Palestinian Securities Exchange, Jawwal sign agreement of exclusive sponsorship for "Stock Simulation" program

The program will be launched during March 2008 and will include in the first phase An-Najah National University, Bir Zeit University, and Al-Quds- Abu Deis University. It will also include all Palestinian universities in future.

Through this initiative, the PSE aims at integrating and providing new educational tools into universities that will improves students applied knowledge in the burse and stock exchanges, develop their analytical experiences and anticipation skills, in addition to improve their capacity in forming investment strategies and how to invest in stock markets.

The PSE also aims to promote students' awareness in portfolio managements and investment decisions through hand on job training via virtual trading environment that simulates real trading environments.

Mr. Ahmad Aweidah, the CEO of PSE, confirmed that the PSE is currently finalizing the arrangements needed to launch the "Stock Simulation" program pointing out that this program is considered a paramount breakthrough in the form and content of PSE social responsibility towards the Palestinian community: it also represents a further expansion in PSE investor education program.

Mr. Aweidha added:

"Signing the one-year sponsorship agreement with Jawwal comes out of both parties' interest in developing and enhancing the capacities of the Palestinian youth, and their pursuit to reinforce and invest in the human capital especially university students being its basic pillar. It also comes in line with our wish to orient our social corporate responsibility strategy for universities being the main supplier of labor market in Palestine."

He also expressed the need for programs that translate text books and curricula theories in actual practical experience.

The Director General of Jawwal, Ammar Aker explained their interest in "Stock Simulation" program since its goals matches with Jawwal's efforts in enhancing capacities and experience of university students.

Aker said, "In deed Jawwal has undertaken several initiatives through a number of projects and activities directed to students and the youth, inter alia establishing sales outlets at several Palestinian universities, and training students on running these outlets, so they get the chance to practice theories they study."

He added that Jawwal sees the youth as the engine that brings about the community development and growth, therefore Jawwal always ensures that its services, programs, campaigns and initiatives are in line with students' needs and potentials. He also reiterated that Jawwal continues to serve the youth and help them improve as this is the way it sees its social responsibility towards its community.

The PSE will hold a press conference to announce the launching date of "Stock Simulation" program later in few weeks announcing programs details, the awards allocated, and its role towards building university students' capacities in this context.

It is worth mentioning that the PSE collaborated with Al Isra' Programming and IT company to build and develop the new software "Stock Simulation", which is the first initiative fully developed by Palestinian expertise. It is expected that this program will be of high interest of Arab and regional securities exchanges due its potentials.