Al-Quds Open University organized the inaugural meeting of the international project “Education Against All Odds: strengthening higher education in Palestine” held in Amman, Jordan, from 14–17 November in partnership with the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) in Belgium and the Palestinian Evaluation Association.

The project is built on a clear vision: preparing a new generation of young evaluators capable of driving institutional development and promoting positive change within the education sector and the wider community.Dr. Aida Bakeer emphasized that QOU’s engagement in the project aims to empower its students and academics by providing specialized training in educational and social evaluation, while also reinforcing effective evaluation practices within higher education institutions. Dr. Bakeer noted that the project further seeks to support applied research that responds to the needs of Palestinian society and to expand international partnerships that enable knowledge exchange and capacity development both locally and globally. Project Director Dr. Sarah Dochter from the Belgian institute highlighted the importance of collaboration among project partners, praising QOU’s leadership in coordinating, organizing, and preparing the agenda for the implementation of upcoming activities.Dr. Sophia Rimawi, President of the Palestinian Evaluation Association, noted that the successful workshop held by the partners contributed significantly to achieving the project’s goals and expected outcomes. The workshop laid the foundation for the project’s core components, planned its implementation stages, and clarified the roles of each partner. She underscored that the commitment shown by all parties reflects the pivotal role that Al-Quds Open University plays in all phases of the project.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants stressed the importance of continued collaboration among all partners to ensure the successful delivery of the project’s outcomes and to build a sustainable international network of young evaluators who will contribute to enhancing the quality and developmental capacity of higher education in Palestine.