Under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Mahmoud Abu Mwais, Al-Quds Open University concluded the “Joint PhD Program Development and Research Enhancement in Computer Science” project in collaboration with Georgia State University, supported by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. The university officially announced the launch of this joint PhD program in Computer Science on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society headquarters.
The President of Al-Quds Open University, Prof. Samir Najdi, welcomed the attendees and expressed pride in this achievement, thanking the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for their support in advancing higher education in Palestine. Prof. Najdi described the PhD program with Georgia State University as a milestone in the university’s journey to enhance academic excellence and build global partnerships.
He added that such programs strengthen the university’s competitiveness, elevate its status in higher education, and offer a unique academic experience that prepares students for the challenges of the rapidly changing global economy.
Ms. Carissa Gonzalez, Diplomatic Consul at the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs, stated that “this celebration marks the culmination of a three-year journey, resulting in a sustainable partnership that will contribute valuable academic research and foster a new generation of talented Palestinian graduates in computer science.”
In a recorded message, Dr. Raj Sundaraman, Director of the Computer Science Department at Georgia State University, expressed pride in the partnership with Al-Quds Open University and thanked the university team and partners for their dedicated efforts.
The project director, Dr. Nael Abu Halawa, spoke about the major milestones achieved over the past three years, resulting in a comprehensive academic program open to all, and expressed hope that it would help achieve sustainable development goals and address the needs of the Arab and Palestinian communities.
This three-year project was implemented by the Faculty of Technology and Applied Sciences and the Continuing Education Center at Al-Quds Open University, in cooperation with Georgia State University. It is the first of its kind in Palestine, aiming to strengthen knowledge and skills in an increasingly globalized world. The program also promotes collaborative research between Al-Quds Open University and Georgia State University and includes faculty capacity-building through advanced training.
This event coincided with the closing ceremony of the “REACH” project, led by the Islamic University of Gaza since 2019, in partnership with nine universities, including five Palestinian and four from the European Union. The project aimed to enhance cross-border freelance employment opportunities for Palestinian university graduates and support higher education institutions in empowering Palestinian youth to work on digital platforms. Prof. Samir Najdi praised the outcomes of the REACH project, emphasizing the university’s commitment to integrating academic education with remote freelancing, which enables Palestinian graduates to develop skills that prepare them for the global job market. The REACH project has provided Palestinian youth with access to international employment opportunities through freelancing platforms, enhancing their career prospects amidst local job market challenges.
During the conference, a special session was held to present the stages and outcomes of the “REACH” project, which aims to support Palestinian youth in cross-border digital freelancing. The session highlighted the project’s valuable contributions to developing the professional skills of Palestinian graduates and its integration with the PhD program.
