Dania Shakhdam, a student at Al-Quds Open University’s Faculty of Agriculture majoring in Plant Production and Protection, participated in a specialized training program at the University of Sant’Anna in Italy. The training, held from May 5 to 9, 2025, focused on modern applications in plant breeding and biotechnology, as part of the BREEDTECH project. The training brought together students from various European, African, and Palestinian universities.

Dania expressed her happiness and gratitude for this unique opportunity, made possible through the student exchange program. She highlighted that the training covered a range of topics, including hybridization, genetics, and genetic engineering applications, and praised the experience for allowing her to engage with diverse cultures, languages, and academic environments from across Europe and Africa. 

“This kind of experience has truly broadened my horizons and will be a strong motivator for me to pursue graduate studies,” she said.

She also extended her sincere thanks to her university, both academic and administrative staff, particularly Dr. Khaled Hardan and Dr. Aziz Salameh, for enabling her participation in this enriching international opportunity.

It is worth noting that the BREEDTECH project, funded by the Erasmus+ program, brings together ten educational institutions from Ethiopia, Kenya, Serbia, Sweden, Italy, and Palestine, including Al-Quds Open University.