Bethlehem University celebrated significant achievements at the VII Uniservitate Global Symposium, held 26-27 October 2026, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, under the theme “Designing Maps of Hope through Service-Learning.” The University received two international recognitions, showcased its award-winning service-learning initiatives to a global audience, and strengthened its international partnerships through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the university leadership meeting in Rome on October 28.

The Bethlehem University delegation included Dr. Iman Saca, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Paola Handal, Co-Director of the Academic Innovation Hub and Service-Learning Coordinator; Mr. Layth R. Awwad, Instructor in the Department of English, and Faculty Specialist in Community Engagement and Service-Learning at the Academic Innovation Hub; Ms. Sabah Ikmayes from the Faculty of Education; and student Ms. Chantal Awad.

A major highlight was Bethlehem University’s success in the Uniservitate Award 2026. Mr. Layth R. Awwad received the Regional First Prize for Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East for his service-learning project, “Communicating for Change: Breaking the Silence on the Hidden Realities of Abandoned Children at the Holy Family Children’s Home in Palestine.” The interdisciplinary initiative brought together 52 students from the English and Education departments, combining direct engagement with children at the Holy Family Children’s Home with digital storytelling, awareness-raising, and ethical communication. Through the development of ten English-language websites and blogs, students worked to raise awareness of the realities faced by abandoned children while promoting dignity, empathy, and responsible representation.

The project “Rising from the Rubble: A Dignified Journey of Recovery for People with War-Related Disabilities in Gaza,” led by Mr. Ramzi Assali and Ms. Maram Daboub from the Department of English, alongside Ms. Sabah Ikmayes from the Faculty of Education, also received a Special Mention. Bringing together 49 students across four courses, the initiative addressed the promotion of peaceful and fraternal societies and active citizenship, highlighting the project’s contribution to dignity, inclusion, and advocacy for people with war-related disabilities in Gaza. Ms. Sabah Ikmayes presented this project during the session “Promotion of Active Citizenship to Revitalize Democratic Institutions and Partnerships for the Goals,” highlighting how service-learning can empower students to engage with pressing social issues, promote human dignity, and contribute to more inclusive communities.

Bethlehem University’s contributions were further highlighted through several presentations during the symposium. On 26 October 2026, Mr. Awwad presented his award-winning project during the concurrent session on Quality Education, sharing the initiative’s approach to combining academic learning with meaningful community engagement. On 27 October, he also contributed to the plenary session “Creating a More Humane Digital World through Service-Learning,” serving as coach of the “Guardians of the Human” and delivering his own remarks on the growing urgency of service-learning in the age of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the importance of preserving human connection in education, particularly as learning becomes increasingly mediated by screens and communities face growing fragmentation.

Ms. Chantal Awad, a student of Mr. Awwad and a member of his award-winning project, represented Bethlehem University during the Student Voices session. She presented “Hands That Help,” a student-led digital initiative developed as part of the project, highlighting how students used digital communication and storytelling to raise awareness about the children at the Holy Family Children’s Home. These contributions reflected the University’s commitment to student engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responding to community needs.

On 28 October, the Bethlehem University delegation also attended the General Audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, marking another memorable moment of their visit to Rome.

These achievements reflect Bethlehem University’s ongoing commitment to connecting academic learning with community needs, strengthening international partnerships, and promoting the values of faith, service, and community engagement. At a time when Palestine faces extraordinary challenges, the University’s faculty and students demonstrated how service-learning can amplify marginalized voices, foster meaningful connections, and create opportunities for hope and positive change.