In a significant achievement that strengthens its regional and international standing, Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology has received approval from the European Union to implement a new international project titled “Innovative Textile for Palestine and Lebanon (INTexPaL)” under the Erasmus+ CBVET Capacity Building Program in Vocational Education and Training (2025). The project will run for 36 months starting January 2026.

Funded by the European Union, INTexPaL aims to empower women and youth in Palestine and Lebanon, including marginalized groups and Palestinian refugees, by providing access to high-quality vocational education and training in the textile and fashion industries. The project will enhance their technical and entrepreneurial skills and create new employment opportunities in local and regional markets.

The project will establish four model vocational training centers specializing in fashion design and garment production, integrating cutting-edge digital technologies such as CLO 3D, Blue Cherry, and C-Design Fashion. It will also equip INTexPaL Labs at the college as innovative learning spaces that promote creativity, design, and production.

Dr. Amer Massad, Dean of Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology, stated: “This EU-funded project reflects the college’s growing international recognition in technical and vocational education. It will directly enhance our Fashion and Textile program by introducing advanced digital design and production technologies that align with modern labor market needs.”

Mr. Alaa Darwish, Head of the Studies and Projects Unit, emphasized that the project builds on the college’s strong record in managing international partnerships: “INTexPaL reaffirms the European Union’s confidence in the college’s capacity to deliver high-impact initiatives. It will also open doors for knowledge exchange between our academic staff and European partners.”

The project will be implemented in cooperation with partner institutions from Greece, Italy, Romania, Lebanon, and Palestine, including universities, research centers, and vocational organizations specializing in textiles and fashion design.

Through this initiative, Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology continues to expand its global collaborations and advance innovation in vocational education, particularly in fashion, design, and sustainable textile development.