Seven projects from Al-Quds University qualify for the finals of prestigious international awards in higher education

Jerusalem - Ofoq News - Al-Quds University continues its presence in international forums for higher education, with seven projects and initiatives from the university qualifying for the final stages in two of the most prominent global awards in the higher education sector, namely the QS Awards for Reimagining Education 2026 and the Times Higher Education Awards, in an international competition that brings together innovative projects and practices in the fields of education, research, partnerships, sustainability and societal impact.

This qualification reflects the diversity of innovation fields at Al-Quds University, and the models it offers that link education and scientific research with technology, partnerships, and community needs, and employ academic knowledge in developing solutions and practices that have an impact in the fields of health, sustainability, inclusion, and international cooperation.

Five projects are finalists in the QS Reimagining Education Awards

Five projects from Al-Quds University qualified for the mini-list of the QS Awards for Reimagining Education, known internationally as the “Oscars of Education,” out of about 2,200 advanced projects from around the world, in categories that reflect the diversity of innovation in higher education.

The project “Developing clinical competence through simulation, virtual reality, and serious games,” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rania Abusir and Dr. Samar Jallad, within the category of immersive experiential learning, offers an advanced educational model that employs simulation, virtual reality, and serious games to develop students’ clinical skills and enhance their readiness for practical practice.

The “Virtual Reconnection with the Heritage of Jerusalem” project, under the supervision of Dr. Ihab Al-Afandi, in the Immersive Experiential Learning category, employs virtual and digital technologies to provide an interactive experience that connects students and learners with the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Jerusalem.

In the Strength of Partnerships category, the “Burden of Disease Project in Palestine” qualified, under the supervision of Dr. Hussein Al-Masri, focuses on research cooperation and developing data and knowledge related to the burden of diseases in Palestine, in a way that supports research and evidence-based health policies.

In the Access, Diversity and Inclusion category, the project “Empowering Students with Disabilities through Innovation” qualified, under the supervision of Dr. Ibaa Farah, which provides innovative solutions and practices to enhance the integration of students with disabilities and enable them to fully participate in academic and university life.

The project “Leading the Transformation towards Sustainable Agriculture”, under the supervision of Dr. Ibaa Farrah, within the category of educational work for sustainability, links education, technology and agricultural innovation, with the aim of preparing students capable of contributing to leading the shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

Two projects are finalists in the Times Higher Education Awards

In parallel, two projects from Al-Quds University qualified for the final stage in the Times Higher Education Awards, reflecting the breadth of university projects advanced in international competitions in higher education.

The project “Building global academic interconnection from Jerusalem”, under the supervision of Prof. Ahmed Nada, presents a flexible model for international academic and professional cooperation, based on global partnerships, hybrid education and digital communication from Jerusalem.

The project “Enhancing Environmental Leadership through Sustainable Agriculture, Innovation and Community Impact,” under the supervision of Dr. Ibaa Farrah, which offers an integrated model that combines education, research, innovation, and community service in the field of sustainability, based on sustainable agriculture programs, smart agriculture, and environmental solutions related to the needs of Palestinian society.

The qualification of the seven projects is in addition to the presence of Al-Quds University in international forums and evaluations, which reflects the diversity of the fields of academic, research and innovative work at the university, and the extension of its international presence to the competition for distinguished projects and practices in higher education.

From Jerusalem, Al-Quds University continues to develop initiatives that link education, research, innovation, partnership and sustainability, and contribute to transforming academic knowledge into practices and solutions that respond to community needs and open new horizons for cooperation and influence at the international level.