Palestinian Higher Education Ministry Honors Students for Cultural Achievements

The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education honored students who won in cultural activities and competitions for the academic year 2025/2026, a group named "The Cohort of Steadfastness and Challenge." The ceremony, organized by the ministry under the patronage of Minister of Education and Higher Education Amjad Barham, also recognized partner and supporting institutions. The event was held in partnership with higher education institutions and with support from the Jawwal company.

Attendees included Dr. Majed Fitiani, Undersecretary for Higher Education Dr. Basri Saleh, Assistant Undersecretary for Student Affairs Sadeq Al-Khaddour, Minister's Advisor Dr. Ihab Al-Qabaj, and Head of the Guidance, Counseling and Student Affairs Unit Ayman Hudli, along with ministry staff, students, representatives from Jawwal, universities, and colleges. A connection was also made via video link with the Gaza Strip.

The recognition aimed to acknowledge student achievements and creativity, as well as the efforts of supporting institutions in making the activities successful. It also sought to promote culture, arts, and creativity in university life and reinforce the role of Palestinian higher education institutions in nurturing student talent.

Minister Barham emphasized the ministry's commitment to supporting student talents and providing platforms for expression, especially given the current circumstances faced by the Palestinian people. He highlighted the students' ability to transform challenges into creativity and contribution, stressing the importance of investing in Palestinian youth and their innovations. He praised the partnerships with higher education institutions and the private sector, particularly Jawwal's support for student activities.

Barham reiterated that the occupation's aggression and targeting of educational institutions would not deter Palestinians from pursuing knowledge, creativity, and steadfastness. He stated that the students' achievements embody the Palestinian national identity and its purposeful themes. Jawwal representative Bahi Sawalha affirmed the company's commitment to supporting student talent through partnerships with the ministry, recognizing education as a cornerstone of societal development.

Student representatives Sarah Al-Masharawi and Madeleine Zahida, from the southern and northern regions respectively, spoke about the continuation of education and creativity despite the difficult conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. They thanked the ministry and Jawwal for their support. Dr. Imad Fashafsheh, Dean of Student Affairs at the Arab American University, representing higher education institutions, also emphasized the importance of these competitions in enabling students to express their talents.

The ceremony included a screening of the documentary film "What Remains," which won first place in the documentary film competition for 2025-2026, produced by students from the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza. Student Raeda Sarandah performed a poetry reading on behalf of a student from Bethlehem University who was recently arrested by the occupation. A musical performance was also presented by the choir of Palestine Technical University "Khadouri."