative education to our students.

We will focus on the following strategic plans during my term as dean for CAS:

• Building a stronger sense of community in the college and increasing staff involvement in college activities
• Increasing teamwork and student-teacher interactions and involving students in college activities
• Improving our current academic programs, including, among other things, introducing new modes of teaching and learning, updating curricula, providing more and better career information and advice, and increasing the number of available scholarships.
• Introducing new academic programs to meet the increasing demand in the labor market for health and family-oriented programs
• Increasing local community interaction with the college and encouraging program advisory committees that allow industry involvement in the learning process in the college
• Enabling and encouraging more students and staff to participate in short- and long-term student exchange, study abroad and other international academic experiences.
• Increasing the number of research grants and scientific research in the college.

I invite all faculty members to participate and contribute to this work in order to advance our college and enable it to achieve its strategic goals of becoming a leading applied sciences college in Palestine. 

Dr. Waleed Rimawi