The event was attended by Dr. Mohammad Al-Amleh, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Khaled Al-Sahili, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology; Dr. Abdel Karim Daragmeh, Director of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; and several faculty members, including Dr. Abdel Razaq Natsheh, Dr. Hamed Abdul-Haq, Dr. Imad Saadah, Ms. Suhad Daraghmeh, and Ms. Najwan Dalalq.

The session welcomed high school and 11th-grade science stream students from various districts across the West Bank, including Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, Jericho, Hebron, Tubas, and Salfit. This outreach effort was coordinated with the Ministry of Education and local educational directorates to provide students with insights into the opportunities offered by the program.

Dr. Daragmeh opened the session by welcoming the attendees and highlighting the program’s distinctive blend of theoretical and practical learning, designed to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving IT sector. He emphasized that graduates of the program would acquire 2,100 hours of practical experience by the time of graduation, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market.

Dr. Al-Sahili provided an overview of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, emphasizing its internationally accredited programs and strong ties to the IT industry. He noted that the launch of this program brings the faculty’s undergraduate offerings to 18, further strengthening its position as a leader in engineering and technology education.

Dr. Al-Amleh underscored the university’s commitment to integrating practical training with academic learning, tailoring programs to align with market needs, and fostering collaborations with local institutions to enhance the educational experience. He emphasized that this approach equips graduates with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the field of IT.

Dr. Natsheh delivered an in-depth presentation on the program, detailing its curriculum, course structure, and alignment with global market demands in computer science. He highlighted the extensive market research conducted prior to the program’s approval and elaborated on the program’s emphasis on practical training and skill development.

Meeting international standards, the program provides opportunities for hands-on experience and professional growth comparable to those offered by leading global universities, such as UTBM in France, Northwestern University in the United States, and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

A hallmark of the program is its focus on experiential learning, with students completing 1,280 hours of practical training through three dedicated courses and 820 hours integrated into ten courses co-taught by university faculty and industry professionals. This immersive approach ensures students gain valuable insights into Palestine’s IT sector and its evolving landscape.

The program offers two specialized tracks—Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software Engineering—allowing students to choose their area of focus starting in their third year. Industry partners play an integral role in the program, contributing to course delivery, providing training opportunities, and offering mentorship. Additionally, some industry professionals serve as adjunct faculty, further bridging the gap between academia and the job market.

Following the session, the visiting students and representatives from the educational directorates were given a comprehensive tour of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities on the New Campus, offering them a glimpse of the cutting-edge resources available to support their academic journey.

This event underscores An-Najah National University’s commitment to pioneering innovative educational programs that prepare students to excel in an ever-changing global landscape.