The Minister of Higher Education of Palestine, Dr. Amjad Barham, inaugurated today the opening session of the "Bologna Process for Science Education in Palestine and Jordan" (BASE) project. This project aims to enhance higher education in both countries by adopting European Bologna Process standards, improving quality and academic accreditation according to international norms. Funded by the European Union and led by An-Najah National University under the Erasmus+ program, this initiative represents a strategic step towards unifying qualification recognition policies and enhancing graduates’ competitiveness at regional and international levels. It contributes to improving academic programs, achieving sustainability in scientific research, and fostering cooperation among educational institutions in the region. The project involves Jordanian and Palestinian universities, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, accreditation bodies in both countries, as well as universities and academic institutions from Spain and Italy, thereby enhancing international cooperation in the development of higher education.

In his speech during the opening, Dr. Barham emphasized the importance of the project, especially in light of the difficult conditions in Palestine, particularly the Gaza Strip, where educational institutions suffer from systematic destruction caused by the Israeli occupation. He added that the targeting of universities and schools, the destruction of educational infrastructure, and the denial of students' right to learn, represent significant obstacles to academic development, making such initiatives essential to strengthen the resilience of the education sector in Palestine. He also praised the active role played by Palestinian and Jordanian universities in addressing these challenges by developing curricula and utilizing the latest educational methods.

For his part, Dr. Zafer Al-Saraireh, Head of the Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission in Jordan, delivered a speech in which he confirmed that the project represents a turning point in the trajectory of higher education in Jordan, Palestine, and the Mediterranean region. He clarified that the project is not only focused on developing curricula and improving quality policies but also aims at preparing graduates with the necessary skills to meet the needs of both local and international labor markets.

Dr. Alaa Al-Din Al-Halhouli, President of the German Jordanian University, also welcomed the attendees from Jordanian, Palestinian, and European partners, praising the significant support provided by the European Union for such projects that enhance the standing of higher education in the region. He stressed the importance of cooperation between universities and the private sector to ensure the sustainability of the project's outcomes.

Dr. Allam Mousa, former Palestinian Minister of Communications and Information Technology and representative of An-Najah National University, highlighted the importance of the project in strengthening the higher education system in Palestine and Jordan. He noted that adopting Bologna Process standards would improve education quality, facilitate international recognition of academic degrees, and expand academic cooperation with European universities. He also emphasized the need to strengthen scientific research and link its outcomes to the requirements of economic and social development.

Regarding the project’s goals, Dr. Abdelhalim Ibrahim Khader, the project manager, confirmed that the initiative aims to achieve several strategic objectives, including:

• Promoting skill-based learning instead of rote memorization, preparing students with competitive skills for the job market.
• Improving accreditation and qualification recognition policies to align with international standards.
• Expanding academic and research cooperation between higher education institutions in Jordan and Palestine, along with strengthening partnerships with European universities.
• Enhancing the quality of scientific research and encouraging innovation through strengthening the relationship between universities and the industrial sector.

The conference witnessed wide participation from representatives of universities and academic bodies, in addition to several international experts and European partners, who emphasized the importance of joint efforts to ensure the sustainability of higher education reforms in Jordan and Palestine, as well as in the Mediterranean region, where countries face increasing challenges in providing high-quality education that meets the evolving demands of the labor market.

The project includes training programs and capacity building for faculty members at Jordanian and Palestinian universities, as well as staff at accreditation and quality assurance bodies and Ministries of Higher Education in both countries, to ensure the effective implementation of the Bologna Process philosophy. Additionally, new curricula will be developed, modern teaching strategies will be adopted, and opportunities for experience exchange between academic institutions in the region and Europe will be provided.