Sakhnin Academic College Delegation Attends International Project Meeting in Austria

A delegation from Sakhnin Academic College participated in an international in-person meeting for the MANDELA project in Linz, Austria, from September 1st to 3rd, 2026. The project, funded by the Erasmus+ program, focuses on multilateralism through negotiation and cultural diplomacy education in the Levant and Africa.

The meeting brought together representatives from academic and partner institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Sakhnin delegation included College President Professor Faisal Azaiza, Vice President for Strategic Planning and International Relations Professor Yasser Awad (who is also the project lead for the college), and lecturers Dr. Lina Boulos, Dr. Kawthar Jaber Qassoum, Dr. Rawia Hayek, and Dr. Shadi Abu Khadra.

The gathering served as a significant academic and professional platform for project partners to exchange expertise, discuss progress and challenges, and engage in in-depth training workshops on MANDELA's methodologies and their integration into academic curricula. The three-day program also featured coordination sessions, project management, quality assurance, parallel workshops, and a concluding session to review outcomes and plan future steps.

The MANDELA project aims to enhance the role of higher education institutions in developing negotiation skills, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural dialogue, while promoting human rights, democracy, inclusivity, and conflict resolution. It also seeks to build and strengthen international academic cooperation networks.

College President Professor Faisal Azaiza stated that international partnerships are a core part of the college's academic vision, enabling knowledge exchange and exposure to diverse academic practices. He emphasized the college's commitment to increasing its international presence and contributing to initiatives that foster dialogue and cooperation.

Professor Yasser Awad highlighted the meeting as a crucial stage for developing tools and methodologies for academic integration. He noted that MANDELA aims to translate international cooperation into tangible educational outcomes that improve teaching and enhance students' and lecturers' abilities in dialogue and negotiation.

The MANDELA project involves a broad network of partners, including Gordon Academic College of Education, David Yellin Academic College of Education, and the Pathways Institute, alongside institutions from Austria, Germany, Romania, Ethiopia, and Ghana. Sakhnin Academic College is the main coordinator of the project.