Al-Quds Open University represented the higher education sector at the National Forum for Adult Education, held under the theme “A Journey into the Space of Awareness and Liberation”, held Tuesday, 13 May 2025, at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society Hall in Al-Bireh. The forum was organized by the Palestinian Education Coalition, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, DVV International, and with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Amjad Barham, affirmed the Ministry's adoption of a national strategic plan to develop adult education. He underscored that sustaining education under Palestine’s challenging circumstances is a national imperative, particularly in light of the ongoing aggression on Gaza and the West Bank, and the rapid developments in artificial intelligence, which call for a transformative shift in educational philosophy and methods.

Dr. Mahmoud Hawamdeh, Director of the University's Yatta Branch, represented QOU in this forum and spoke on behalf of the Palestinian university sector stressing on the importance of integrating adult education within both the academic and societal missions of universities, calling for greater synergy between formal and non-formal education systems to build a more inclusive and equitable knowledge society. Hawamdeh also emphasized that adult education should not remain fragmented or isolated in the form of scattered initiatives, but must instead be rooted in a comprehensive national vision aligned with public policies and sustainable funding strategies. He also highlighted the role of universities as centers for social enlightenment, knowledge creation, and civic engagement especially in the face of digital transformations and the emergence of AI-driven learning models.

Mr. Rifaat Sabbah, President of the Palestinian Education Coalition, emphasized that adult learning in Palestine is not merely a technical or administrative obligation, but a national and moral duty. He described it as an integral part of the broader struggle for liberation and knowledge-building, and as a form of cognitive and social resistance.

The forum was attended by a wide range of representatives from governmental and academic institutions, civil society organizations, and various community groups. It featured interactive panel discussions addressing the current state of adult education in Palestine, the challenges it faces, and the prospects for its advancement within the framework of lifelong learning.

 

Al-Quds Open University’s participation in this forum reaffirms its pioneering role in shaping national educational discourse and its active engagement in major societal issues particularly those affecting vulnerable groups in need of empowerment and lifelong learning opportunities.