The Third Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange National Information Day took place simultaneously in Ramallah and Gaza (via videoconferencing connection) on the 24th of November, organised in collaboration with the Palestinian National Erasmus+ Office and the Islamic University of Gaza. 

During the event, representatives from the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange consortium presented the latest developments and the upcoming opportunities offered through this flagship initiative. They stressed its value in equipping young people with 21stCentury skills; needed to succeed in today’s globalised world, such as digital literacy, teamwork, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding. Representatives from the Islamic University of Gaza and Bethlehem University shared their positive experience in involving their students in the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange initiative.

The event was attended by 140 participants from a high number of national higher education institutions and organisations working in the youth sector, including high-level representatives such as Dr. Ihab Qubbaj, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, the President of the Islamic University of Gaza, Professor Nasser Farahata and the Director of UNIMED, Mr. Marcello Scalisi.

The use of Virtual Exchange to complement student’s mobility, to foster universities’ internationalisation as well as to broaden young people’s perspectives and connections with the world, emerged as a clear priority for the Palestinian higher education and youth communities. In the words of Dr. Mahdi Kleibo, Lecturer at Bethlehem University: “This is a new mindset, the experience transformed me, it can really reshape our way of teaching and learning. I am 100% committed to introducing Virtual Exchange in my university to empower my students. It is only added value!”