Mission
To provide a high-quality educational, clinical, and research environment that prepares optometrists with the scientific knowledge, clinical competence, professional behaviour, and ethical standards required to deliver patient-centred, evidence-based care, respond to community needs, and contribute to the advancement of optometry and eye-health services in Palestine.
Vision
To be a leading optometry program locally and regionally in optometric education, clinical training, research, and community service, and to contribute effectively to the advancement of eye and vision care and the promotion of eye health.
Facilities
1. Primary Optometric Care Clinic
Location: 17B1150
Description: Used to train students in comprehensive eye and vision examination, refractive assessment, visual-function testing, and ocular-health assessment, and to develop competencies required for primary optometric care under academic and clinical supervision.
2. Advanced Optometric Clinic
Location: 19B1020
Description: Provides an environment for advanced clinical-skills training and the use of specialised examination techniques and instrumentation in the assessment of ocular and visual conditions.
3. Vision Rehabilitation Clinic
Location: 19G010
Description: Provides training in comprehensive low-vision assessment, identification of functional visual needs, selection of magnification and assistive devices, and patient training within an individualised vision-rehabilitation plan.
4. Clinical Dispensing Clinic
Location: 19B2090
Description: Provides practical training in frame and lens selection, measurements, prescription verification, spectacle preparation, adjustment and repair, and the use of dispensing and lens-processing equipment.
5. Paediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision Clinic
Location: 19B2090
Description: Provides training in paediatric vision assessment, binocular vision, accommodation, convergence, ocular motility, strabismus and amblyopia assessment, and the development of appropriate management, follow-up, or referral plans under supervision.
6. Ophthalmology Eye Clinics – An-Najah National University Hospital
Location: An-Najah National University Hospital
Description: Provide students with supervised exposure to a range of ocular conditions, diagnostic procedures, medical and surgical eye-care pathways, and interprofessional clinical practice.
7. Al-Academia Optometry Center – Clinical Training Center
Description: Serves as a clinical training site where students apply eye and vision examination skills, refractive and visual-function assessment, clinical dispensing, and patient communication in a professional practice environment under appropriate supervision.
Industry
Community engagement is an integral component of the Program’s educational and clinical experience. Students and academic staff participate in vision screening, eye-health awareness, and optometric care activities for communities and population groups that may face barriers to accessing eye-care services. These activities allow students to apply clinical skills in community settings and understand social, geographical, and economic determinants of access to care.
The Program also develops relationships with healthcare institutions, eye clinics and hospitals, professional organisations, industry partners, and local and international training sites, and participates in academic and research projects, international exchange, conferences, and professional activities.
Teaching and Learning
The Program uses a combination of teaching and learning approaches appropriate to course content and intended outcomes. These include interactive lectures, active learning, laboratory training, case-based and problem-based learning, clinical discussions, student presentations, guided and self-directed learning, and e-learning where appropriate.
Practical and clinical components increase progressively throughout the curriculum, with advanced years emphasising direct patient care, case analysis, clinical decision-making, patient communication, and learning within different eye-care environments.
Coursework and Assessment
A range of assessment methods is used to evaluate knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competencies in alignment with course and Program learning outcomes. Assessment methods include written and computer-based examinations where appropriate, quizzes, assignments, presentations, case reports, and research projects.
Practical and clinical courses are assessed through practical and clinical examinations, direct observation of performance, standardised rubrics and competency criteria, case-based assessments, and course-specific clinical records or requirements. Assessment is designed to verify students’ ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical skills and make safe, evidence-based professional decisions.