Final preparations are underway for the launch of the 17th International Scientific Conference, organized by Al-Israa University – Palestine under the title:
“From the Heart of Destruction to Recovery and Reconstruction: Higher Education as a Technological Bridge for Innovation and Building Sustainable Societies.”
The conference is scheduled to take place on March 27, 28, and 29, 2026, with both in-person and virtual participation, amid exceptional circumstances facing the region.
The conference is held in partnership with Birzeit University, the Generation Research Center, and the London Center for Social Research and Consultation, with broad participation from researchers and experts from Palestine and across the Arab world, as well as academic institutions and specialized research centers.
The conference chair, Dr. Munia Mazid, Dean of Graduate Studies at Al-Israa University, confirmed that preparations have entered their final stages in anticipation of the conference’s launch on Friday, March 27, for a duration of two days. She noted that this scientific event comes at a highly sensitive time that requires collective efforts to address the impacts of destruction and promote recovery pathways.
Mazid explained that the conference aims to highlight the pivotal role of higher education and technology in rebuilding war-affected societies and transforming challenges into real opportunities for innovation and sustainable development.
She added that the conference seeks to develop smart technological solutions to address the consequences of conflicts, foremost among them the destruction of infrastructure and population displacement, in addition to rebuilding higher education systems to be more flexible and adaptable to ongoing changes.
On the scientific front, the head of the scientific committee, Prof. Sarour Al-Talbi, announced the completion of the review and approval of submitted research papers, with a total of 55 researchers from various Arab countries participating—reflecting the conference’s importance and regional scale. She confirmed that the submitted research covered multiple themes and focused on providing practical, implementable solutions to support reconstruction efforts based on modern scientific foundations.
For his part, the head of the preparatory committee, Prof. Abdel Fattah Qarman, stated that logistical and technical preparations have been completed, including the تجهيز of halls and digital platforms that will enable remote participation in consideration of current conditions. He added that the scientific program has been finalized and includes specialized sessions and workshops addressing reconstruction from economic, social, educational, and media perspectives, with participation from leading academics and decision-makers.
In the media context, the head of the media committee, Dr. Asmaa Al-Shaqaqi, emphasized the importance of media in supporting reconstruction efforts and strengthening community resilience. She stressed the need to unify media messaging in a way that serves development and rebuilding efforts. She also noted that the committee has intensified its efforts to ensure comprehensive and professional coverage of the conference activities through coordination with media outlets and the launch of awareness campaigns highlighting its objectives and themes.
The organizing committees continue their intensive work to complete final preparations for the Reconstruction Conference, at a critical stage that requires the highest levels of coordination and collective national and international efforts, contributing to supporting recovery and establishing foundations for sustainable development capable of addressing current challenges.
The conference is expected to witness broad and high-quality participation, including a distinguished group of academics, experts, and decision-makers, along with representatives of relevant local and international institutions. This reflects the importance of strengthening partnerships and unifying visions to advance reconstruction efforts toward more effective and sustainable paths.
The conference is also expected to serve as a prominent scientific and dialogue platform for exchanging expertise and proposing practical initiatives, supporting reconstruction plans and enhancing opportunities for sustainable development despite the exceptional challenges facing the Gaza Strip. It is anticipated that the conference outcomes will lead to practical, actionable recommendations that contribute to building a knowledge- and innovation-based recovery model, strengthening the community’s capacity for resilience and rebuilding.