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Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and with support from the Government of Japan, has inaugurated a specialized vocational training unit in beauty and skincare at Deir al-Ghusun Girls’ Secondary School in Tulkarm Governorate. The opening took place under the project “Supporting Livelihoods and Economic Recovery through Accelerated Skills Training for Palestinian Youth.”
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Education and Higher Education Prof. Amjad Barham; Tulkarm Governor Dr. Abdullah Kmeil; PTUK President Prof. Hussein Shanak; Ambassador of Japan to Palestine Katsuhiko Araki; and Head of the UNESCO Office in Palestine Karim Hindali, alongside representatives of official, local, and educational institutions, the school administration, teaching and administrative staff, and students.
The inauguration is part of joint efforts to advance technical and vocational education and provide specialized training environments where female students can acquire practical skills aligned with labor market needs. The initiative aims to improve their prospects for employment and self-employment, thereby supporting women’s economic empowerment and strengthening livelihoods in Palestinian communities.
In his address, Minister of Education and Higher Education Prof. Amjad Barham stressed the importance of continuing to develop technical and vocational education in Palestine. He commended the support provided by the Government and people of Japan, as well as UNESCO and its partners’ efforts to support the Palestinian education sector, particularly amid the difficult circumstances facing the Palestinian people.
Prof. Barham described the opening as another milestone in the development of vocational education, reflecting the Ministry’s strategic commitment to empowering students and equipping them with practical skills that facilitate their entry into the labor market. He emphasized the importance of sustaining local and international partnerships to advance this agenda and provide Palestinian youth with high-quality training opportunities.
He added that the challenges facing the education sector, including damage to schools in the Gaza Strip and the closure of schools in Jerusalem, have not weakened the determination of Palestinian educators to continue their educational mission. Teachers and students, he stressed, embody the Palestinian people’s resilience, commitment to learning and creativity, and determination to uphold their right to education on their own land.
Prof. Barham also noted that the Ministry is continuing to expand technical and vocational education. He announced plans to open new vocational and technical schools and convert another school in Tulkarm Governorate to the vocational education track, broadening students’ educational options while responding to community and labor market needs.
For his part, Tulkarm Governor Maj. Gen. Dr. Abdullah Kmeil emphasized that applied and vocational education has become an urgent necessity in light of rapid changes and evolving labor market requirements. He noted that many countries around the world are strengthening technical and vocational education as a key pathway for preparing qualified professionals and equipping young people with essential practical skills.
Maj. Gen. Dr. Kmeil reaffirmed his support for the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen and expand technical and vocational education, describing it as a fundamental requirement for development that creates better opportunities for students, enhances their ability to enter the labor market, and enables them to contribute to society.
The Governor also praised Japan’s political support for the Palestinian people and its continued solidarity with Palestine. He highlighted the importance of Palestinian-Japanese relations and the longstanding ties of cooperation and solidarity between the two sides, particularly in light of the violations committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. He also expressed appreciation for UNESCO and other international institutions that continue to support the Palestinian people and vital sectors, especially education and vocational training.
He added that Palestinians aspire to live in freedom and stability and are committed to preparing educated, qualified generations capable of creativity and excellence, paving the way towards freedom, independence, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
PTUK President Prof. Hussein Shanak emphasized that the opening of the beauty and skincare training unit highlights the importance of investing in people and providing educational and training opportunities that enable Palestinian youth to develop their capabilities and overcome challenges. He noted that the project represents a model of effective partnership between national and international institutions in serving communities and promoting development.
Prof. Shanak explained that aligning education with community needs and labor market requirements has become increasingly important under current circumstances. The unit, he noted, offers female students the opportunity to acquire professional and practical skills in a specialized learning environment, while introducing them to new pathways for employment and productive work. It will help improve their prospects of securing jobs or establishing their own businesses in the future.
He reaffirmed PTUK’s pride in its role in implementing the project and contributing to the equipping of the vocational unit, in keeping with the University’s educational and community mission. He added that PTUK’s technical expertise and knowledge can support training programs, develop practical skills, and improve young people’s opportunities for economic participation.
Prof. Shanak expressed hope that the unit would become a sustainable space for learning, hands-on training, and achievement, opening up broader opportunities for female students and inspiring success stories that demonstrate the positive impact of development partnerships on individuals and communities.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Palestine Katsuhiko Araki expressed his pleasure at attending the inauguration and congratulated the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, UNESCO, and all partners who contributed to this achievement.
He affirmed that Japan continues to support the Palestinian people in their efforts to develop the economy and establish sustainable livelihoods. He noted that the Palestinian-Japanese partnership spans decades and that Japan’s total assistance to Palestine since 1993 has amounted to approximately US$2.8 billion.
The Ambassador emphasized that acquiring vocational skills is a first step towards building a more economically secure future. He encouraged the students to continue learning, develop their skills, and make the most of available training opportunities. He also stressed the importance of providing a supportive environment that enables them to access employment or establish their own businesses, including through developing management and marketing knowledge and facilitating access to information and job opportunities.
He reiterated Japan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the difficult humanitarian and economic conditions, highlighting the importance of addressing urgent needs while also investing in sustainable development and capacity-building to strengthen self-reliance.
For his part, Head of the UNESCO Office in Palestine Karim Hindali stated that continuing to build, produce, and create opportunities for young people despite challenges and difficulties represents an investment in people and strengthens communities’ resilience. He noted that developing vocational training units helps build productive capacities and opens new pathways to employment and self-reliance.
He explained that these units give female students opportunities to gain hands-on experience and acquire skills that they can use in the labor market or build upon to establish their own businesses. He emphasized that women’s economic empowerment involves more than providing employment opportunities; it also strengthens women’s independence and their role in economic and social development.
Mr. Hindali praised the partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and PTUK, as well as Japan’s support and the cooperation of Tulkarm Governorate, Deir al-Ghusun Municipality, and the school administration. He stressed the importance of continuing this collaboration to develop vocational training and align it with labor market needs.
School Principal Sakina Alyan explained that the opening marks the launch of beauty and skincare as a specialization within the Home Economics stream. The dedicated training space is equipped with the necessary technology and supplies, enabling students to gain practical experience and broaden their educational and career options.
She emphasized that the achievement reflects effective cooperation among the participating partners and supporting institutions. She expressed appreciation for the Government of Japan’s support, UNESCO’s efforts, PTUK’s partnership, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Tulkarm Directorate of Education, as well as the follow-up and support provided by Tulkarm Governorate and Deir al-Ghusun Municipality.
Ms. Alyan expressed hope that the unit would become a space for learning, creativity, and production, helping prepare female students with the skills and confidence needed to build their professional futures. She also voiced her hope that similar initiatives would continue to strengthen vocational education and expand opportunities for Palestinian youth.
The inauguration forms part of broader efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and expand practical training opportunities for female students in line with local development priorities and labor market needs. The project also offers a model of cooperation that brings together available expertise and resources to develop vocational learning environments capable of making a lasting difference in the lives of students and their communities.
