Issra University Concludes Specialized Training Course on Public Health and Humanitarian Crisis Response in Cooperation with the Swiss School of Public Health
Gaza – Public Relations 🇵🇸
Issra University concluded today a specialized training course entitled “Humanitarian Crises and Public Health Systems,” held from August 20 to 22, 2026, in cooperation with the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) – Switzerland. The course was organized as part of the university’s efforts to strengthen international academic and scientific cooperation, expand training opportunities, and facilitate the exchange of expertise in public health and humanitarian crisis response.
The course was conducted within the framework of the scientific and academic partnership under which Isra University serves as a Learning Hub in Palestine. It aimed to build participants’ capacities, exchange knowledge and expertise, and develop the skills of researchers, academic staff, and professionals in public health and humanitarian crisis response, in line with the growing needs of crisis-affected environments.
Dr. Abdel Fattah Qarman, Dean of Scientific Research and Libraries at Isra University, emphasized that the conclusion of the course represents an important milestone in the university’s efforts to strengthen its international academic partnerships and benefit from global expertise in developing training programs, scientific research, and capacity building.
Qarman explained that cooperation with international academic institutions contributes to advancing scientific knowledge and practices and opens new opportunities for researchers and academic staff to learn and develop. He stressed the importance of directing such partnerships toward pressing, real-world issues, particularly public health and humanitarian crisis response, in order to meet the needs of Palestinian society amid the current exceptional circumstances.
For his part, Hassan Abu Obeid, Head of the Field Training Department at the Faculty of Intermediate Studies and the course coordinator in Palestine, stated that the course provided participants with a valuable training opportunity and contributed to enhancing their knowledge and skills in dealing with humanitarian crises, understanding the challenges facing public health systems, and identifying mechanisms for strengthening their ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.
Abu Obeid noted that the course provided a space for learning and exchanging experiences between participants and specialists, while linking theoretical knowledge with practical applications. This, he said, enhances the readiness of professionals to address the growing health and humanitarian challenges.
The course covered several specialized topics, most notably humanitarian crises and public health systems, health responses in emergencies, capacity building, health systems development, and evidence-based practices. It also addressed the challenges facing the health sector in crisis-affected environments and ways to improve the efficiency of health systems and strengthen their response capacity.
The organization and conclusion of the course come within the framework of Isra University’s designation as a Learning Hub in Palestine, representing a new step in the university’s efforts to expand its presence within the international education, training, and scientific research landscape, while providing high-quality opportunities for learning, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
The course also represents an important advancement in the path of joint scientific cooperation, bringing together international academic expertise and local needs and contributing to the application of knowledge and scientific research toward developing more effective and sustainable solutions to the health and humanitarian challenges facing Palestinian society.