Now, An-Najah National University is preparing to launch the second phase and accept thousands of students from Gaza universities, with the participation of 23 partners and 20 international universities. Additionally, 300 professors and doctors from An-Najah University and around the world volunteered to contribute.

After announcing the start of online teaching for 3000 students from Gaza universities in the first phase of the "Hand in Hand Rebuilding Hope" initiative, An-Najah University, in collaboration with the Mediterranean Universities Union and The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund, convened a meeting with its international partners. This gathering, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Mediterranean Universities Union, the Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund, The Association of Arab Universities, The Francophone University Agency, and numerous other institutions worldwide, signifies a collective effort to support Gaza students in continuing their university education online.

The meeting was inaugurated by Mr. Marcello Scalisi on behalf of Dr. Khereih Rassas, President of the Mediterranean Universities Union.The session covered the initiative's specifics, including student registration figures from various Gaza universities, available courses, and the volunteering framework. Numerous educational institutions eagerly pledged support, ready to collaborate promptly with the university in its academic endeavors. Their involvement aims to facilitate continued education for initiative beneficiaries and offer crucial psychological support amidst sector challenges.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education commended An-Najah National University for its role in enabling Gaza students to continue their university education as visiting students, affirming its commitment to provide all necessary support to ensure the initiative's ongoing success, while expressing gratitude to all volunteers and partners.

Representing the Mediterranean Universities Union, the necessity of partnership and volunteering within the institutional framework was emphasized, stressing the importance of collective action in this initiative to sustain education for Gaza students.

Dr. Moammer Shtaiwi,the President of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, and representing the Minister of Higher Education, affirmed support for the initiative and highlighted the ministry's role in policy provision, monitoring, and evaluation. 

On his part, Mr. Ali Atta, Director of The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund, praised the ongoing efforts of this initiative, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts for Gaza and the collaborative work of Palestinian universities.

Dr. Jean Noel Baleo from the Francophone University Agency, has voiced his backing for teacher training and ensuring the initiative's technological needs are met. Furthermore, Dr. Walid Salameh, acting on behalf of the Association of Arab Universities, is participating as a partner in the initiative.

Dr. Saida Affouneh, the initiative's director, has affirmed the university's readiness, infrastructure, and systems to educate new batches of students. She elaborated that the university has successfully accommodated over 3000 students during the current phase, offering more than 193 courses. Moreover, over 100 lecturers from An-Najah University, along with 200 professors and doctors from around the world, volunteered for the initiative. Dr. Affouneh commended the role of the Mediterranean Universities Union, represented by its president, Dr. Khereih Rassas, and The Palestinian Student Scholarship Fund. She stressed the importance of international partners and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in bolstering this initiative and further investing in enabling Gaza students to pursue their university education free of charge as visiting scholars. 

Dr. Affouneh further remarked, “The initiative has set up a virtual clinic for psychological support, initiating the training of counselors to conduct sessions with students. Furthermore, the initiative covers all academic disciplines for Gaza students."

Concluding the meeting, the initiative reaffirmed its readiness to embark on the second phase and embrace a diverse group comprising thousands of students from various universities within the region. This is in pursuit of the university's commitment to upholding our students' right to remote education free of charge as visiting scholars. The initiative welcomes all volunteers interested in joining and contributing in various fields.