This morning marked the inauguration of the training workshop titled “Promoting Innovative Educational Methodologies in Higher Education Institutions in Palestine,” aimed at academic staff from Palestinian universities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the National Authority for Accreditation, Quality and Standards of Higher Education Institutions.
The initiative is part of the programme “Multidisciplinary Intervention in Support of Gender Equality Education in Palestine,” funded by the Italian Cooperation, which aims to promote an inclusive and multidisciplinary approach within the national education system.
The event, hosted at the Ramallah campus of Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, also marked the launch of the first module of the training programme dedicated to “Artificial Intelligence and its Applications in Education, Assessment, and Scientific Research,” with a large participation of lecturers and researchers.
In his remarks, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Prof. Amjad Barham, stressed that technology today represents a fundamental pillar of the modern education system and a decisive factor in the evolution of academic life. He highlighted the need to further integrate it into teaching and learning processes in order to improve the quality of education and learning outcomes.
The Minister also drew attention to the critical conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which pose significant challenges to the education sector. He stressed the urgency of optimizing the use of technological tools, particularly in light of the severe damage caused by the war to educational institutions in Gaza and the mobility restrictions in the West Bank, which continue to hinder access for students and lecturers to schools and universities.
Prof. Barham further emphasized the importance of strengthening the use of artificial intelligence technologies in education and updating academic curricula to respond to rapid digital transformations, contributing to the development of transversal skills such as creativity and entrepreneurship, and enhancing youth employability.
The Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Jerusalem, Mirko Tricoli, recalled that the programme is part of a long-term strategic partnership with the Ministry aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Italy and Palestine in the fields of higher education and development. The training activities represent a valuable opportunity to strengthen the capacities of academic staff, particularly in integrating artificial intelligence technologies into teaching and scientific research. Investing in the development of academic capacities, he added, is a strategic lever for the future of younger generations.
The President of the National Authority for Accreditation and Quality of Higher Education Institutions, Dr. Muammar Ishtayyeh, noted that the training programme fully responds to national priorities for the development of higher education and scientific research. The programme is based on an in-depth analysis of labour market needs and the requirements for improving academic staff performance. He further explained that the workshop is part of an integrated national programme aimed at training trainers from various Palestinian academic institutions, contributing to sustainable capacity building and the systematic dissemination of knowledge.
The training programme is structured around five main areas:
- Artificial intelligence and its applications in education, assessment, and scientific research
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- High-level scientific publishing
- Credibility- and integrity-based assessment
- Innovative teaching methodologies
Particular attention has been given to integrating a gender perspective into the technical design of the programme, ensuring that each phase contributes concretely to promoting equal opportunities and a fully inclusive learning environment.
In closing, the President of Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, Prof. Hussein Shanak, reiterated the strategic importance of such initiatives for strengthening the skills of Palestinian academic staff and improving the quality of the educational process. He also confirmed the university’s full readiness to cooperate with the Ministry and all institutional partners in supporting the development of the higher education system in Palestine.
the end.
