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Two Student Affiliate members at the first IMechE Student Chapter in Palestine at An-Najah National University
The IMechE is a truly international organisation these days, with members spread far and wide across all seven continents of the globe.
Some regions are seeing truly remarkable growth, as illustrated in the Palestinian Territories, where a thriving IMechE chapter established in June 2015 has already attracted 260 members. That membership figure is expected to keep on rising, reaching a very healthy 400 by the end of the year.
Abdelnaser Dwaikat is the country representative of IMechE in Palestine. He oversees the An-Najah National University Student Chapter which runs many technical and ceremonial events, fostering a real sense of belonging.
He says: “We already run many activities in the Chapter. These include opening ceremonies of IMechE within universities, running soft skills courses and carrying out scientific visits to relevant factories. We have also been successful in running a robotics competition for student members and have been carrying out promotional activities such as 'Speak out for Engineering'.”
Palestine is a diverse region with agriculture as its mainstay. However, there is also an industrial sector centred around food and beverages, construction, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metal and engineering. There are opportunities for young engineers, but unemployment remains a problem.
“There challenges associated with being an engineer in Palestine,” says Dwaikat. “There are limited number of job opportunities, and not enough use of technology. The industrial and production sector is very small compared to many other countries.”
But that hasn't stopped him making a success of the An-Najah University Student Chapter in Palestine, as well as developing four other Student Chapters in four other Palestinian Universities, namely the Islamic University of Palestine, Birzeit University, Palestine Polytechnic University and Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie. Dwaikat says that young engineers in the region can see the professional benefits of being associated with the institution, and are keen to get involved. “IMechE association is very good for personal development and helps young people build their careers. It also provides valuable discount for courses and other related activities.”
An-Najah Student Chapter's Activities
Looking forward, Dwaikat says there is plenty of exciting activity to come from within the Palestine Student Chapters. “Our team here at An-Najah National University Chapter is preparing to design and build a self-driving car and also we will also participate in the prestigious Formula Student 2016 Competition. There is a lot happening,” he says.
Student Affiliates at An-Najah National University, Palestinian Territories
You can read more about the IMechE Student Chapters in the Palestinian Territories in on the Palestine NearYou pages of the IMechE website.