Under the patronage of Minister Barham,Palestine Ahliya University launches the proceedings of the Second International Conference entitled:”Education for Innovation in the Digital Age: Enhancing a Culture of Knowledge Production”
Bethlehem –Monday 21/7/2025, Palestine Ahliya University, under the patronage and participation of Prof. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and in partnership with the Association of Arab Universities, inaugurated the Second International Conference titled “Education for Innovation in the Digital Age: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge Production” at the Bethlehem Conference Palace.
The opening of the conference was attended by the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammad Taha; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Palestine Ahliya University, Dr. Dawood Al-Zeer; the Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama; the President of Palestine Ahliya University, Prof. Imad Al-Zeer; the President of the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions, Dr. Muammar Shtaiwi ; the Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Development Affairs, Dr. Shadi Al-Hilu; the Secretary of the Higher Education Council, Dr. Muheeb Abu Louha; and the General Manager of Al-Ahliya Insurance Company, Mr. Ayman Al-Sabbah. The event also welcomed a number of university presidents and representatives, directors of educational institutions, representatives of the private sector, and civil society organizations, as well as an esteemed panel of experts and specialists, with the support of the Ahliya Insurance Company.
The conference was inaugurated with the Palestinian national anthem, followed by a one-minute silence and the recitation of Al-Fātiḥah in honor of the souls of the nation’s martyrs.
In turn, Prof. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education, affirmed that any discussion about the current state of higher education in Palestine cannot be separated from the ongoing challenges and aggression faced by our educational institutions—particularly in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem—yet we take great pride in the cumulative achievements realized through determination and resilience.
He also noted that the occupier’s targeting of scholars and academic institutions in Gaza, along with its attempts to shut down schools in Jerusalem and deny our children their right to education, clearly reveals that this enemy fully understands the power of education and fears the emergence of Palestine, with its pioneering talents, on the global stage.
Despite these conditions, Dr. Barham explained that Palestinian universities have persisted in fulfilling their educational mission even under the darkest of circumstances. He noted that Gaza’s virtual learning labs continued to operate despite the siege, and highlighted a particularly inspiring example: the General Secondary School Examinations (Tawjihi) were postponed several times to safeguard students’ welfare, and were ultimately conducted online last Saturday with a participation rate exceeding 90%. This remarkable achievement, in the midst of killing, destruction, and hunger, stands as a testament to the Palestinian people’s unwavering commitment to education.
He affirmed that Palestinian universities keep pace with technological advancements and have established business incubators that invest in students’ minds and ideas, noting that these start-up projects—though not yet major companies—nevertheless reflect a fertile environment for creativity and innovation.
He said, “We operate as a unified team, guided by a national spirit and strategic future planning, and we are committed to strengthening and supporting vocational and technical education, as well as enhancing productive applied scientific research that responds to the needs of vital sectors such as health, agriculture, and services.”
Barham pointed out that the Ministry has launched several initiatives under the framework of education for development, creativity, and innovation, praising this conference and stressing the importance of translating its outcomes into practical, actionable recommendations.
He concluded his address by stating: “Creativity is born from the crucible of suffering, and our graduates serve as ambassadors of excellence at the world’s leading universities. We must continue moving forward, not look back—for the future is built with willpower, and the true investment lies in the minds of our sons and daughters.”
In his address, Prof. Imad Al-Zeer welcomed the audience, expressing his pride in the convening of this conference at a time that calls for concerted efforts to elevate education and reinforce its role in driving development.
Prof. Al-Zeer pointed out that the conference attracted more than one hundred scholarly and research papers submitted by researchers and academics. Following a rigorous peer-review process, thirty-two of these papers were accepted and organized into four main themes: Education, Innovation, Digital Transformation, and advanced Technologies.
He emphasized that this surge in scholarly activity reflects the growing commitment to advancing the higher education system and embodies the strategic orientation toward harnessing knowledge and scientific research in the service of society.
He added, “We look forward to substantive contributions that enrich the dialogue on the current state of education and technology and help to outline the contours of a productive, adaptable educational future—one capable of keeping pace with contemporary changes and of building a sustainable knowledge-based economy.”
Mr. Ayman Al-Sabbah, for his part, affirmed that the company’s sponsorship of the “Education for Innovation in the Digital Age” conference stems from a deep-seated belief that innovation is a cornerstone of progress and development, and that education is the most essential means of planting the seeds of innovation in the minds of future generations.
Al-Sabbah stated that: “At Al-Ahliya Insurance Company, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond providing insurance services; it also encompasses supporting community and educational initiatives that contribute to building a brighter future for our nation and its youth.
He explained that innovation is no longer optional but has become an existential imperative for any institution seeking to survive and compete in a world experiencing unprecedented acceleration in technological advancement and transformation.
Mr. Al-Sabbah also outlined a suite of innovative services and products the company has launched, as well as its future plans to introduce new solutions. He emphasized that the company’s investment in innovation is not confined to technology alone but also encompasses the development of human resources and the strengthening of effective partnerships with academic institutions and research centers—such as Palestine Ahliya University.
He concluded by reaffirming Al-Ahliya Insurance Company’s commitment to remaining a genuine partner in supporting the journey of innovation, education, and development in Palestine, driven by its belief in the importance of investing in people and knowledge as the foundation for building a prosperous and sustainable future.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama expressed his pride in participating in the conference “Education for Innovation in the Digital Age,” emphasizing that its timing carries profound symbolism, reflecting the steadfast resolve of Arab academic institutions to advance toward an educational future that promotes a culture of innovation and knowledge generation.
He noted that the conference theme represents a critically important milestone in an era of rapid technological and epistemological transformation. This context necessitates an educational environment capable of fostering creativity and bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application through university incubators and strategic partnerships with industrial sectors.
He pointed out that education is no longer merely a process of information transmission; rather, it has evolved into a comprehensive system aimed at cultivating critical thinking skills, promoting autonomous learning, and fostering entrepreneurial spirit.
Prof. Salama reviewed the experiences of leading international universities as exemplars of how higher education institutions empower students to enter the entrepreneurial arena. He cited Stanford University, renowned for having incubated major tech companies; the American University of Beirut, which has contributed to the establishment of over 100 start-ups; and King Saud University, which provides financial grants aimed at transforming student ideas into viable, real-world ventures.
Additionally, he affirmed that the Association of Arab Universities plays a pivotal role in advancing the digital transformation agenda through targeted initiatives that address current challenges and anticipate future needs, stressing that such values can only be nurtured within an educational environment that embraces cutting-edge technologies and actively fosters innovation and knowledge production.
He concluded his speech by reaffirming the Association’s readiness to adopt the conference’s recommendations and to proceed with supporting implementation plans and forging sustainable partnerships among Arab universities. He called for this gathering to serve as a springboard toward deeper integration of education and innovation, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of future generations.
The conference commenced with a panel discussion entitled “Education 6.0: Leading Innovation and Knowledge Production in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Geopolitical Transformations,” featuring a distinguished roster of academic luminaries.
During the session, Professor Dr. Amjad Barham delivered an intervention titled: “Engineering the Educational System: Educational Policies and Future-Shaping to Empower Digital Innovation in Palestine amid Geopolitical Challenges, with a Particular Focus on the Gaza Strip.
He highlighted the current status of national digital policy development, emphasizing the critical importance of completing the implementation of the Palestine Digital Agenda 2030 and strengthening sustainability within educational strategies.
Prof. Barham also addressed the state of general and higher education amid emergencies and geopolitical shifts.
In the same context, he addressed the relationship between artificial intelligence and education, highlighting the importance of establishing intelligent policies for integrating generative AI tools within the educational environment, alongside developing governance mechanisms that balance technological empowerment with the preservation of higher-order human competencies.
In her intervention within the session’s theme, “Building an Integrated Ecosystem for Digital Innovation and Knowledge Production: From Policy to Implementation Amidst Challenging Contexts,” Dr. Safaa Nasser Al-Din, former Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chair of the Computer Engineering Department at Al-Quds University, addressed pathways for translating digital policies into effective educational realities. She emphasized the critical importance of operationalizing the Palestine Digital Agenda through practical educational programs and sustainable initiatives.
She also addressed the effective mechanisms to ensure coordination and integration among various stakeholders, including ministries, universities, and private sector institutions, aiming to create a cohesive digital educational environment that fosters innovation and relies on collaborative planning and implementation.
Furthermore, she underscored the critical imperative of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets within digital education by implementing incubator and accelerator models that empower student creativity and catalyze the development of digital solutions in the realms of artificial intelligence and educational technology.
She concluded by highlighting the vital role of national initiatives in empowering youth to develop their digital and innovative skills.
In her intervention under the theme, “Digital Infrastructure as a Pillar for Innovative Education and Sustainability Amid Current Challenges,” Ms. Huda Al- Wahidi, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, addressed the state of digital infrastructure in Palestine, highlighting geopolitical challenges, the digital divide, and technical and logistical constraints, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
She outlined the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s strategic roadmap for realizing the Palestine Digital Agenda 2030, which encompasses extending broadband connectivity to schools and community centers, strengthening Cybersecurity frameworks, and fostering digital sustainability across various educational sectors.
Additionally, she referenced Agentic AI as a strategic opportunity to enhance educational quality in resource-constrained settings, underscoring its role in enabling learning systems to adapt to change and bolster their resilience and innovative capacity.
She concluded her remarks by emphasizing the importance of developing a robust and resilient digital infrastructure capable of withstanding current crises, calling for the exploration of alternative technologies as an integrated pathway to overcome challenges and achieve comprehensive digital transformation.
In his presentation under the theme “Innovation in Curricula and Future Skills: Building a Knowledge-Productive Generation,” Professor Dr. Walid Salama, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Computer Engineering at Princess Sumaya University for Technology, emphasized the critical importance of designing innovative curricula that align with the digital transformation and contribute to the development of students’ future-ready skills. These include analytical and critical thinking, interactive programming (Vibe Coding), data-driven analysis, as well as the ethics of artificial intelligence.
He also addressed strategies for building teachers’ digital capacities to empower them in effectively implementing modern curricula and leveraging emerging technologies within the educational settings.
He further emphasized the importance of cultivating both digital and emotional competencies among students amidst the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technologies—particularly large language models and agentic AI—underscoring the necessity of aligning curricula with these developments to nurture a generation capable of intelligently and responsibly producing and applying knowledge.
In his presentation entitled “Leading Knowledge Transformation: The Role of Universities and Regional Partnerships,” Prof. Imad Al-Zeer, President of Palestine Ahliya University, highlighted the pivotal role that Palestinian universities play in advancing digital transformation and knowledge production. He underscored the importance of adopting effective strategies to empower higher education institutions to meet the demands of the Fifth Industrial Revolution and to cultivate future-ready skills among students.
Prof. Al-Zeer also discussed the role of the Arab Fund for Supporting and Relief of Higher Education Institutions in Palestine, highlighting its impact in strengthening the resilience of these institutions and supporting their efforts to provide high-quality and sustainable education despite prevailing challenges.
He also emphasized the strategic importance of regional and international partnerships as catalysts for advancing the university ecosystem by fostering innovation, facilitating knowledge transfer, and enabling experience exchange—particularly in the fields of educational technologies and digital applications—thereby contributing to the development of a resilient and globally connected higher education system.
The conference’s first session focused on the theme “Education for Innovation,” during which seven scholarly papers were presented and discussed. The topics included:
- Readiness and Needs of English Language Teachers in Using AI Tools in Teaching English
- The Effectiveness of an Electronic Guide Based on Communicative Theory to Improve the Skills of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Reducing Sensory and Behavioral Problems Among Their Children
- The Effectiveness of Teaching According to Gagné’s Steps Electronically in Developing Conceptual Understanding and Performance Skills Among Electrical Engineering Students
- The Impact of Using Digital Technology on Enhancing Reading Comprehension Skills Among Fourth-Grade Female Students in Palestine
- Strategic Creativity and Organizational Agility in Public Schools in Jerusalem Governorate
- Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Applications on Creativity Skills for College Students
- The Effect of Digital Transformation on Developing Performance Quality at Yarmouk University from the Students’ Perspective
The second session focused on the theme: The Role of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education and Innovation, during which six scholarly papers were presented and discussed. The titles included:
- The Effectiveness of Student-Created Multimedia-Based CapCut App Videos on Vocabulary Retention Among Eleventh Graders in Palestinian Public Schools
- The Role of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education and Innovation from the Perspective of Public School Teachers in Bethlehem Governorate
- The Impact of Using the Microsoft Teams Platform on Academic Self-Concept Among Seventh Grade Students in the Nablus Directorate
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing the Academic Performance of Faculty Members in Palestinian Universities
- The Current Use of AI Tools in Teaching and Learning Processes from the Perspective of Students at Al-Quds Open University – Nablus Branch
- Proposed Standards for Developing Digital Awareness in Line with the Principles of a Culture of Responsibility
The conference proceedings will continue on Tuesday, addressing three main themes and the presentation of 19 additional scholarly papers.
