An-Najah Students Lead Academic Exchange on Palestinian Education at Tufts
Boston, MA – March 5, 2025 – A delegation from An-Najah National University recently completed an impactful academic exchange at Tufts University from February 24 to March 5, 2025, deepening international academic collaboration and fostering critical discussions on barriers to education in Palestine, human rights, and democracy. The visit, organized through An-Najah’s Academic and Professional Development Center (APDC) in partnership with Tufts’ Initiative for Global Leadership, Palestinian Education Initiative, and the Middle East Research Group (MERG), included students Ghaysanah Sholi (architecture engineering), Abdulrahman Abu Arayes (medical studies), Maryam Zaghloul (international law), and Yazan Hawah (law), supervised by Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht.
A key moment of the visit was the ‘Democracy on the Brink’ symposium hosted by Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, where the delegation presented their session, “Barriers to Education in Palestine.” The symposium, running from February 27 to March 1, explored pressing issues of democracy and authoritarianism, with An-Najah’s delegation contributing firsthand perspectives on how systemic barriers impact Palestinian students.
Dr. Amjad El-Qanni, Director of the APDC, emphasized the significance of such exchanges in shaping the professional and personal growth of Palestinian students:
“Opportunities like this are invaluable for our students, allowing them to gain international exposure, develop their interpersonal and professional skills, and engage in critical academic discussions. Traveling from Palestine to the USA comes with challenges, but these visits demonstrate our students’ resilience and commitment to knowledge, ensuring their voices are heard on global platforms.”
“This visit was not just a moment of exchange—it was an investment in long-term partnerships rooted in justice, solidarity, and student leadership. When Palestinian students share their realities directly with global audiences, it challenges misconceptions and opens space for meaningful, transformative collaboration,” said Mrs. Alia Gilbrecht, supervisor of the An-Najah delegation.
Furthering these discussions, visit organizers Yara Hamdan and Soliman Aboutaam, along with the An-Najah delegation, hosted a special workshop on March 3, offering deeper insights into educational access and resilience in Palestine. The session, followed by a Q&A discussion, provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with Palestinian students’ lived experiences. Reflecting on the visit, delegation member Abdelrahman Abu Arayes remarked:
“TILIP was a transformative experience where we shared Palestinian stories and showed that even in the face of oppression, we carry our history with pride, seek knowledge, and embody resilience.”
The visit concluded on March 4 with a screening of LYD, a documentary exploring the history of Lyd and the Nakba. The film sparked an engaging discussion with the filmmakers, further enriching conversations on Palestinian history, displacement, and collective memory.
By participating in this exchange, An-Najah National University reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence, global partnerships, and amplifying Palestinian voices on the international stage. The delegation’s contributions at Tufts underscored the power of cross-border dialogue in advancing educational equity, justice, and human rights worldwide.
