AQB Virtual Graduation Day- Class of 2020

Al-Quds University held a virtual graduation day on campus on Saturday, October 17^th, 2020, where AQB Bachelor (BA) and Master of Arts and Teaching (MAT) students were able to take part in recognizing their achievements by filming a graduation video, under strict safety regulations. This year, AQB proudly sends out its eighth BA cohort and tenth MAT cohort, confident that they have been equipped for success in the face of the testing times that dominate the region and the rest of the world. Al-Quds University has been very creative in grappling with the challenges presented by the current global conditions and utilized every possible opportunity to celebrate the joy of graduation, adopting a virtual method for graduation that guaranteed the safety of students and their parents. Video footages taken from this graduation day will be integrated into a final video that students can share with their community.

AQB graduates of 8th BA cohort and 10th MAT cohort of class 2020.

AQB graduates have been so thrilled to participate, despite that this year has been utterly different than previous years. Students dressed in their AQU caps and gowns to pose for video and photos with the picturesque AQB building and AQU campus as a backdrop. Students toured the campus and took photos with the assistance of AQU media team who accompanied them to capture these special moments.

This fall AQB graduated 41 BA and 15 MAT students. AQB is proud of its graduates as they leave the College to join the growing community of more than 800 alumni and to start a new journey in a variety of fields and positions. We wish them the best with their future endeavors and looking forward to crossing paths with them during their future careers and business.

AQB Launches the Only Molecular Genetics Bachelor Program in the West Bank

The Molecular Genetics program students conducting a microscope experiment under the instructions of AQB Head of Science Division, Prof. Mahmoud Khalid.

The AQB community is excited to launch the first and only bachelor program in Molecular Genetics found in the Palestinian territory. This program came to fruition after enormous efforts invested on all levels to design, develop, and produce a unique program that integrates a liberal art philosophy at its core. AQB Molecular Genetics challenges traditional pedagogical techniques in the sciences, that concentrate on enforcing academic materials as one-dimensional facts, by fostering liberal arts thinking that encourages students to move toward multifaceted approaches to reach new territories of knowledge and discovery. Through AQB’s liberal arts curriculum, students will be able to engage in other academic fields such as social sciences, humanities, and the arts, which leads to graduates who are better able to connect their scientific studies to the wider spheres of economics, law, politics, or even literature. The advantages of an interdisciplinary approach have been made all the more relevant in light of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses, governments, legislative bodies, and individuals have had to adjust their work and lifestyle as a result of the research done by micro- and molecular biologists.

The Molecular Genetics program students conducting an empirical formula experimen under the instructions of AQB Lab Coordinator, Amal Jaber.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Palestine, first-year students are required to take the theoretical portion of their fall semester courses such as fundamental Biology, Cell Biology, and molecular biology, in an online setting. However, the lab segments of these courses have been held on campus under strict safety measures. AQB first-year Molecular Genetics student, Sarah Manasrah says, “I think I found the place that will provide me with the information that I need for my future."

AQB Molecular Genetics faculty member, Dr. Zaidoun Salah, prepares a PCR experiment at AQB labs.

Innovative Educational Methods: AQB is Leading by Example

The Center for Teaching & Learnin's Logo

The Al-Quds Bard College Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) held a workshop on Saturday, October 3, 2002, entitled, "Remote Teaching - Reflections and Strategies." Participants were MAT candidates, who are full time teachers and school principals from more than five districts across the West Bank. This workshop was designed to stimulate reflective thinking about the experiences of participants in remote teaching settings since the beginning of the pandemic. Participants identified problems and obstacles they faced related to remote teaching, then also engaged in a discussion on alternatives and solutions to these issues. At the end of this online workshop, participants were introduced to learning tools and techniques through direct experience which would empower them to master the virtual classroom. Dr. Rana Alsurkhi, CTL Director, and the workshop instructor reflects, “This workshop is part of our efforts to remain in touch with MAT alumni as we transition from the traditional classroom setting to other hybrid and remote learning models during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all agreed that one of our main goals during this time is building the sense of community among learners, in addition to providing a meaningful learning experience for all learners."

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Al-Quds Bard College for Arts and Sciences · Abu Dis · Jerusalem 00000 · Palestine