Bethlehem University’s partnership with Pro Terra Sancta is creating new opportunities for graduates of its Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program to develop specialized professional skills and contribute to the preservation of Palestinian heritage.

As part of this ongoing collaboration, a number of Bethlehem University graduates recently participated in a specialized training program in archaeological conservation conducted by experts from Sapienza University of Rome at the Osama Hamdan Cultural Center in Al-Eizariya.

Held from July 3 to 22, 2026, the training brought together Palestinian heritage professionals and graduates for an intensive combination of theoretical and practical learning. The program focused on the preliminary conservation of archaeological materials and basic diagnostic techniques, giving participants an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of how archaeological materials are documented, analyzed, sampled, and preserved.

The training included several areas of heritage conservation, including the restoration of paper archives, the study and documentation of archaeological materials such as ceramics and stone, and the appropriate selection, collection, and preservation of samples for further analysis. Participants were introduced to the practical considerations involved in fieldwork, including how to select samples under different working conditions and how to preserve them for future study or laboratory analysis.

For Bethlehem University graduates, the experience provided an important opportunity to move beyond academic knowledge and gain exposure to professional conservation practices. Fatima As’ad, a graduate of Bethlehem University’s Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program, was among the participants.

“This is my first training period, and I would like to thank La Sapienza University for having offered me an important opportunity to broaden my experience and knowledge in the field of archaeology,” As’ad said. “I believe that this course will help me to find a job in the future.”

The training was part of a broader program of cooperation between Palestinian and Italian institutions aimed at strengthening local expertise in cultural heritage conservation. According to Sapienza researcher Giulia Previti, the program is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge of sampling and basic diagnostic approaches that can support the continued study and preservation of archaeological materials.

The collaboration also builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Bethlehem University and Pro Terra Sancta Association in April 2025. The agreement established an innovative partnership to develop the first official Socio-Cultural Animator training program in Palestine, while also supporting the continued development of Bethlehem University’s Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program.

Signed on April 9, 2025, by Professor Iman Saca, Bethlehem University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Mr. Paolo Ferrari, Office Manager of Pro Terra Sancta, the MoU reflects a shared commitment to community development, youth empowerment, academic excellence, and the preservation of Palestinian cultural identity.

Under the partnership, selected graduates from Bethlehem University’s Master’s in Tourism Studies and Bachelor’s in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology programs receive specialized training and practical professional opportunities. The initiative combines academic preparation with hands-on experience in cultural heritage, community engagement, museums, and cultural institutions. Six selected participants were also offered fully funded six-month internships at museums and cultural institutions across the region.

This approach reflects Bethlehem University’s commitment to connecting education with professional practice. For students and graduates of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, learning extends from the classroom into archaeological sites, archives, museums, laboratories, and local communities.

The partnership with Pro Terra Sancta has already supported field-based learning opportunities for Bethlehem University’s Archaeology and Cultural Heritage students, including field trips and engagement with heritage sites and conservation initiatives.

Through these experiences, students and graduates gain a broader understanding of heritage preservation—one that encompasses not only archaeological excavation and the protection of material remains, but also documentation, conservation, interpretation, community engagement, and the transmission of cultural memory.

The Sapienza training represents another important step in this process. By connecting Bethlehem University graduates with international academic and professional expertise, the initiative helps build local capacity in specialized areas of archaeological conservation while opening pathways for further professional development.

The collaboration brings together Bethlehem University, Pro Terra Sancta, and Sapienza University of Rome around a shared goal: strengthening the knowledge and skills needed to safeguard Palestinian cultural heritage and ensure that its material and historical legacy can be studied, preserved, and passed on to future generations.

For Bethlehem University, such partnerships demonstrate the value of an education that does not end with graduation. They provide graduates with opportunities to continue learning, develop professional expertise, and contribute directly to the preservation of Palestine’s rich cultural heritage.