Al-Quds University

Al-Quds University

جامعة القدس
Type	Public
Established	1970
Founder	Zuhair Al-Karmi
Budget	US$2 million (annual)
President	Imad Abu Kishek
Administrative staff	1,000
Undergraduates	13,000
Postgraduates	2,000
Address	Abu Dis, University Street, Jerusalem Governorate, State of Palestine Other locations: Beit Hanina al-Bireh Hebron
Campus	{[Convert|47|acre}}
Website	www.alquds.edu/en/

Al-Quds University (Arabic: جامعة القدس) is a Palestinian public university in Abu Dis located in the Jerusalem Governorate, Palestine. It is largest the Palestinian university in the city of Jerusalem. The main campus is located in Abu Dis area of Jerusalem and additional campuses in Al-Bireh, Hebron and various locations across Jerusalem.

It is one of the highly ranked universities in Palestine. In 2023, Al Quds University achieved 5–star rating in Quality Standards. The university is locally known for its innovation programs in the field of high–tech industry and collaborations. In 2017, it was ranked as ‘most socially responsible university’ in the Arab world. In 2001, Al–Quds Medical School, medical branch of the university got official recognition.

History

The university was merged from several institutions. After establishment of Hebrew University for city's Jewish sector, a plan of establishing Palestinian university in Jerusalem, was released at All Islamic Conference. Al Quds University was established by merging four institutions — Hind al-Husseini College, College of Daawa and Religious Principles, Colleges of Medical Professions and Science and Technology and Faculty of Arts & Center for Islamic Archaeology in 1984 — by Palestinian organizations.

The Israeli West Bank barrier built in 2004 have impeded university operations. Students have been injured and many of the students studying at the university have faced tear gas and some students have been shot.

Campuses

Abu Dis

Al–Quds University's main campus is located in Abu Dis, which borders Jerusalem and have close proximity to the Temple Mount. The university campus is spread across an area of 47 acres (190,000 m²). On several occasion, exhibitions are organized by the university at its campus premises.

• 
  A man–made pond in campus
• 
  Arabic graphiti on walls of university
• 
  Main building of the campus
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  "We Love Jerusalem" at Abu Dis campus of the university
• 
  A road towards Al–Quds University, picture taken in 2018

Beit Hanina

Bayt Mal Al Quds Al–Sharif Agency, a Moroccan organization have planned to construct a new campus in Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina. The budget is estimated to US$500,000. The upcoming campus also includes stadium, green areas equipped with irrigation systems, rainwater recycling station and experimental farm. It will also include fully–equipped ecological museum and installation of solar panels.

Partnerships

Brandeis University

The relationship between Brandeis University and Al-Quds ended in 2013 following a demonstration at Al-Quds and a widely criticized response from the Al-Quds University administration.

Bard College

In February 2009, Bard College announced the first dual degree program between a Palestinian university and an American institution of higher education. The college entered into a collaboration with Al-Quds University, which included founding an honors college, a masters program in teaching and a model high school.

Faculty

Al-Quds University's faculties:

Academy for Global Justice

In 2018, Al-Quds University launched the Al-Quds Academy for Global Justice, an institute that will focus on teaching, training, and research in the areas of international criminal law and human rights. Palestinian Justice Minister Ali Abu Diak also delivered a speech at the event.

Notable alumni

• Wafa al Bass (born 1984), failed suicide bomber

See also

• List of Islamic educational institutions
• Category:Al-Quds University alumni
• List of Palestinian universities
• Education in the Palestinian territories