QADER and the Polytechnic sign a memorandum of understanding to include people with disabilities in the Palestinian labor market.

QADER for Community Development, represented by its Director General, Mrs. Lana Bandak, and Palestine Polytechnic University, represented by its President, Dr. Mustafa Abu Al-Safa, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The agreement aims to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities in accessing inclusive and equal higher education, and to develop their academic and professional skills, thereby enabling them to actively and productively participate in society and the Palestinian labor market.

During the visit, Mrs. Bandak emphasized that this signing is part of QADER's ongoing efforts to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in the labor market, thus ensuring their independence and allowing them to contribute equally to supporting the national economy. QADER's economic empowerment program targets persons with disabilities of all genders and types of disabilities, their families, and employers from the private, civil, and local government sectors. The foundation collaborates with all relevant official entities, with universities at the forefront, in addition to other institutions and organizations, in order to contribute to creating an encouraging environment for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Palestinian labor market.

Dr. Abu Al-Safa, the university president, welcomed the attendees and emphasized that Palestine Polytechnic University attaches great importance to including students with disabilities in its programs. The university is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment that guarantees full rights for students with disabilities in higher education. The university seeks to be a leading model in providing an academic environment that is suitable and welcoming to all students, based on its deep commitment to justice and raising the slogan of the right to education for all.

The memorandum aims to strengthen joint cooperation in the academic and professional empowerment of persons with disabilities. It focuses on developing an inclusive educational environment within the university by providing technical support to assess the level of inclusion, and developing a work plan to improve academic and administrative accommodations.

The agreement also includes: providing short-term professional training programs, offering specialized diplomas for persons with disabilities, providing appropriate exemptions and facilities, and supporting graduation projects and research that address disability issues. The collaboration also includes organizing joint workshops and awareness events, and exchanging trainees between both parties to enhance practical experiences and job skills, thereby increasing employment opportunities and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.