The Ministry of Agriculture and the Arab American University sign a memorandum of cooperation to enhance scientific and training partnership and serve the agricultural sector.

•  Slaimiya: Developing agricultural education must be based on the needs of food and water security and smart agriculture.
•  The Ministry expresses its readiness to utilize its facilities and the National Center for Agricultural Research to enhance cooperation.
•  Asfour: The university is ready for effective cooperation that serves the national interest and benefits the agricultural sector.

Ramallah: August 12, 2026

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, received the Head of the Arab American University, Dr. Baraa Asfour, and his accompanying delegation at his office in the Ministry headquarters in Ramallah. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in agricultural, scientific, and academic fields, and to link education and scientific research to the needs of the agricultural sector. During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry and the University. It was signed by Minister Slaimiya and University President Asfour, in the presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative and Planning Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Zakarna; the Director General of Non-Governmental Organizations, Engineer Ahmed Lafi; the Director General of International Relations, Engineer Mahmoud Fatafta; the Vice President of the Arab American University in Ramallah, Professor Dr. Muhammad Asia; and the Director of the Communications and Public Relations Department at the University, Ms. Samah Naifeh.

Minister Slaimiya reviewed the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and the programs and projects it implements to serve the agricultural sector, support Palestinian farmers, and advance the sector. He emphasized the importance of integration with academic and research institutions and stressed the need to develop agricultural education and modernize specializations according to the sector's actual needs, particularly in the areas of food and water security, smart agriculture, agricultural and food industries, field and fodder crops, smart irrigation, and drought and soil management.

Slaimiya indicated the Ministry's readiness to enhance cooperation with the university through its various facilities, most notably the National Center for Agricultural Research, and to leverage the research, technical, and academic capabilities of both sides. This collaboration aims to translate the outputs of scientific research and education into practical applications that benefit the agricultural sector and Palestinian farmers.

For his part, Asfour commended the Ministry of Agriculture's role in supporting farmers and developing the agricultural sector. He affirmed the university's full readiness to activate effective and fruitful cooperation with the Ministry and to link education and scientific research to the needs of the productive sectors, thus serving the national interest and contributing to the development of Palestinian expertise and skills. The memorandum of cooperation includes implementing joint media and awareness programs and activities, organizing conferences, workshops, and scientific events, providing practical training opportunities for university students at Ministry of Agriculture facilities and involving them in community activities, in addition to exchanging expertise and knowledge.

It also includes the university offering partial scholarships for master's studies to a number of ministry employees in relevant disciplines, contributing to developing competencies and strengthening institutional capacities. Both parties affirmed that the memorandum represents an important step towards an effective partnership that utilizes education, scientific research, and training to serve the agricultural sector, enhance food and water security, and support Palestinian farmers.