Encouraging Women’s Enrollment in Underrepresented Fields
An-Najah National University is firmly committed to achieving gender equity and empowering women across all areas of academic and professional life. As part of its mission to create inclusive learning environments, the University has developed targeted initiatives to encourage female students to apply for programs where women have been historically underrepresented—such as engineering, computer science, and other STEM disciplines.
These initiatives combine awareness, mentorship, financial support, and strategic outreach to schools and communities, ensuring that every talented young woman has the opportunity to pursue her ambitions and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.
1. Outreach and Awareness Programs
The University organizes continuous outreach campaigns that inspire and guide female high-school students toward disciplines such as engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
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Annual “Women in STEM Days” and interactive campus tours introduce participants to laboratories, innovation spaces, and research achievements led by female students and faculty.
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Joint activities with local schools, NGOs, and community organizations promote career awareness and highlight role models who succeeded in male-dominated fields.
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Faculty ambassadors and alumni engage directly with students through talks and mentorship circles, illustrating that these careers are both achievable and fulfilling for women.
2. Scholarships and Financial Empowerment
An-Najah University provides dedicated scholarships and financial-aid schemes that specifically target young women choosing programs with low female representation.
These scholarships reduce financial barriers and encourage talented students to pursue academic excellence in challenging scientific and technical disciplines. Additional assistance and flexible support systems ensure that no female student is excluded from higher education due to economic limitations.
3. Mentorship and Professional Networks
Every new female student entering an underrepresented program is welcomed into a structured mentorship and peer-support network.
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Experienced female professionals and successful alumni offer one-to-one guidance, internship opportunities, and career counseling.
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Faculty advisors ensure that students receive continuous academic support and are connected to national and international women’s networks in STEM.
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These mentoring structures have significantly contributed to a continuous rise in the percentage of women enrolled and graduating in previously male-dominated disciplines.
4. Promotion, Role Models, and Success Stories
The University regularly features inspiring stories of female graduates, researchers, and innovators through digital campaigns, exhibitions, and media coverage.
These stories celebrate achievements in engineering, health sciences, and business leadership — helping reshape public perception and motivating future generations of young women to join and lead in these sectors.
Promotional materials across official websites, social-media platforms, and admission guides emphasize a welcoming and empowering environment for women at An-Najah.
5. Collaboration and Community Engagement
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, local NGOs, and international partners, An-Najah University co-leads regional campaigns encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers.
Workshops, community events, and awareness days are conducted throughout the year to reinforce gender equality in academic choices and career pathways.
These collaborations reflect the University’s leadership in national and regional efforts to promote women’s participation in science and technology.
Impact and Continuous Progress
Through these sustained efforts, female representation in key scientific and engineering fields continues to grow year after year, reaching levels that reflect national leadership in gender inclusiveness.
An-Najah National University’s initiatives have become a model for other higher-education institutions in the region, demonstrating how comprehensive support, visibility, and mentorship can transform gender balance in higher education.
Enrollment Statistics by Gender
The following table reflects the positive gender distribution across ANNU’s faculties for the academic year 2024–2025, showcasing the University’s success in fostering balanced participation and high female representation even in previously male-dominated fields.
|
Faculty |
Male Students (%) |
Female Students (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Engineering and Information Technology |
57.8% |
42.2% |
|
Science |
40.6% |
59.4% |
|
Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine |
54.3% |
45.7% |
|
Medicine and Health Sciences |
47.2% |
52.8% |
|
Humanities and Educational Sciences |
39.8% |
60.2% |
|
Fine Arts |
43.5% |
56.5% |
|
Business and Communication |
50.9% |
49.1% |
|
Law and Political Sciences |
47.3% |
52.7% |
|
Shari’ah |
42.6% |
57.4% |
|
Graduate Studies |
45.1% |
54.9% |
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Female participation exceeds 50% in seven out of ten faculties.
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The Faculty of Science and Faculty of Shari’ah show particularly strong growth in female enrollment.
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Engineering and Agriculture, while still slightly male-dominant, show continued progress compared to previous years — a sign of successful outreach, scholarships, and mentorship initiatives targeting women in STEM.
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Data reflect the academic year 2024–2025 and demonstrate ANNU’s success in fostering gender balance across all faculties, with continuous improvement in female participation in STEM and professional disciplines.
The data confirm that women are equitably represented across all domains, with a consistent rise in postgraduate participation — evidence that female graduates are increasingly pursuing advanced degrees and research careers.
An-Najah National University’s dedication to empowering women in underrepresented subjects is a core component of its sustainability and equality strategy. By encouraging applications, providing opportunities, and celebrating success, the University ensures that women are visible, supported, and leading contributors to academic and societal progress.
These actions align directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, reinforcing An-Najah’s role as a catalyst for women’s empowerment in Palestine and beyond.
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