Prof. Fakhr Abu Awad, Professor of professor of Computational Chemistry and its Applications at the faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, has successfully concluded an international mobility period for teaching and training within the Chemistry Department at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain, where he was hosted by the InSilichem group, specializing in molecular modeling of transition metal systems, led by the group’s head, Professor Jean Didier Maréchal. This initiative falls within the framework of the Erasmus+ international credit mobility projects, which has been instrumental in fostering academic collaboration.
During this engagement, Prof. Abu Awad delivered a lecture to a team of graduate students in the field of computational chemistry applications, particularly focusing on quantum chemistry and theoretical chemistry. The discourse centered on conceptual challenges encountered by students in these subjects, delving into both the mathematical content and physical interpretations inherent to the course content. Furthermore, a presentation introduced the Islamic University of Gaza, its distinctive philosophy, and its position among Palestinian universities. The discussion extended to encompass obstacles faced in scientific and research pursuits. An agreement was reached to sustain communication and establish recurring visits between the Islamic University of Gaza’s team and the InSilichem group.
Throughout the visit, Prof. Abu Awad was deeply engaged in daily training and integration with the InSilichem team, which is renowned worldwide for their expertise in theoretical (computational) chemistry and molecular modeling of biologically-relevant systems containing heavy metals. This collaboration yielded the acquisition of modern research knowledge and skills in this domain. Prof. Abu Awad was also acquainted with the group’s endeavors in developing comprehensive software packages for three-dimensional computational chemistry applications and molecular modeling.
Expressing his enthusiasm for such enriching opportunities, Prof. Abu Awad commended his participation and emphasized the value of leveraging research and practical experiences across diverse disciplines. In parallel, Ms. Walaa Safi, Coordinator of International Credit Mobility Projects at the Islamic University of Gaza, highlighted the pivotal role of engagement in such projects in enhancing performance, sharing expertise among participating teams, embracing new educational environments, and cultivating skills, experiences, and new partnerships. This practice fosters the exchange of best practices and fortifies collaboration among higher education institutions.
It’s noteworthy that the Islamic University of Gaza has participated in 65 international exchange projects across various partner universities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and other countries. These collaborations have offered approximately 320 international exchange opportunities for both students and faculty members of the university.