Efforts of IUG family and management have been rewarded by achieving abundant and remarkable accomplishments in 2021 through the university departments, faculties, centers, and deanships. Thanks to relentless and faithful work grouped to preserve IUG position and reputation among academic institutions at national, regional, and international levels.
Year by year, IUG seeks to highlight its presence in areas of academia, scientific research, community service and continuing education, besides rooting its successful relations with other academic and research institutions inside and outside Palestine.
Academic Programs
During 2021, the year of defying challenges, IUG continued opening new paramount academic programs that meet community and market needs. In this regard, (12) new academic programs were opened in 2021 covering degrees of PhD, Postgraduate, Bachelor and Specialized Professional Diploma. That yielded in accumulation of (155) academic programs IUG currently offers.
In 2021, IUG received (5027) new students, and the number of 40-batch graduates reached (3928) graduates. This contributes to the total number of IUG graduates since the establishment, which counts for (48,636) male and female graduates.
Awards and Accomplishments
IUG has a shining record of awards and accomplishments during 2021 at the level of the university, its faculty members, students and graduates. IUG was awarded (6) international projects; three of them funded by Sustainable Cooperation for Peace and Security Network, one project of “Education and Digital Research for Middle East and North Africa Regions”, one as a project coordinator for “Developing High-Performing Sustainable Concrete”, and one funded by Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace Network. Also, IUG journals obtained the classification of (Q1) which is the highest rank in Arcif Impact Factor for 2021. Iwan center at IUG also obtained a grant to enforce the protection of cultural heritage in the Gaza Strip.
On sports side, there were four championships, in which IUG won the first place: physical strength, physical strength (categories), table tennis, and volleyball.
On academic side, several faculty members recorded paramount achievements in scientific and academic research. Prof. Sofyan Tayeh – Faculty of Science – and Dr. Bassam Taya – Faculty of Engineering – have been recently classified among best (2%) researchers around the world according to a study conducted by Elsevier Publishing House and Stanford University.
On graduates and students side, a female graduate from Faculty of Science earned the title of “Best International Teacher for 2021” according to EDUKOS Unite Organization in India. Also, a female graduate from Faculty of Education was awarded “Global Teacher Award 2021” from AKS Education Award Organization. Moreover, IUG Debate Team won the first place in “Debate Tournament of Gaza Strip Universities for 2021”.
International Ranking
To keep the pace of preserving its advancement at Palestinian, Arab, and international universities level, and to dedicate its efforts through specialized committees to follow the ranking file that includes the accomplishments attained at all aspects; IUG was ranked 2nd place among Palestinian universities in 2021 according to Webometrics ranking in scientific research citations. It was also ranked 1st place among Gaza Strip universities and 3rd place among Palestinian universities according to Webometrics international ranking “July 2021 version”.
IUG is still looking forward to bringing more accomplishments to preserve its status and reputation and to keep advancing forward in regional and international rankings.
Agreements and Partnerships
During 2021, IUG signed more than (20) cooperation agreements, most importantly of which was with New Lisbon University in Portugal as an outcome of one of international exchange projects. This is in addition to signing a cooperation agreement between Faculty of Health Sciences at IUG and Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Artificial Limbs, as well as signing a memorandum of understanding between IUG and Reach Education Fund Organization. Another cooperation and partnership agreement was signed with Central Election Committee under 2021’s “Universities Election Awareness Project” funded by European Union.
Laboratories
During 2021, IUG inaugurated (10) labs and learning units at faculties and centers: (4) PC labs at Faculty of Education, funded by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and executed by Gulf Educational Organization – Gaza branch, (2) PC labs for Faculty of Engineering in Faculty of Science building, funded by World Assembly of Muslim Youth, and executed by Kebar Trading Group, in addition to (4) labs and learning units which are: Policies and Conflict Resolution Lab, Power Electronics lab, Computer Networks lab, GIS lab.
Extracurricular Activities and Scientific Research
During 2021, and in the context of holding big-scale extracurricular activities, (4) scientific and international conferences were organized, and they are: Electrical Engineering Conference, Statutory Inimitability Conference, Medical Education in Palestine, and Information and Communication Technology Conference. This is in addition to holding (14) study days, (70) seminars and scientific assemblies, (20) events for training programs, (25) graduation ceremonies, besides many other events and activities.
IUG also dedicated its efforts and readiness to continue the in-person teaching through launching vaccination campaigns against Covid-19. In this respect, IUG launched a campaign for IUG employees and students, as well as a campaign for students of other Gaza Strip universities.
Regarding research area, a number of (300) new research items of faculty members was added to IUG Digital Institutional Repository of research (from June to December 2021). Also, a number of IUG students were awarded endowment scientific awards in 2021, and they are:
(9) awards from Sultana Nahar and AR Rahman for Science and Engineering Award.
(6) awards from Sana Abu Dagga for Educational and Psychological Sciences Award.
(3) awards for academic excellence in Chemistry.
(6) awards for academic excellence among female students.
IUG is optimistically looking forward to fulfilling more expectations and achievements in 2022, mainly in the area of higher education. This will contribute in developing the education system in Palestine through maintaining its well-known reputation in the academic environment, and by embracing advancement and development factors.
