Khawla Abu Zahida, a dedicated student majoring in Architectural Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at An-Najah National University, clinched the top honor by securing the first-place award. Her visionary project, titled "Tantura Village Reconstruction – Lights of the Tunnel," garnered accolades for its innovative and culturally resonant approach.

Meanwhile, Bushra Shehadeh, also a gifted architecture major at the University, earned the Appreciation Award for her exceptional project, "Qalunya Village Reconstruction," which showcased her creativity and commitment to the restoration of historical Palestinian villages.

An-Najah National University's participation in the competition exemplified its commitment to the preservation of Palestinian heritage. The institution submitted four projects in total, all aimed at reviving and restoring demolished Palestinian villages. A total of 47 projects from universities worldwide were evaluated by a panel of academics and experts in architecture, planning, and urban design.

Dr. Hassan Al-Qadi, a distinguished faculty member from the Architectural Engineering Department at the Faculty of Engineering at An-Najah National University, served as the competition's supervisor at the University. He extended his warmest congratulations to Khawla Abu Zahida and Bushra Shehadeh for their remarkable global achievements, emphasizing the significance of their success in elevating the reputation of the University and its students on the international stage.

Dr. Al-Qadi further disclosed that the winning projects were executed under the guidance and supervision of renowned professors, including Dr. Hassan Al-Qadi, Dr. Khaled Qamhiyah, and Dr. Wassim Salama, all experts in architecture at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.

The competition required participating students to meticulously study the destroyed villages by utilizing documents and plans provided by the PLS. In addition, they conducted extensive academic and on-site research to formulate comprehensive urban and architectural analyses. The students then embarked on the architectural design and urban revitalization process, harmonizing historical contexts and heritage elements that resonate with Palestinian culture while addressing contemporary development needs. Throughout this year-long journey, they received continuous support and guidance from architectural supervisors.

Dr. Al-Qadi highlighted that An-Najah National University has a history of excellence in this competition, with previous achievements including first and second-place honors in 2021, the Appreciation Award in 2020, and first-place in 2019.