Birzeit – April 27, 2026
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Palestine TechnoPark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and scientific research, marking a significant step toward advancing Palestine’s innovation ecosystem.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chair of the Advisory Council of the National Center for Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Amjad Barham, and Chairman of the Board of Palestine TechnoPark and President of Birzeit University, Prof. Talal Shahwan.
The signing took place during the Palestine AI Conference 2026, organized by Palestine TechnoPark in partnership with the Ministry and other key stakeholders. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Hyung Joo, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Palestine; Dr. Basri Saleh, Deputy Minister of Higher Education; Eng. Ala Alaeddin, Vice Chairman of Palestine TechnoPark; and Dr. Amin Nwahda, Director of the National Center for Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence.
Minister Barham emphasized the importance of the agreement in advancing AI development in Palestine and enhancing opportunities for academics, researchers, and students across various disciplines. He noted that this MoU is the first agreement signed by the National Center since its recent establishment, highlighting its strategic role in strengthening higher education, particularly in technology and AI fields.
For his part, Prof. Shahwan expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, describing it as a qualitative step toward bridging scientific research with applied innovation in AI. He stressed that the collaboration will contribute to building an enabling environment for creativity and entrepreneurship.
“This partnership will open new horizons for students and researchers to engage with advanced technologies and develop innovative solutions that address local needs while aligning with global trends,” Shahwan added.
The MoU establishes a strategic framework aimed at:
The agreement includes a range of joint initiatives, such as:
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing Palestine’s digital transformation and fostering a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, research, and collaboration.
