Palestinian Diasporic Knowledge and Technology Transfer Hub

Overview

The Palestinian Diaspora Knowledge and Technology Transfer Hub is an innovative initiative designed to utilize the expertise of the Palestinian diaspora in the United States with the goal of fostering economic development in Palestine. Additionally, the hub is dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of Palestinian private sector companies, through knowledge and technology transfer facilitated by the Palestinian professional diaspora in the United States. This transformative initiative is organized through the collaboration of the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture (FPCCIA) and strategic partnerships with US entities, particularly University of San Francisco.

The Hub aims to transfer technology from the United States to the West Bank and Gaza, creating an ecosystem for knowledge exchange and nurturing Palestinian talent. It will provide services of technology transfer, internships, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and other training opportunities to Palestinian companies and enterprises. This will promote the growth of Palestinian private sector and improve job opportunities for graduates, thus contributing directly to economic development in Palestine.

Our Vision

The envisioned hub will perform as a technical as well as a social platform. A technical platform to transfer knowledge and know-how. It will be formed by a pool of Palestinian talent and formalized in a professional database of experts, businesses, and other stakeholders whom they share the vision of a network and commitment. It would connect Palestinian professionals to share insight and experience, promote and develop the practices of entrepreneurship through networking and coordination. This will eventually open up the chances for cooperative exchanges, fostering trade opportunities, and promoting mutual investments between Palestine and the US. On the other hand, the Hub will act as a social platform where the diaspora connects with their home country.

Key Objectives

• Foster an environment of innovation and continuous learning among Palestinian-American experts and local businesses by facilitating smooth transition of knowledge.
• Create a dynamic networking platform to promote strategic partnerships and joint ventures between Palestinian-American experts and local businesses.
• Develop the entrepreneurial and professional skills of Palestinian businesses to enhance their competitiveness on a global level, by introducing them to the latest technology and industry best practices.
• Promote economic diversification, increase productivity, and drive innovation among the Palestinian diaspora contributing to the economic development in Palestine.

Main Activities

• Expert Outreach and Engagement: Identifying and mobilizing at least 50 U.S. diaspora experts willing to support Palestinian companies. This will involve carefully planned matching and selection process targeting specific companies in specific sectors that have the capacity and capability to absorb and disseminate new knowledge. While, experts would be attracted and matched according to criteria set on the basis of qualification, experience and availability to successfully implement targeted knowledge and technology transfer missions.

• Pilot Program: Launching a pilot program with a minimum of 15 experts volunteering electronically and on-site in the West Bank to provide hands-on support.

• Partnerships: Establishing strong partnerships for knowledge transfer between the professional diaspora in the US and private sector companies in the West Bank and Gaza.

Missions’ Execution
Facilitating specific knowledge and technology transfers by carefully connecting companies with diaspora experts through a detailed matching process.

1. Matching Process: Encourage companies to apply, assess their applications based on criteria such as problem identification, expected outcomes.
2. Expert Selection: Achieving the most appropriate results by choosing experts based on their qualifications, practical experience, availability, and proposed action plans.
3. Online Meetings: Setting up virtual meetings between experts and selected companies to discuss the plans and needed information.
4. Mission implementation visits: Organizing a brief visits from the United States to West bank and Gaza, focusing on training, coaching, mentoring, guided experience.