Al-Quds University celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Dual Studies Program and honored the recipients of the 2025 Innovation Award during an official ceremony attended by over 200 public and private sector representatives, as well as the Ministry of Higher Education, German government, German Development Cooperation (GIZ), academic, and student representatives.
The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Amjad Barham, praised the program’s strategic role in strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian economy and in cultivating a generation capable of solving problems and driving change. He considers the program a national investment in human capital and a model of true partnership between academia and the labor market, providing students with the necessary professional skills.
Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishek noted that the Dual Studies Program is one of the university’s most significant educational innovations, combining theoretical study with practical applications directly related to market needs. He emphasized that the program’s expansion has always been thoughtful and based on genuine training opportunities.
He added, “The program faced challenges at first, but with the combined efforts of partners and stakeholders, the university was able to overcome them. Today, it is a resounding success.”
Dr. Hanna Abdelnour, the university president, emphasized that the program has transformed the structure of university education by integrating academic study with practical training within companies. This has contributed to the graduation of students who can compete, innovate, and integrate into the labor market. Dr. Abdelnour pointed out that this pioneering model reflects the university’s vision of providing a modern education that responds to the needs of society and the national economy. He congratulated the university and its partners on their success and excellence.
Mr. Marcel Veenhoven, Head of the Employment and Sustainable Access to Resources Sector at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), expressed his country’s appreciation for the partnership with Al-Quds University. He stressed that the model’s success came from the interaction of German expertise and Palestinian ambition, producing pioneering success stories.
The Dean of Dual Studies, Dr. Issam Ishaq, elaborated on the program’s origins, noting that it began as a modest initiative ten years ago and has since evolved into a pioneering national model. This transformation was made possible through the robust partnership between Al-Quds University, the Ministry of Education, German supporters, and over 300 national companies. Dr. Ishaq emphasized that the ceremony marks a significant milestone in the program’s journey, highlighting its success in aligning education with the demands of the labor market.
The ceremony included a panel discussion entitled “Dual Studies at Al-Quds University: Ten Years of Excellence,” moderated by Dr. Issam Ishaq and featuring: Minister of Education and Higher Education Prof. Dr. Amjad Barham; Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishek; Mr. Marcel Veenhoven from GIZ; Counselor Suad Sobh from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Jamal Jawabreh, Secretary General of the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; and Mr. Salim Al-Hudali from Bank of Palestine.
The ceremony also featured presentations of the five best graduation projects from the Dual Studies programs. These projects offered innovative solutions to companies in artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and engineering, where the students received their training. After the jury’s evaluation and audience vote, the top three projects were honored as winners of the 2025 Innovation Award for Dual Studies.
The ceremony concluded with a short film showcasing the Dual Studies program’s achievements over the past ten years. These achievements include establishing five accredited bachelor’s programs in business administration, information technology, and engineering; collaborating with 300 partner companies; enrolling nearly 900 students; graduating students with marketable skills; offering international exchange opportunities to 13% of students; and officially recognizing and integrating the program into the national higher education framework in 2021.
