An Institutional Transformation Led by the Vice President for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

This milestone reflects An-Najah’s strategic vision to become an “Innovative and Smart University.” The initiative is led by Dr. Mohammad Sharaf, the University’s Vice President for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, a newly established leadership role—the first of its kind among regional universities.

The creation of this position demonstrates the university’s recognition of the need for specialized leadership in AI directly linked to senior management, ensuring the alignment of academic, research, and administrative efforts under a unified and sustainable institutional framework.

A Comprehensive Roadmap Covering Education, Research, and Administration

An-Najah’s institutional AI roadmap is built on five interconnected pillars:

• Smart Leadership and Governance: Establishing an integrated structure led by the Office of the Vice President for Innovation and AI to coordinate among faculties, research centers, and administrative departments under a unified strategic vision.

• Academic Transformation: Embedding AI in curricula and academic programs, updating study plans to include applied AI courses, data analytics, and digital transformation.

• Research Excellence: Empowering research centers to integrate AI tools in applied and interdisciplinary projects while expanding international collaboration in innovation and applied sciences.

• Administrative Automation: Digitizing university processes through intelligent systems for performance analysis and decision support across departments.

• Human Capacity Development: Launching comprehensive training programs for faculty, staff, and students through An-Najah Academy and the An-Najah Innovation Park, preparing a new generation capable of leading smart transformation in education, management, and industry.

A Regional First in AI Governance

An-Najah National University is the first university in the region to establish a Vice Presidency for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, positioning itself at the forefront of Arab institutions that are embracing AI governance at an institutional scale.

This transformation builds on the university’s strong record in innovation and entrepreneurship, including the establishment of the An-Najah Innovation Park as a hub for applied research and startup incubation, as well as numerous initiatives in smart education, digital transformation, and international collaboration.

From Education to Smart Empowerment

Dr. Mohammad Sharaf emphasized that this transformation represents a new chapter in the university’s evolution, stating:

“Artificial intelligence is not merely a technology—it is a new academic and administrative mindset that redefines how we think, learn, and innovate within the university. We are not waiting for the future; we are building it, through a clear plan that positions An-Najah as a regional model of smart transformation.”

Local and Regional Impact

Through this roadmap, An-Najah seeks to enhance Palestine’s position on the regional innovation map, serving as a model for integrating AI into education, research, and institutional management. The university also aims to share its expertise with other Arab universities through strategic partnerships in research, training, and digital transformation.