From Palestine to the World: An-Najah University Leads MENA Representation at IVEC 2024
An-Najah National University proudly participated in the International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC), held virtually from October 21st to 24th, 2024. As the sole leading institution in the field of Virtual Exchange and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, An-Najah showcased a remarkable presence through a series of impactful research studies and presentations. Organized by the Academic and Professional Development Center (APDC), the university’s delegation included distinguished faculty and staff, such as Dr. Maysa Abuzant from the Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, Prof. Khaled Al-Sahili and Dr. Abdelhaleem Khader from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Dr. Eman Alshawish from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi, founder of the Virtual Exchange Program, and Dr. Amjad El-Qanni, Director of APDC.
An-Najah’s participation was marked by significant contributions that highlighted its leadership in cross-cultural collaboration. A key workshop titled Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Leveraging Virtual Exchange for ABET Accreditation explored the university's successful virtual exchange project in civil engineering conducted in collaboration with Bucknell University. The session was led by Prof. Khaled Al-Sahili, Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi, Dr. Abdelhaleem Khader, and international collaborator Dr. Brad Putman.
Additionally, An-Najah contributed two compelling presentations on equity and justice. The first, Voices from Palestine and Europe - A Climate Justice Virtual Exchange Through Genocide, showcased the Erasmus+ CliVEx project and was delivered by Dr. Maysa Abuzant, Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi, and Dr. Francesca Helm.
The second, Decolonial Humanising Teaching and Learning in the Space of International Virtual Exchange: South Africa and Palestine, addressed efforts in internationalization through collaboration with Durban University of Technology and was presented by Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi and Dr. Divinia Jithoo. Furthermore, Dr. Eman Alshawish, alongside Dr. Nola Hollness from Florida International University, presented an asynchronous flash presentation titled A Virtual Exchange - COIL Project on Telehealth among Nursing and Midwifery Students from Palestine and Florida, which highlighted the role of cross-cultural learning in maternal telehealth.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to Virtual Exchange and COIL, Dr. Maysa Abuzant was invited to speak at the Emerging Voices panel, where she discussed An-Najah’s pioneering work in this field. Her nomination as an exemplary VE faculty member by APDC underscores the university’s dedication to advancing cross-cultural education. This strong presence at IVEC 2024 reaffirmed An-Najah’s role as a regional and international leader in Virtual Exchange, distinguishing itself as the only MENA institution to lead both program development and research in this domain.
The International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC) is the world’s largest platform dedicated to Virtual Exchange and COIL, bringing together educators and practitioners to foster cross-cultural understanding and develop best practices. This innovative educational approach connects students and educators from diverse cultural backgrounds through structured discussions and collaborative projects, promoting global skills and cultural understanding via online tools. An-Najah’s exceptional contributions to IVEC 2024 reflect its ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in education.
For more information about An-Najah’s Virtual Exchange initiatives, please visit An-Najah VE Program. To explore the full IVEC 2024 program, visit IVEC 2024 Program.
