News | QF Alumni Community
Qaddumi Foundation Explores Cooperation with University of Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute

July 6, 2025

The Qaddumi Foundation hosted a meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with representatives from Canada’s University of Waterloo to explore potential collaboration in the field of cooperative education (Co-op), a model in which the university is a recognized global leader.

The meeting brought together key representatives from Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute, including its Director, Anne-Marie Fannon, and the Executive Director of the Qaddumi Foundation, Rana Diab. They were joined by several members of the Foundation’s executive team and several academics from the Qaddumi alumni community.

Attendees were introduced to the cooperative education (Co-op) model through a comprehensive presentation. This model combines academic study with paid work experience across a diverse range of institutions. Each year, more than 25,000 students participate in this program, collaborating with over 7,000 employers, including prominent global companies.

The QF community of alumni shared insights into the current work-integrated learning model at Palestinian universities. They highlighted existing efforts, such as the two-month mandatory training programs and the unpaid cooperative model found in universities like Birzeit University. New initiatives are also emerging in some specialized fields, such as bioengineering at the Arab American University. However, participants acknowledged that these programs face significant challenges, including a limited local labor market, weak institutional ties with employers, and a shortage of diverse training opportunities.
As the meeting wrapped up, participants emphasized the necessity of creating educational programs that align with current labor market demands and encourage enduring partnerships between universities and the private sector. Several ideas were suggested to form a basis for future collaboration between the Qaddumi Foundation and the University of Waterloo.