Launched in 2014 by the Varkey Foundation, the Global Teacher Prize is a US $1 million award presented annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession. This year award took place on the 13th of March, 2016 at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai.

Professor Maher Natsheh, Acting President of An-Najah received Ms Al-Hroub earlier at his office in the presence of Dr. Mohammad El-Amleh, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Dr. Sabri Naser, Vice President for Administrative Affairs; Dr. Adnan Melhem, President’s Assistant for Social Affairs; Dr. Basil Mansour, Head of Staff Union; Dr. Alia Assali, Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers’ Training; Mr. Mousa Abu Dayeh, Dean of Students’ Affairs; Mr. Khaled Mufleh, Acting Director of the Public Relations Department and Ms Hala Qubbaj from the Teacher Creativity Centre.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Prof. Natsheh welcomed Ms Al-Hroub and congratulated her for obtaining the prize and said that she was a source of pride for all Palestinian especially educators.

The Governor of Nablus, Akram Rujoub also expressed his pride in Ms Al-Hroub and briefed the attendees on her career life.

Ms Al-Hroub thanked An-Najah for the hospitability she received there and gave pieces of advice to all teachers around the world.

In her turn, Ms Qubbaj talked about the centre’s role in supporting Al-Hroub and congratulated her for achieving this success.

At the end of the ceremony, Ms. Al-Hroub was awarded plaques by the university and other official institutions in Nablus.

Notes:

• Ms Al-Hroub grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp where she was exposed to acts of violence, and her own children were traumatized by a shooting incident. She specializes in supporting children traumatized by violence and teaches Palestinian refugee children under her slogan "No to Violence". She uses a specialized approach she developed herself, which uses play that aims at resolving violence and tension. The method is detailed in her book, We Play and Learn.
• The Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC) is a non-government/non-profit organization established in 1995 by UNRWA and private schools in Palestine. The centre aims at enabling stakeholders in the teaching-learning process to achieve safe, stimulating, democratic school environments which embody human rights and civic education values.
• The ceremony also included giving plaques to both Mr. Jawdat Sisan and Ms Fida’ Za’tar, two among the top 50 finalists.