Q&A

In today's world, science and research play an important role in solving problems at the local and global levels. Facing significant challenges requires concerted efforts, especially the efforts of young scientists and researchers of all scientific backgrounds without objective and spatial boundaries in order to influence the public policies and the leadership of society in positive ways. These efforts will result in finding solutions, engaging in a permanent and integrated dialogue with members of the community in all segments of society and creating a link between it, decision-makers and science by presenting it more efficiently and faster. We therefore aim to improve the ranking of Palestine, its academic institutions and its young researchers who are working in Palestine and abroad through the sharing of ideas, cross-disciplinary cooperation, networking and influencing science at the local, Arab and international levels.

• Neutrality: We are a neutral academy initiative that does not belong to any Palestinian or non-Palestinian political party.

• Independence: Palestine Young Academy is an initiative developed by a group of Palestinian academics. It has institutional autonomy in terms of management of projects, selection of members and distribution of tasks for formed research groups. It works on mobilising money to implement activities and events. Palestine Academy of Science and Technology will also provide logistical, bureaucratic and administrative support to the Academy.

• Based on scientific evidence: As scientists and researchers, the solution to the problems and dilemmas of society is based on scientific evidence without any favouritism to any party. We try to add more ideas based on scientific foundations to the Palestinian society for the future of Palestine and Palestinians at home and in the diaspora.

• Excellence: Members are selected based on scientific, research and community excellence through a proven track record of scientific publications and community activities. They graduated from international academic institutions with a commitment to provide service to the Palestinian community at home and abroad.

• Focus: The Academy initiative focuses on activities of interest to young scientists, especially issues related to science and society, such as scientific communication, education and public policy.

• Provide a voice for young Palestinian researchers.

• Empower young researchers to participate in decision-making in Palestinian institutions, and network with decision-makers in and outside Palestine.

• Encourage communication of young Palestinian researchers with Arab and international institutions interested in science.

• Encourage young researchers to engage in cross and multi-disciplinary research.

• Enhance Palestinian resilience through science and technology.

1. The applicant must be Palestinian, of Palestinian origin, or works in a Palestinian academic/research institute.

2. The applicant should not be more than 40 years old at the time of application.

3. The applicant must have a PhD in natural science, engineering, medicine, humanities, political science, social science, applied science, or any field.

4. The applicant must have a PhD from a university that is internationally and locally recognised.

5. The applicant must be early-career researcher. At the time of application, the applicant should have earned the doctoral degree at least three years ago.

6. Be active in scientific research and have a track record of publications in international journals with high impact factor and top-tier conferences.

7. The applicant must be committed to making a positive impact to the Palestinian scientific community.

8. Have a proven track record of serving the community (e.g. outreach activities).

1. The selection process is made by the Selection Committee of the General Assembly through shortlisting, then selecting the successful candidates.

2. The two most important criteria for selection are academic and research excellence as well as activity and commitment to serve the Palestinian society.

3. In the selection process, geographical distribution is taken into account as the Academy includes scholars from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, the historical lands of Palestine as well as scholars in the diaspora.

4. A member can apply for a one-year membership freeze if s/he can not actively participate in the academy's activities.

5. Resignation from the Academy can be done through writing a signed resignation letter to the President of the Academy.

6. The resignation letter must be discussed and accepted or rejected within the Executive Board according to the By-Law.

7. The Executive Board may terminate membership if the member is found to have instigated violence, embezzled, falsified or have been charged with a misdemeanour relating to national, public or scientific ethics. Membership will be terminated through voting by the General Assembly.

• The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Academy, and it consists of all members of the Academy.

• The General Assembly is bound by the Academy’s By-law.

• The President and members of the Executive Board are bound by the resolutions of the General Assembly.

• The General Assembly is held once a year to welcome new members and elect the Executive Board or when an emergency meeting is necessary.

• Only those who attend the General Assembly meetings in person can vote.

1. Amending the By-Law of the Academy with the consent of two-thirds of the members.

2. Establishing regulations and laws for the Academy’s bodies.

3. Election of the Executive Board and President of the Academy.

4. Termination of a member's membership if the member harms the interests of the Academy, provided that s/he is allowed to defend herself/himself. Termination only takes place if two-thirds of the General Assembly members agreed upon it.

5. Making decisions aimed at strengthening the Academy in accordance with the Basic Law and the aspirations of the Palestinian society and its academic institutions.

6. The General Assembly is convened at least once a year at a place and time determined by the Executive Board and sends notice to everyone three months in advance.

7. The President and the Executive Board can announce an emergency plenary session, provided that two-thirds of the General Assembly members approve of the meeting.

8. Any proposal for discussion must be submitted in writing to the President one month before holding the General Assembly meeting.

9. The General Assembly has no right to make any decisions if two-thirds of the members do not attend.

10. The General Assembly issues its decisions based on the majority voting.

11. The General Assembly resolutions are recorded and sent to everyone within 15 days of decision-making.

12. The President of the Academy or her/his representative presides over annual meetings and the General Assembly meeting.

13. Only the Executive Board may invite graduates, employees, volunteers or designated persons to attend the General Assembly sessions.

• The Executive Board works to achieve the objectives of the Academy while taking into account the provisions of the By-Law.

• The Executive Board consists of the President of the Academy and five members.

• The Executive Board is responsible for developing the Academy's strategy.

• The Executive Board has the right to exercise all powers except those that need the resolutions of the General Assembly.

1. Determining the location and time of the General Assembly meetings.

2. Preparing the agenda of the General Assembly.

3. Implementing the resolutions of the General Assembly.

4. Securing funding for the Academy's activities.

5. Accrediting programs and academic activities.

6. Ensuring that actual spending is in line with the budget.

7. Approval of publications and statements issued by the Academy.

8. Raising funds and managing accounts as well as ensuring safety and the absence of expense corruption.

9. Establishing permanent or temporary committees within the Academy and appoint a chair and a secretary for the committee.

10. Nominating an advisory board as it deems appropriate.

11. Issuing the decisions of the Executive Board is done by majority voting.

12. Voting by email or a documented video phone call.

13. Failing to respond electronically in voting cases during the period determined by the Executive Board is considered to be an abstention.

14. No member has the right to vote for suspending her/his membership.

15. The Executive Board may suspend a member's membership if it harms the Academy's policy and objectives, with a vote to suspend the membership in full at the next General Assembly meeting.

16. The decisions and meetings of the Executive Board are recorded in official records, maintained and distributed to the rest of the members.

17. Members of the Executive Board could resign in writing to the President.

18. If the member who resigns from the Executive Board has remained in the office for more than four months, the sixth member with the most votes from the last elections of the General Assembly will be appointed.

19. An emergency General Assembly meeting will be held by the President to elect a new executive Board if the number of the resigned Executive Board members exceeds the half.

The permanent location of the Academy is Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine. The administrative headquarter of the Academy is the same as the headquarter of Palestine Academy of Science and Technology (PALAST) which is located in Ramallah.