Majd Odeh Secures Third Place Globally

Majd Odeh, a dedicated architecture major at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, clinched the third-place award in the Tamayouz Excellence Award competition. Odeh's project, titled "A World Without Walls," stood out for its ambitious approach in addressing both local and global challenges, earning her a well-deserved place among the top projects worldwide.

Two of An-Najah Students Among Top 50 Globally

In an extraordinary feat, two other talented students, Bushra Shehadeh and Taqwa Saleh, also from the Faculty of Engineering, achieved recognition as their projects secured positions among the top 50 graduation projects globally. The projects underwent rigorous evaluation, emphasizing a comprehensive understanding of architectural context and addressing societal challenges.

Global Recognition for An-Najah's Architecture Program

An-Najah's architecture program, led by Dr. Hassan Al-Qadi, Dr. Khaled Qamhiyah, and Dr. Wassim Salama, has consistently demonstrated excellence and competitiveness on the global stage. Dr. Al-Qadi highlighted the significance of the Tamayouz Award as the largest international platform for architectural education, with 422 projects from 141 universities across 36 countries participating.

Strong Presence in the Top 100 Projects

An-Najah's dominance was evident in the competition's earlier stages, with three projects—Majd Odeh, Bushra Shehadeh, and Taqwa Saleh—making it to the top 100 projects. The university's representation underscored the caliber of its architecture graduates in the international arena.

Global Architectural Dialogue and Recognition

The Tamayouz Excellence Award aims to promote excellence in architectural design and education globally, fostering a rich architectural dialogue. Winning entries, evaluated by a committee of international experts, emphasize projects that tackle local and global challenges through a profound understanding of architectural and urban content.

An-Najah's Architecture Program: A Force to be Reckoned With

Dr. Al-Qadi emphasized that An-Najah's success in such competitions reaffirms the program's strength and global presence. The consistent victories in local and international architectural competitions, along with the university's participation in global educational exchanges, highlight the high level of competence, excellence, and market competitiveness of An-Najah's architecture graduates.

Links to Top Projects:

• Top 100 Projects

• Top 50 Projects

Competition Results: Winners Announcement

Project Video: Watch the video here

Majd Odeh's Visionary Project, "A World Without Walls," Secures Third Place in Tamayouz Excellence Award"

Student Majd Odeh has clinched the third-place award for her groundbreaking project, "A World Without Walls," in the prestigious Tamayouz Excellence Award competition. Undoubtedly, the Tamayouz Excellence Award stands as the largest annual international accolade for architectural graduation projects globally.

Majd Odeh, reflecting on her journey, emphasized that her decision to participate in this competition was fueled by a commitment to excellence. Beyond the pursuit of victory, she highlighted the profound value of engaging in such international architectural competitions for a new graduate. For Odeh, it is a journey of learning, knowledge acquisition, and personal growth—a pivotal step towards establishing a robust foundation for her professional career as a designer and engineer.

Despite the challenging circumstances faced by the Palestinian people and the enduring struggle spanning over 75 years, Odeh underscored the resilience of her community, expressing a collective rejection of adversity and an unwavering aspiration for life.

The genesis of Odeh's award-winning project, "A World Without Walls," originated from the resilience of the Palestinian people. Envisioned as a Palestinian story museum situated on a segment of the apartheid wall post-liberation of historic Palestine, the project is strategically located in the village of Nabi Samuel—marked by its significant impact from the presence of the apartheid wall and the ensuing poor living conditions of its residents.

The museum's narrative unfolds in three distinct stages: the suffering of the Palestinian people, the transformative journey towards freedom, and the ultimate liberation. Notably, the museum's orientation towards the Old City of Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock Mosque, merely 8 miles away, symbolizes the aspirational trajectory of the Palestinian struggle.

Visitors embark on a symbolic journey, commencing with the symbolic breaking of the apartheid wall and traversing through underground stages depicting the depths of suffering. The narrative then evolves into a transformative phase, rising from darkness to embrace natural light, culminating in the pinnacle of freedom—a vantage point offering a clear view of the Dome of the Rock.

Odeh emphasized that her third-place win reinforces the notion that creativity emerges from the crucible of adversity. It serves as a testament to transforming challenges into powerful messages that resonate globally. She expressed gratitude to her project supervisors, the Department of Architecture, and her university for consistently showcasing excellence and brilliance on both local and global platforms.

In a message to fellow architecture students on the brink of graduation, Odeh urged them to pour their utmost effort into their projects and participate in competitions of this nature. These endeavors, she emphasized, not only mark the culmination of one's university career but also serve as a testament to the capability of overcoming difficulties with excellence and creativity.

For further details about the competition and a list of winners, visit: https://tamayouz-award.com/tamayouz-international-graduation-projects-2023-winners-announcement/