1. WASIM Al-KURDI
Edward Said Street, Al-Masyoun
Mobile: +972 2 (0) 59318178
Home: 009722960364
Email: wasim@qattanfoundation.org

2. CURRICULUM VITAE
FIELDS OF INTEREST:
- Writing: Poetry, Articles, Research, Art & Cultural Criticism, Newspaper
Columns, Songs and Scripts
- Drama and Theater in Education - Storytelling
- Education and Schooling - Social & Cultural Voluntary work
- Cultural and Educational
Editorials
- Cultural Festivals
- Evaluation & Assessment:
Curriculum and teacher training
programs
- Editing
- Arabic Language and Literature - Dance
BORN:
June 24, 1960, Jerusalem, Palestine
EDUCATION:
University of Central England in Birmingham, UK:
• Master’s Degree in Drama in Education (with Distinction) (2001)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Drama in Education- Summer School Rout (1999)
Hebron University, Palestine:
BA Degree in Arabic Language and Literature (1986)
Lutheran School, Beit Hanina, Palestine:
Industrial Secondary School Diploma (1979)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development (QCERD)/A.M.
Qattan Foundation, Ramallah, Palestine (2000 – Present):
2

3. http://www.qattanfoundation.org/en/qcerd
• Director of QCERD (2005 – Present)
The Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development (QCERD) is one of the
three main programmes of A.M. Qattan Foundation. It aims to participate in raising the
standards of education and teaching in Palestine through engaging directly with school
teachers. It provides teachers with opportunities, resources and an environment in which
they can expand their knowledge and improve their teaching methods, through different
programmes:
1. Professional Development: Drama in a Learning Context, Early Childhood,
Animation, Cinema in Education, Project Based Learning, Professional
Development in Gaza, Culture and Arts in the Community, Integrative Learning
and Science Education.
2. Community Learning Spaces: Teachers’ Centre/Ni’leen, Teachers’ Forums
across Palestine, Nowar Nissan Festival in partnership with the Municipality of
Ramallah (2015), Educational Conference.
3. Resources: Ru’a Tarbawiyya Periodic Magazine, Qattan Library in Ramallah and
Gaza, Translation Project, published books, Teachers’ scholarships, an
International Teachers’ Exchange Programme, Memberships in International
Networks.
4. New Initiatives: Science Interactive Centre and an Exemplary School.
• Academic Director (and Founder) of the Drama in a Learning Context
Summer School, Jerash, Jordan (2007 – Present)
A short film about the Drama Summer School, 2013:
https://vimeo.com/72423390
• Trainer at the Drama in a Learning Context Summer School, Jerash,
Jordan (2007 – Present)
• Acting Director of QCERD (2005 – 2006)
• Research, Publications and Programme Coordinator (2000 – 2004)
- Educational Network, Ramallah Friends Boys School (1991 – 2000):
• Director (1999 – 2000)
• General Coordinator (1997 – 1999)
• Coordinator (1990 – 1997)
• Administrative & Managerial Supervisor for the Learning Through Art Project
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4. (1991 – 2000)
- Ramallah Friends Boys School, Palestine (1991 – 1999):
http://www.palfriends.org/
• Arabic Language & Literature Teacher (1991 – 1999)
• Creative Writing Teacher (1997- 1999)
• Administrative & Managerial Supervisor for the Science Experiment Book For
Children of Ages between 8-14 (1995 – 1996)
- Director of Palestine Popular Arts Centre (1990)
http://www.popularartcentre.org/
- Arabic Language & Literature Teacher at Roman Orthodox School, al-
Taybeh, Palestine (1986 – 1989)
- Arabic Language & Literature Teacher at Ramallah Preparatory
Government School, Ramallah, Palestine (1986)
- Administrator at Chamber of Commerce, Palestine (1979)
COURSES:
- Typing & Accounting Skills at the Vocational Training Centre, Ramallah,
Palestine, 1981 (9 months)
- Community Management at the Charitable Society Union, Jerusalem, Palestine
1986 (one week)
- How to Write a Scenario at the National Theater, Jerusalem, Palestine, 1989 (one
week)
- The Process of Writing at Tamer Institute for Community Education, Ramallah,
Palestine, 1991 (16 hours)
- Drama and Theater in Education at the Summer school (UCE) Birmingham, UK,
1996 - 2000 (60 hours)
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5. RESEARCH:
- Evaluation Research – Discourse Analyses (Stories in New Palestinian Text
Books), published by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and
Development/A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2004
- Action Research – Reflection, Questions, Introduction of Meaning through
Narration, published by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and
Development/A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2001
- Proposal of programs and activities for The Palestinian Ministry of Culture in
relation to the Ministry of Education, NGO's, UNRWA, and UNICEF, 1995
- "Description and Priorities of the Palestinian Cultural Centres” Proposal
presented to the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, 1996
- Evaluation of a Palestinian Summer Camp Experience/ UNCEF, 1995
- Participated in the Development of a Comprehensive Plan of the Palestinian
Curriculum in General Education, and the evaluation of Jordanian and Egyptian
Arabic Curriculum of grades between 7-12, Palestinian Curriculum Development
Centre, 1996
- “I’m Listening to your Voice” – Building Dialogue through re-structuring the
context of the story using classroom drama (for youth), 1997
- Transforming Poetry to Drama, exploring various perspectives of history in a
poetic text and deepening and broadening life’s vision and the ability to create
dialogue and transform it into a theatrical text through the construction of a series
of dramatic scenes based on the Image Theatre (for youth), 1998
EDITING:
- Chief Editor of Ru’a Tarbawiyya (Educational Vision) Magazine (with over 50
issues until now) (2000 – present)
http://demo.qattanfoundation.org/en/rua-tarbawiyya-magazine
5

6. - Referee at the National Association for Teaching Drama - NATD Journal, UK
- Co-editor of the Nakhleh al-Shiber column in al-Quds newspaper, (1992 – 1995)
- Co-editor of the Educational Affairs column in al-Quds newspaper, (1991 – 1999)
- Consultant of Yara’at Column (Youth’s writing) in al-Ayyam Newspaper, (1999
– 2003)
- Chief Editor at Al-Katib Magazine, (1994 – 1996)
- Editing Board Member at al-Katib Magazine, (1990 – 1995)
- Editor at Dar al-'Awda Publishers (a branch of the Palestinian Office for Press
Services, Salah al-Deen Street, East Jerusalem), (1989 - 1990)
GAVE TRAINING ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
- Learning & Teaching Through Arts
- Media Education
- Education and Politics
- Culture in Social Contexts
- Integrative Learning
- Active learning
- Drama in a Learning Context
- Writing and Creative Writing
TRANSLATION (from English to Arabic):
- The Zone of Proximal Development (Educational Theory - Lev Vygotsky)
published in the 15th
issue of Ru’a Tarbawiyya Magazine, 2004.
- The Rooster Who Went to His Uncle’s Wedding (Story by Alma Flor Ada),
published in Arabic by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and
Development/A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2015.
- How Frog Went to Heaven (A Tale of Angola) published in Arabic by Qattan
6

7. Centre for Educational Research and Development/A.M. Qattan Foundation,
2015.
- The Seal Wife (traditional story) from English to Arabic published in Arabic
by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/A.M. Qattan
Foundation and Dar al-Ahlia, 2016.
- The Child Forest (a story for children) from English to Arabic published in
Arabic by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/A.M. Qattan
Foundation and Dar al-Ahlia, 2016.
- The Butterfly (short story –Native American Story) published in Arabic by
Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/A.M. Qattan
Foundation and Dar al-Ahlia, 2016.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Co-authored a Report on the Palestinian Education System produced by the
Higher Committee for Reviewing the Education System in Palestine, 2015,
(of which Al-Kurdi is a member), which was published in Ru’a Tarbawiyya
Periodical magazine, in the double issue 48-49.
- “al-Mawrouth Athaqafi” (Cultural Heritage) ( ) a Booklet proposing a context
for teaching Culture for children in basic education, published by RIWAQ Centre
for Architectural Conservation, Palestine, 2013
- “al-Kalam Wa Tahreer al-Ma’na” (Speech & Liberation of Meaning) ( ):
Textual, Educational & Dramatic Teaching and Learning Approaches to the play
“Elephant, O’King of all Time”, written by Sa’dallah Wannous, and used in the
new Palestinian curriculum textbooks, published by Qattan Centre for
Educational Research and Development/ A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2007
http:/www.qattanfoundation.org/ar/speech-liberation-meaning
- Co-authoring “Mukhayilat al-Hikaya Fe Estikshaf al-Qissa wa Entaj Al-
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8. Ma’na” (Narrative Imagination in Exploring the Story and Producing
Meaning) ( ) (for teachers) “On new Palestinian Curriculum textbooks criticism
& new approach for learning & teaching”, published by Qattan Centre for
Educational Research and Development/ A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2005
http://www.qattanfoundation.org/ar/narrative-imagination-production-meaning
- “al-Mishkaleyah: Nahwa Hewar Hewari” (Kaleidoscopic: from Single Voice
to Multiple Voices)
In Light of Dialogic Theory and the Use of Dramatic Context - “Empirical Experience
with youth in the creation of dialogic and polyphonic oral and written speech genres”
published by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/ A.M. Qattan
Foundation, 2003
http://www.qattanfoundation.org/ar/dispute-dialogue
- “Rejal Fel Shams – Hudour al-Nas Wa Gheyaboh” (Men in the Sun – the
Presence and Absence of the Text) ( ): Critical Curriculum study (for teachers),
published by Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/ A.M.
Qattan Foundation, 2002
http://www.qattanfoundation.org/ar/men-in-the-sun-presence-text-absence
- “Indifa' al-Kalimat” (The Burst of words) (), a guide for parents and teachers
on developing children's written expression skills, published by Tamer Institute,
1994
- At-tarbiya al-fanniya fi at-ta'leem al-Madrassi (Art education in schools in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip), ( ) a survey published by the Educational
Network, 1993
PAPERS AND ARTICLES:
- “Inquiry into Teachers’ Reflections: An Experience of Dramatic Exploration and
8

9. Aesthetic/Artistic Production”, which was presented in NYU Forum on
Educational Theatre (21 – 24 April, 2016).
- “The Oscillating Image: Between the Opening of the Imagination and its
Deconstruction”, Third Text -Vol 20 Issue ¾, May/July, published by Routledge:
Taylor and Francis Group, 2006
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09528820600855378
- Memory – Violence in Speech and Visual Images (Children Writings and
Drawings) Conference on Violence, Memory and Mutual Understanding- The
Goethe Institute International in Ramallah - November 28 & 30, 2002
- I'm listening to your (voice) - Building Dialogue through re-structuring the
context of the story using classroom drama, 1998
- Isharat fi 'ala'iq al-'ibda' bil-turath as-sha'abi - malamih min al tajruba al-
masrahiyya al-falastiniyya', (Allusions of the Relations between Creativity and
Popular Art - Characteristics of the Palestinian Theatre Experience), published in
1995 and presented in the Cairo Scientific Forum for Arabic Theater, Cairo, 1994
- Dawr at-turath asha'abi fi al-thaqafeh al-falastiniyya (The role of popular heritage
in Palestinian Culture), a conference paper presented in the "Palestinian Culture
Project" Conference, held in Nazareth, 1992
- Istilham at-turath as-sha'abi fi al-'ibda' al-fanni (The inspiration of popular
heritage in artistic creation), published in the book 'Palestinian Popular Arts -
Challenges', published by the Popular Revival Centre, 1986; presented in the
Jerusalem International Conference for Palestinian Popular Arts, Jerusalem, 1987
TRAINER OF FOLLOWING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS:
- Writing and Drama Workshop at the National Association for the Teaching of
Drama Conference, Oxford, UK, 2013
- Drama as a Context for Writing (with Narratives NGO Dramatic Art and
9

10. Language in Learning, Dialogue and Development) Greece, 2009
- Drama and Art Form (for Art Education teachers) Centre of Continuing
Education, Birzeit University, 2007
- Creating Stories through Drama and Multimedia (for children) Experimental
course, Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development/A.M. Qattan
Foundation, (2007 – present)
- Drama Education for people with special needs – Course within summer courses
(for teachers in special needs) – Qattan Centre for Education Research and
Development, Jericho, 2007
- The Third Meaning: A Woman and her Olive Tree, a workshop given during the
6th
Theatre/Drama Education Network Conference, 2006
- Culture and Diversity – a one-day workshop (for youth), organized by the
British Consulate, Ramallah, 2004
- Drama as a Subject, Introductory workshop, a two months program (for art
teachers) at Palestine Technical College, Ramallah, 2004
- Drama and Improvisation, a one-week program (for young actors and drama
teachers) during Jordan Amman Theater Days (Al-Fawanees Theater Company),
Jordan, 2001
- Storytelling and Drama for Early Childhood - Experimental Project with Friends
Schools Kindergarten, Ramallah, (2003 – present)
- Drama and Storytelling, an Introductory one-week program (for teachers and
librarians) in Lebanon, (2001, 2002, 2003)
- Integrative Learning using Drama as a Learning Context, a one-week program
(for teachers) at the Creative Teacher Centre, Ramallah, 2003
- Drama and Stories – a program for Kindergarten teachers, at the Early
Childhood Resource Centre, in Ramallah & Nablus, 2000
- Integrative Learning using Drama as a Learning Context, a two-week program
10

11. (for teachers) during the Summer School – Qattan Centre For Educational
Research and Development/A.M. Qattan Foundation, 2000
- Improvisation and Writing, a three-month project with young people (14-18).
Organized by Tamer Institute, 1999
- Enriching Language through Reading Children Literature, a three-month
program with 4th
& 5th
graders at Ramallah Girls Primary School (UNRWA) in
cooperation with Tamer Institute for Community Education, (1997 - 1998)
- Writing Stories Through Drama, a three-month project with children at al-
Jalazon Girls School (al-Jalazon Refugee Camp), 1999
- Writing Stories Through Drama, a four-month project with children at The
Young Scientists’ Club, Ramallah, 1998
- Writing Features, (for press media students) at the Media Centre at Birzeit
University, 1998
- Introductory Writing Workshops, (for teachers) at Women's Studies Centre in
1993, and Tamer Institute and al-Haq Institute in 1994
- Stories as a Context for Learning in Kindergarten and First Grade, a project with
Ramallah Girls School and other schools, (2007 – 2008)
- Encouraging Reading Program, a three-month project with Ramallah Girls
School, 1998
- Supervisor of Encouraging Children to Read Stories Project, 1997-1998
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS:
- IDIERI: The International Drama in Education Research Institute Conference,
Singapore, 30 June – 5 July, 2015
The International Drama in Education Research Institute, organized by the
UNESCO-NIE Centre for Arts Research in Education took place at the National
Institute of Education, Singapore in Singapore, Singapore. The conference
11

12. covered areas like open culture advocates for contemporary cultures to be
simultaneously rooted in situated histories and open to multiple influences,
without fear of dissolution or loss of identity.
- Exploratorium, Fundamentals of Inquiry Workshop, Institute for Inquiry, San
Francisco, 20 - 24 October, 2014
Institute for Inquiry® workshops immerse participants in the process of science
inquiry. Tailored to the needs and experiences of participants, each workshop is
crafted to provide powerful and transformative experiences that address essential
features of inquiry teaching and learning as well as common misconceptions
about inquiry—that it is content-less and structure-less.
- Ecsite Annual Conference, Trento, Italy, 11-13 June, 2014.
It gathered 1,101 participants from 52 different countries, making it the largest
Ecsite Annual Conference ever. Ecsite’s vision is to foster creativity and critical
thinking in European society, emboldening citizens to engage with science.
- SCWS2014: Science Centre World Summit 17-19 March in Mechelen, Belgium,
2014
- NATD, The National Association for the Teaching of Drama Conference on "Early
Childhood in Palestine: A New Perspective with Drama", UK, 2012
- NATD, The National Association for Teaching Drama Conference, on “Drama in
Education in Palestine”, Oxford, 2013
- The Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (the 5th Athens International
Theatre/Drama & Education Conference), 2006
- Eye to Eye: The Global Conference on the Future of Cultural Relations, organized
by the British Council and Counterpoint, London, 2004
- A Conference on Theatre Writing, Adaptation and Documentation in Palestine-
Informel Européen Théâtre Meeting, Brussels, Belgium, 2003
- The International Annual Conference for National Association for Teaching
12

13. Drama – NATD, 2003
- Big Brum International Youth Festivale and Workshops (OCCUPYING MINDS)
for youth theatre workers and drama teachers, organized by Big Brum Theatre in
Education Company, Birmingham, UK, 2003
- Arab Educational Forum, Jordan, 2002
- The Agadeer Festival for Storytelling, Ebn Zuhr University, 2002
- Conference on Violence, Memory and Mutual Understanding, organized by The
Goethe Institute International in Ramallah, 2002
- The International Conference on Researching Drama and Theatre in Education,
University of Exeter, UK, 2002
- The International Conference on Theatre for Social Development “People in
Movement”, held by the International Centre for Theater in Education and The
Performing Arts Centre, Jordan, 2000
- The Jerusalem International Conference for Palestinian Popular Arts, Jerusalem,
1987
POETRY:
- Naseej Annar (The Weave of Fire) ()
Collection of poetry published by the Writers Union, 1996
- 'Huna awalu al-bar' (Here is the first of the mainland) ()
Collection of poetry published by the Writers Union, 1991
- Wazdana bahruki bil-henna (Your sea is adorned with henna) ()
Collection of poetry published by the Writers Union, 1989
SONGS:
- Huzariaya, Aghani Shakhra – satire lyrics, orchestrated with a contrastive style
music, in a CD produced by El-funoun Dance Troupe. 2014
13

14. - 'Ainaki, Ghaza et - Songs for the first cassette of the Washem Music Band –
Jerusalem, 1998
- Natreen Faraj' - Songs for the production of Natreen Faraj (play) of the Sanabel
Theatre Group, Jerusalem, 1984
SCRIPTS:
- Asheera - A lyrical show, by El-funoun Dance Troupe, 2014
- Feel Almalek (the elephant of the king ) - A lyrical show for youth, by The
National Conservatory of Music, Birzeit University, 1994
- Fawanees, a lyrical show for children, by The National Conservatory of Music,
by Birzeit University, 1991
- Marj bin 'amer, a lyrical and dance show by el-Funoun Dance Troupe, written in
1989 and subsequently performed in over 150 occasions, including a tour in the
USA and the Jerash Festival in Jordan, 1994
- J'bainah, a lyrical and dance show by the First Sarriya Group of Ramallah for
Popular Arts, which was written in 1990, and performed in over 70 occasions,
including the Babel Festival in Iraq, 1994
THEATRE AND DANCE ADAPTATIONS:
- Wadi al-Tuffah, by el-Funoun Dance Troupe, 1984
- Mash'al, by el-Funoun Dance Troupe, 1986
- Lawhat Falasteeniya, by el-Funoun Dance Troupe, 1993
DABKEH (TRADITIONAL PALESTINIAN DANCING):
- Dancer at el-Funoun Dance Troupe, (1979 – 1984)
- Trainer at el-Funoun Dance Troupe, (1979 –1984) & at the Palestinian Woman
Committee, 1979
14

15. MEMBERSHIPS:
- Board Member at the Palestinian Culture Fund, Ministry of Culture, Palestine, in
co-operation with Norwegian Government (2004 – 2007)
- National Association for Teaching Drama - NATD Journal (2002 – present)
- Popular Art Centre: Head of the Administrative Committee (2003 – present),
Head of the Board of Trusties, (1998-2003), Head of the Administrative
Committee, (1995-present), Co-founder and Member of the Administrative
Board, (1987-1995)
- El-Funoun Dance Troupe: Co-founder, Writer, and Member of the
Administrative Board, (1979 – present)
- Member of the Consultant Theater Committee, Ministry of Culture, 2000
- Palestinian Writers Union (1984 – present)
- Member of the Executive Board of the Palestinian National Theatre, Jerusalem,
(1987 – present)
- Member of the Board of Trustees at Tamer Institute for Community Education,
(1992 – 1995)
- Member of the Committee for “New themes for New Era” International Writers’
Conference, Palestinian Writers Union, Birziet University, 1997
- Member of the Organizing Committee of the Jerusalem International Conference
for Palestinian Popular Arts, Jerusalem, 1987
SKILLS:
- Languages:
Arabic: Mother Tongue.
English: Intermediate.
Hebrew: Fair
15

16. - Computer skills: Proficient with Microsoft Word, al-Katib, al-Nashir, Excel,
Windows XP, Microsoft Office Publisher, Power Point, Charter, Visio, Page
Maker and Internet.
- Editing: Edited a large variety of books and publications (see above)
- Organization and Co-ordination: Participated in the organization and
administration of a large number of productions, publications, shows, festivals
and workshops.
- Teaching: Taught a variety of subjects, mostly related to language and writing.
VOLUNTARY WORK:
- Palestinian International Arts Festival for Music and Dance, Birzeit, Ramallah
(member of the Higher Committee) in 1993, 1994, 1995 &1996
- Ministry of Culture: Member of the Consultant Theater Committee, 2000
- Summer Camp: Organizer of the Children Summer Camp of ages between 4-14
years at the Friends Community of Charitable Society, el-Bireh, 1986.
- A member of the Palestinian Scout (el-Bireh First Group and el-Bireh Youth
Organization) 1970-1980
- A Member of the Voluntary Work Committees at el-Bireh and Ramallah, (1975-
1987)
WORKS IN PROGRESS:
- Drama on the Edge, Research
- The Dancing Site, a Play
- A New Poetry Collection
- Learning Through Images
REFERNCES:
16

17. 1. Dr. Fouad Moughrabi
Former Head of the UTC Department of Political Science
Fouad-Moughrabi@utc.edu
2. Dr. André Elias Mazawi
Professor at the Faculty of Education Department of Educational Studies
The University of British Columbia
Andre.Mazawi@ubc.ca
3. Ms. Samar Dudin
Regional Director and Head of Programs
Ruwwad Al Tanmeya, Amman, Jordan
samar.dudin@ruwwad.jo
4. Ms. Serene Huleileh
Board Member at The Arab education Forum
s.huleileh@gmail.com
5. Dr. Munir Fasheh
Founder of Tamer Institute for Community Education
Founder of the Arab Education Forum within Harvard University's Center for
Middle Eastern Studies
mfasheh@yahoo.com
6. Dr. Khalil Mahshi
Senior Consultant – UNICEF Jordan
k.mahshi@iiep.unesco.org
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