The Arab American University president, Prof. Dr. Ali Zedan Abu Zuhri, received an academic and student delegation from the American Shenandoah University, which is a partner in developing the use of advanced technology according to an agreement previously signed between the two parties.
The visiting delegation included Dr. Mohammad Obeid, Director of the Virtual and Supported Reality Program, Assistant Professor of Exercise Sciences and Fellow of the COIL Collaboration Program Dr. Bobby Hilliard, 360 Film Production Specialist Mr. Willi Graff, VR Development Specialist Mr. Wes Brown, the student Orion Tai, whose Bachelor of Virtual World Design, and the student John Olbrick, whose Bachelor of Virtual World Design.
Along with the university president, the delegation was received by the Vice President for Medical Faculties Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Asia, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Muayad Abusaa, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Eng. Bara Asfour, Dean of Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Lobna Harazne, and Dr. Ahmad Ewais, The E-Learning Centre Director at the Arab American University.
The university president, Prof. Dr. Abu Zuhri, welcomed the visiting American delegation, which is visiting the university for four days, to conduct the first experiments to apply the use of virtual reality technologies in the education and training of nursing students. The President indicated that this experience is the first of its kind in Palestine. He also emphasized that the university is always striving To develop diverse and unique programs, in addition to developing academic programs according to international scientific specifications in partnership with international academic institutions, stressing the importance of partnership with the American Shenandoah University, which has a clear imprint on the international map, including education through virtual reality to help students learn.
For his part, the Director of the Virtual Reality Program at Shenandoah University, Dr. Mohammad Obeid, expressed his happiness for visiting the Arab American University, emphasizing the importance of joint cooperation between the two universities. “Our visit to the Arab American University is part of a research project that began in 2021 under the leadership of me and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Asia From your university, which is the first of its kind in Palestine. It includes a virtual reality platform that contributes to students learning basic nursing skills, which are taught in nursing laboratories using the platform”, he said. “Students will be able to complete their learning through this advanced technology”, he added.
During the reception, a documentary was shown about the university's establishment and the most prominent academic programs in doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees. The university president also honored the visiting delegation with appreciation plaques.
