This study, the first of its kind in Palestine, is titled:“Strengthening midwifery education: An Assessment of Bachelor’s degree midwifery curricula in the West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).”

The project was led by Dr. Sahar Hassan from the Department of Nursing and the Master’s Program in Women’s Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions at Birzeit University.

The research team from An-Najah National University included Dr. Eman Alshaweesh- Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Aidah Abu Elsoud Alkaissi - Director of  Life Support training center, and Mrs. Raheejeh Awni - Faculty member in the Midwifery program, from the Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with researchers from Birzeit University, Al-Quds University, Bethlehem University, Nablus University for Vocational and Technical Education, and Hebron University, as well as Juzoor for Health and Social Development.

The study aimed to evaluate bachelor’s degree midwifery programs across five Palestinian universities and align them with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Essential Competencies, identifying strengths and challenges within curricula and clinical training. The findings revealed significant progress in Palestinian midwifery education since its establishment in 1997, along with a need for further curriculum updates, enhanced clinical training, and continuous professional development for academic faculty.

The researchers from the Faculty of Nursing at An-Najah National University stated that this study represents “a national milestone toward advancing midwifery education in Palestine, ensuring alignment with international standards, and enhancing the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare.”

The study also emphasized the importance of integrating midwifery competencies for emergency and humanitarian contexts into Palestinian curricula, given the challenging conditions in which midwives operate. It called for regular academic program reviews and the use of simulation and modern educational technologies to ensure comprehensive preparation of midwifery graduates.

This achievement reflects the spirit of collaboration among Palestinian universities and reaffirms the Faculty of Nursing at An-Najah National University’s commitment to advancing applied scientific research that serves the community and contributes to improving women’s and children’s health in Palestine. The project was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through Juzoor for Health and Social Development under the MIDRED initiative (Midwifery Research and Education Development).