Under the patronage of Major General Rafea Rawajba, Governor of Qalqiliya, the Environment Quality Authority and Al Quds Open University in Qalqilya organized celebrating the National Day of the Environment and a scientific day entitled "The Palestinian Environment: Reality and Challenges". The meeting was held by the presence  of HE Eng. Adala AL-Attireh, Head of PA Environment Quality Authority, Prof. Samir Al-Najdi, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nour Al-Aqra Director of Qalqilya Branch, and Eng. Issam Al-qasim Director of the Environmental Quality Authority. In addition to governmental and civil and military institutions, administrative and academic bodies, and students of the Branch.

Dr. Al-Aqra welcomed the attendees hoping to come out with important outputs and recommendations that shall contribute to solving problems and issues related to our Palestinian reality. Dr. Al-Aqra’ appealed to Eng.  Al-Atira to adopt a solar energy installation project for the University building  in Qalqilya through the partners of the Energy Authority.

 Prof. Al-Najdi stressed that we, the Palestinians, need to build a culture to protect the environment in a sustainable manner. This requires focusing on developing environmental awareness in schools, universities, factories and agricultural fields. It requires investment in environmental education, especially in universities, to meet the needs of the Palestinian environment. It also requires cooperation with research centers in our universities in order to find solutions to the problems of the local environment, based on the importance of consolidating the concepts of the environment and the importance of protecting it as a national priority. He also reviewed the history of the Palestinian University and its interest in environmental and developmental issues.

 Prof. Najdi praised the efforts of the Environmental Quality Authority and its continuous follow-up of the environmental file in a professional manner.

Eng. Al-Atira thanked Al-Quds Open University for organizing the scientific day, adding that the consideration of Jerusalem as the capital of the Arab environment came at the request of the State of Palestine to the Arab League as an appreciation of the city of Jerusalem.

The Chairman of the session, Dr. Zaher Hanani opened the session, while  Ms. Tahani Abu Daqqa presented a scientific paper entitled "The importance of using clean energy in the governorate of Qalqilya", Dr. Mohammed Abu Olbah, a faculty member at Qalqilya branch, presented a paper entitled "The role of Palestinian Universities in spreading environmental awareness in the Palestinian society", Eng. Aktham Badran presented a paper entitled "The Sound Management of Solid Waste”,  Captain Ali Al-Mughrabi presented a paper entitled" The role of environmental police in the protecting  the Palestinian environment,” and last paper was presented by researcher Ms. Du'aa Dridi entitled "The Effect of Pesticides on the Palestinian Environment."

The scientific session was concluded by open discussion and then honoring the Environmental Quality Authority and Al Quds Open University researchers who participated in the scientific day.