The meeting brought together a group of partners active in the agricultural sector, with the participation of the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, civil society and private sector representatives, the Engineers Association – Agricultural Branch, as well as the project trainees from An-Najah graduates.

At the opening, Dr. Hiba Al-Fares, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, welcomed the audience on behalf of the University’s administration, stressing the importance of such gatherings in strengthening partnerships and integration between the University, various sectors, and the local community. She also highlighted their value in fostering cooperation, sharing expertise with graduates, and learning about their personal experiences and success stories achieved through the project.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ziad Fadda, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center, underlined the importance of such meetings in enhancing partnerships between the Faculty and agricultural stakeholders, commending the role of the Ministry and the Research Center in providing training opportunities and practical experience for graduates.

Mr. Allan Allan, Director of Al-Sanawbar Factory, representing private sector partners, emphasized the importance of university-private sector collaboration and the need to intensify and support scientific research for the development of Palestinian products, as well as the role of companies in training graduates.

Dr. Al-Fares also gave a detailed presentation on the project and its achievements, noting that 62 graduates benefited from paid on-the-job training for eight months. As a result, 25% of trainees secured employment with their host institutions, while 11% received funding of up to USD 20,000 each to launch entrepreneurial projects that create jobs for themselves and other graduates.

The event also showcased successful entrepreneurial initiatives supported by the project, with selected graduates presenting their start-ups, the challenges they faced, and the technical assistance provided during their training.

At the close of the meeting, trainers from the Faculty were honored, including Dr. Tawfiq Al-Qubaj, Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabbah, and Dr. Ahmad Za’za’. Partners from various sectors who contributed to training the graduates were also recognized, and certificates were distributed to the student beneficiaries of the project.

Participants praised the role of the University and the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in networking with agricultural stakeholders, stressing the importance of continued communication and cooperation. They also commended FAO and the Government of Denmark for their support, emphasizing the need to sustain such projects aimed at creating job opportunities and reducing unemployment among Palestinian university graduates.