Professor Orly Shapira-Lishchinsky Leads Collaboration Between Bar-Ilan University's Faculty of Education and the Open University of Cyprus
Prof. Orly Shapira-Lishchinsky, Head of the Institute for Social Integration and a lecturer in the Leadership and Management of Educational Systems program at the Faculty of Education, spearheaded collaborative efforts with the Open University of Cyprus during her visit from January 7–11, 2024, as part of the Erasmus+ International Mobility Program.
How can we retain quality educators? What are the best approaches to professional development for teachers in Israel and around the world? These questions, among others, were central to Prof. Shapira-Lishchinsky’s visit.
During her stay, she also held meetings with:
- Prof. Petros Pashiardis, Rector of the Open University of Cyprus
- Prof. Antonios Kafa, Head of the Leadership and Educational Policy Program
- School principals, inspectors, and policymakers
The discussions emphasized strategies for retaining educators during both routine and crisis periods. Additionally, Prof. Shapira-Lishchinsky delivered lectures for students and provided consultation sessions for graduate student supervision.
A highlight of the visit was a hybrid lecture titled: "How to Retain Quality Educators: International Approaches to Teachers’ Professional Development." The lecture compared the educational systems of Israel and Cyprus, incorporating international research and data. Diverse strategies for teacher retention were proposed, addressing:
- Individual teacher levels
- School-level initiatives
- National education policies
The lecture was attended by representatives from:
- Cyprus Educational Administration Society
- Council of Cyprus Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education
- School principals, inspectors, policymakers, faculty members, and master’s and doctoral students in the Leadership and Educational Policy program at the Open University of Cyprus
Prof. Shapira-Lishchinsky also participated in discussions about enhancing collaboration between universities. The focus was on:
- Building a consortium for HORIZON program applications
- Developing an international curriculum in educational leadership through the Erasmus Mundus Programme
Both initiatives are supported by European funding.
To conclude the visit, a meeting was held with Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Oren Anolik. The meeting highlighted opportunities for collaboration, such as educational tourism between the two countries' educational systems. Prof. Shapira-Lishchinsky emphasized that such activities reinforce international support during Israel’s challenging times.
Link to Prof. Orly Shapira-Lishchinsky's recorded lecture
Last Updated Date : 26/01/2025
