2026-01-14

Ramallah – Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Dr. Jihad Ramadan, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, convened a meeting with UNESCO Chairholders in Palestine to explore ways to enhance and activate their roles, and to further develop their operational mechanisms in order to strengthen their regional and international presence.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Wafaa Khater, UNESCO Chair in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Birzeit University; Dr. Majdi Ouda, UNESCO Chair in Data Science for Development at the Arab American University; Dr. Sanaa Al-Sarghali, UNESCO Chair in Democracy, Human Rights and Peace at An-Najah National University; and Dr. Anan Al-Jayousi, UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Water Resources Management at An-Najah National University.

During the meeting, Dr. Ramadan emphasized the central importance of UNESCO Chairs in supporting the higher education system, promoting scientific research, and building academic and institutional capacities in alignment with the priorities of the State of Palestine and the needs of the local community. He underscored their vital role in advancing knowledge and enhancing the quality of education.

The participants discussed mechanisms for strengthening partnership and coordination between the UNESCO Chairs and the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in a manner that serves national priorities within the Chairs’ respective fields of specialization and contributes to the development of high-impact, sustainable programs.

The meeting also reaffirmed the essential role of UNESCO Chairs in reinforcing Palestinian national identity and representing the State of Palestine in academic and scientific forums at the local, regional, and international levels, reflecting its scholarly and intellectual standing.

In addition, the discussion addressed the challenges facing UNESCO Chairs under the current circumstances and explored ways to overcome them, while stressing the importance of aligning their programs and activities with the Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO’s strategic priorities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Ramadan called for the development of joint programs and the implementation of research and training projects that serve the local community, as well as for enhanced communication and exchange of expertise among UNESCO Chairs to ensure the sustainability of their work and maximize their scientific and societal impact.