The Deanship of Scientific Research at Al-Quds University, in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences (Al-Quds Bard), held the eighth Palestinian Undergraduate Research Conference. The event took place over two days through a combination of virtual and in-person sessions at the university’s main campus, with Palestinian, Arab, and international participation.
The conference, in its eighth edition, brought together undergraduate students and recent graduates from Palestinian, regional, and international universities to present distinguished scientific research across various disciplines. A total of 94 research projects were accepted out of 180 submissions. The conference served as a research forum bringing together a group of student researchers from universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as Arab students from universities in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt, in addition to notable regional participation from students in Turkey.
In the opening session, the President of Al-Quds University, Prof. Dr. Hanna Abdel Nour, welcomed participating students from universities across the West Bank and Gaza in particular, as well as researchers from Arab brotherly and friendly countries. He emphasized that the growing interest in scientific research under the current conditions in Palestine indicates that Palestinian youth are thinking strategically. He added: “Scientific research is the researcher’s message to serve their society and homeland, and it is reflected in the effort exerted to contribute to development, overcome hardship, and build a homeland that shines its light to the entire world.”
Prof. Dr. Abdel Nour also highlighted the university’s strong support for scientific research and researchers, aiming to reach broader horizons and achieve international publication, thereby elevating Palestine’s name through scientific production. He added: “Participation and publication are confirmations to the world that we are capable of contributing to development.”
For her part, the Dean of Scientific Research and Chair of the Conference, Prof. Ilham Al-Khatib, stated that this eighth edition of the conference confirms the transformation of students into active producers of knowledge. She described it as an invitation to believe in youth and embrace creativity under difficult circumstances, noting that the future is built through ideas and research. She added: “Our students; you are the true message of the conference, and you are the hope that makes us believe the future is better.”
Prof. Al-Khatib also noted that Al-Quds University students contributed during the 2024–2025 academic year with 62 scientific publications out of 421 publications affiliated with the university, while graduates successfully produced an additional 110 research publications. This, she emphasized, reflects that what the university offers is an integrated model of a productive and well-established research environment.
The Chair of the Conference and Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Al-Quds Bard, Dr. Amina Badran, affirmed that this day is significant for teaching and learning in Palestine. She described it as a strong example of investing in youth and the future, and building a culture of research on solid foundations to serve humanity and Palestine. She noted: “Here at Al-Quds University, we learned through dialogue, exchange of ideas, construction, and inference, which has resulted in creating a supportive environment for rigorous scientific research.”
The conference included virtual sessions on its first day featuring oral presentations and scientific posters. Topics focused on clinical research, digital health, medical education, public health and healthcare systems, pharmaceutical practice and rational use of antibiotics, nutrition and public health, literature and digital media, engineering, and urban planning.
The second day sessions covered clinical medicine and population health research, clinical and laboratory sciences and public health sciences, pharmacy, women’s health and clinical innovation, biomedical and molecular sciences, engineering and computer science, social sciences and development and innovation. Scientific posters also addressed biomedical sciences and liberal arts, engineering and computer science, and health and medicine.
It is worth noting that the conference has been held for eight consecutive years, jointly organized by the Deanship of Scientific Research and Al-Quds Bard College. It serves as a vital platform for promoting a culture of scientific research and innovation among undergraduate students. This year’s conference witnessed wide participation across diverse fields ranging from biomedical sciences to creative arts, with the contribution of 180 students representing seven Palestinian universities, including Gaza, in addition to regional participation from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
To view the results of the virtual sessions, click here.
You can also view the results of the in-person sessions here.
