Al-Quds Open University Center for Agricultural Research, in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture, the Center for Continuing Education and Community Service, and the University’s Jericho Branch, organized a specialized training workshop on the principles of Plant Micropropagation. The workshop, held on 16–17 September 2025, aimed to preserve biodiversity in Palestine, in line with the University’s vision of advancing environmental conservation, empowering students, and enhancing their skills in biotechnology.

The event was part of the endangered Nablus Iris  Conservation Project, implemented in partnership with Siirt University in Turkey and funded by the Canadian Biobridge Foundation.

Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ma’zouz Alawneh, praised the workshop as a “successful model of linking academic knowledge with applied practice,” while the Dean of Agriculture, Dr. Khaled Hardan, highlighted the urgent need to conserve rare plants such as the Nablus Iris and announced a plan to establish a garden at the University’s Ramallah campus to preserve rare and endangered species.

The workshop engaged 15 students from the Plant Production and Protection program, under the supervision of Dr. Aziz Salameh and Ms. Asma Masaaid, providing hands-on training in tissue culture techniques.

Participating students expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the workshop enriched their technical skills, opened new horizons in plant conservation and biotechnology, and motivated them to pursue advanced training in this vital field—whether for protecting endangered species or propagating plants of economic value to strengthen Palestine’s agricultural sector.