The event was inaugurated by H.E. Prof. Amjad Barham, Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education, who underscored the project's critical role in modernizing higher education, particularly by harmonizing qualification recognition policies and improving graduate competitiveness on both regional and global scales. He highlighted the significance of such initiatives in supporting Palestinian higher education institutions, particularly in the wake of challenges affecting the sector, and emphasized their importance in reinforcing Gaza’s resilience through educational development.

The BASE project serves as a transformative step toward strengthening institutional collaboration and fostering sustainable educational reforms. It unites leading universities from Palestine and Jordan, national accreditation bodies, and the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research in both countries, alongside academic institutions from Spain and Italy. This multilateral cooperation aims to develop a sustainable framework for higher education innovation, facilitating cross-border collaboration and enhancing international partnerships in academic and research fields.

A key component of the project is the implementation of training programs and capacity-building initiatives tailored for faculty members, accreditation and quality assurance personnel, and higher education policymakers in Palestine and Jordan. Additionally, the initiative seeks to modernize curricula, enhance academic mobility, and foster knowledge exchange between universities in the region and Europe. During the event, discussions focused on the need to develop policies that align education with labor market demands while ensuring that academic institutions meet global quality standards.

Prof. Dhafer Youssef Ahmad Al-Sarayrah, Chairperson of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions in Jordan, described the project as a milestone in the higher education reform landscape in Palestine, Jordan, and the broader Mediterranean region. He emphasized its impact on curriculum enhancement, accreditation framework development, and the preparation of graduates with market-driven competencies, ensuring their readiness to compete in both local and global job markets.

Prof. Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli, President of the German Jordanian University, welcomed the diverse group of stakeholders from Jordanian, Palestinian, and European institutions. He praised the European Union’s continued support for the initiative and highlighted the essential role of collaboration between academia and industry in ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of project outcomes. He also emphasized that stronger ties between universities and private sector partners would help bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students and graduates.

Representing An-Najah National University, Prof. Allam Mousa, Director of An-Najah Innovation Park and the university’s representative in the project, emphasized the significance of adopting Bologna Process standards to enhance the quality of higher education, facilitate international degree recognition, and strengthen academic cooperation with European universities. He also underscored the importance of aligning scientific research with socio-economic development, ensuring that educational advancements directly contribute to national and regional growth. He stressed that universities should not only serve as centers of knowledge but also as key drivers of economic and social progress through research and innovation.

Dr. Abdelhaleem Khader, BASE Project Manager, highlighted the initiative’s strategic objectives, which focus on enhancing skills-based learning, improving accreditation policies to align with international standards, expanding academic and research collaboration with European institutions, and strengthening university-industry partnerships to bridge the gap between academia and the workforce. He reiterated that the project aims to equip students with competitive skills that meet labor market demands while fostering a culture of academic excellence and international cooperation.

The inaugural conference saw extensive participation from university representatives, accreditation bodies, and international higher education experts. European partners stressed the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure the long-term success of higher education reforms in Jordan, Palestine, and the wider Mediterranean region. Discussions underscored the pressing need for innovative educational strategies that align with evolving labor market requirements, ensuring that universities continue to produce graduates with the skills and expertise needed for the modern workforce.

The two-day meeting concluded with a strategic roadmap for project implementation, detailing future activities, collaborative mechanisms, and sustainability plans. Partner institutions reaffirmed their commitment to driving higher education reform, ensuring the effective integration of Bologna Process standards into science education, and fostering an internationally competitive academic environment in the region. The conference marked a significant step toward establishing a stronger foundation for higher education in Palestine and Jordan, reinforcing the role of universities as key institutions for knowledge development, research excellence, and regional cooperation.