IUG has been made great strides in all aspects, and has a crystal clear impact on many facets of the Palestinian society. Its strong relations with academic and research institutions have enhanced its noticeable effect in education, scientific research and continuing education. Looking back at 2016 with IUG’s great efforts and achievements, we are better placed to welcome 2017 with even greater achievements and successes.
IUG was ranked the second Palestinian university and among the best Arab universities in 2016, according to US News & World Report in 2016. It has forged a partnership with UNESCO for supporting refugees through languages and arts together with Britain and Ghana. IUG has also launched Cancer Research Chair to study natural products as effective alternatives for treating cancer, and providing diagnostic services to facilitate cancer diagnosis in addition to establishing an advanced research environment to study cancer.
IUG staff and students had played a main role, as Prof. Mohammed Shubair and Prof. Nabil Abu Ali were the first to get Professor Emeritus grade, while Dr. Sami Sha’ath was chosen by the Palestinian Ministry of Education to be a member of the National Committee for the International Project Synchrotron (SISMI) Management. Moreover, Prof. Abdulraouf Al- Mana’ma was chosen to represent Palestine in Arab scientific Community Organization. Dr. Bassam Abu Thaher has gained a Patent from the USA for a group of new ringed Organic chemical compounds, and the assessment of its biological effect as inhibitor of a group of Alcanez enzymes.
In addition, Prof. Adnan Al-Hendi received Al-Maqdisi Scholarship for Scientific Research for the study entitled, ” Parasite Evaluation of the quality of the water in kitchen filters and desalination plants.” Dr. Sameer Safi spent one-year research visit to Texas University within the third session of the fellowship program, which is financed by Cooperation Institution and Bank of Palestine. Moreover, Dr. Rami Marjan had a three-month research visit scholarship in Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.
Regarding students’ achievements, poet Amal Abu A’asi, M.A. Student, won the best poet medal in Balqees International Festival, which is annually held in Algeria. In addition, nine MA students at IUG has got MEDRC Scholarship, and four engineering students supervised by Prof. Shafeeq Jendeyyah succeeded to make a prototype of permeative porous asphalt aiming at solving the problem of rainwater accumulation at streets.
Cooperation Agreements
During 2016, IUG has held many agreements and partnerships including signing twinning agreement with Minho Portuguese University which aims at facilitating academic cooperation and exchange between the two universities for scientific research goal.
Due to its care for education practices and policies, IUG has signed an academic exchange agreement with Aristotle University, the first in Greek. It has also signed a cooperation agreement with Interpal International Institution to implement the project of rehabilitation of those who are looking for scholarships by holding a training program related to studying abroad.
Besides, IUG has signed a cooperation agreement with the Qatari Red Crescent, Applied University College and Al- Azhar University for implementing the project of preparing specialized medical labs in medical educational institutions in Gaza Strip. In a work visit, Dr. Kamalain Sha’at has signed a cooperation agreement with Malaya University.
Scientific Research:
In 2016, scientific research and Graduate Studies Affairs has held the first scientific research week, which aims at enhancing scientific research concepts, and supporting scientific and research activities. The scientific week has introduced models of distinguished research, scientific and applied activities and products developed by the Palestinian private sector. Moreover, three projects for faculties of engineering and science have won the Palestinian German Scholarships for encouraging joint scientific research between the Palestinian and German researchers.
Since IUG takes care of scientific research, it facilitates applying for Soltana Nahr and Burooj Rahman annual prize and Sanaa Abu Daqqa’s Prize for educational and psychological sciences 2016- 2017 to enhance faculty members’ excellence and motivate them to publish distinguished scientific researches. Many senior professors of IUG have won IUG Prize for human studies, and IUG Prize for Islamic Studies.
Start- Ups Entrepreneurial Projects:
IUG has launched many start-ups including SEED Project for Start-Ups Economic Development, which was applied by Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education, in partnership with IUG Business and Technology Incubator, and funded by Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah through UNDP and DEEP. SEED has adopted 16 projects.
IUG has also concluded “MOBADEROON 3” Project for supporting the leading youths in IUG, and which was funded by Arab Monetary Fund For Social and Economic Development, managed by the Islamic Bank for Development, and implemented by IUG Business and Technology Incubator with partnership of IUG Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education. With partnership of UCAS Incubator, IUG Business and Technology Incubator has launched Gaza Startup Boot camp.
International Visits:
During 2016, IUG had the honor to host many Arab and Foreign Delegations including, an academic delegation from Oxford University, an American Medical delegation and an Austrian Delegation from APPEAR and Vienna University of Technology. In addition, IUG welcomed Mr. Robert Biber, UN Special Coordinator, Mr. Mamadou Sow, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Mr. Brenden McSharrie , Head of the British Cultural Council in Palestine, in addition to the Swiss, South African and Malaysian Ambassadors.
International Activities:
2016 was distinguished by its various scientific, international and medical conferences organized by IUG’s different faculties including the first e-bug project, which was supervised by IUG Faculty of Health Sciences. The project aimed at raising the society’s awareness of biology, cleanness and treatment. Also, IUG Faculty of Arts held a conference entitled, ” Objective changes in the Palestinian Cause after Oslo”, which aimed at showing the Palestinian negotiations’ path and reasons of its failure. In addition, IUG Faculty of Engineering in cooperation with Technical college of Science in University of Vienna held the Sixth International Engineering Conference.
The sixth conference of the Faculty of Medicine has also joined IUG’s series of successful conferences. A senior medical delegation from Oxford University participated in the conference. In addition, Faculty of Osool Addin held the second conference on Inimitability of the Quran and Sunnah in cooperation with Faculty of Islamic Civilization of Malaysia Technological University. The conference included (50) abstracts and (28) scientific studies.
Social Responsibility:
The Palestinian society was also at the center of IUG’s work and social responsibility. Therefore, IUG has graduated the first batch of deaf students, who completed professional diplomas in graphic design and smart devices maintenance, which are part of the project aiming at improving access to education for people with hearing disabilities, a project financed by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the reconstruction of Gaza, Qatari Fakhoora Institution and managed by Islamic Development Bank. IUG has also launched employment Day for Faculty of Commerce Graduates.
In 2016, IUG has graduated about (4217) students in Ph.D., M.A., Bachelor, Educational Rehabilitation and Diploma degrees.
