Scholarships and Scholarship Recipients

Urban planning is an important tool for promoting social justice and fair resource distribution. As professionals, planners can be tasked with mapping, developing public spaces, planning private and public transportation, determining residential density, and improving access to sources of education and employment, to name a few. Specifically in Jerusalem, there is demand for planners, but a shortage of experts from Arab-Palestinian backgrounds who can play a significant role in promoting plans. The Institute for Urban and Regional Studies seeks to invite stellar Arab-Palestinian students to join the program. As part of their full-tuition scholarship, students are expected to participate in the Urban Clinic’s activities, including staff meetings, conferences, field trips and projects, which amount to 10 hours per month. There are also opportunities for additional grants, while maintaining a high grade average. In addition, any student who wishes to participate in activities with the Arab Center for Alternative Planning, and Al-Bayader organization including activities outside of Jerusalem, will be able to do so.
 

  • Arab/Palestinian students interested in urban planning.

  • Undergraduates with a final average of B.A. equal or greater to 82

  • Preference will be given to students who meet the admission requirements without supplementary studies. 

  • The scholarship is contingent upon maintaining a minimum average score of 85 every semester in order to continue receiving the scholarship tuition

 

 

Here's the English translation of the provided text:


Master's Scholarship in Urban and Regional Planning for Palestinian Arab Students – 2025–2026

The Urban Clinic at the Hebrew University is pleased to announce the opening of registration for its Master's Scholarship Program in Urban and Regional Planning, designated for Palestinian Arab students from Jerusalem and Israel.

If you are eager to make an impact, advance planning justice, and bring about change in our communities and cities, this is your opportunity.

The scholarship includes:

  • Tuition funding and academic and professional guidance throughout your studies.
  • Application Deadline: June 10, 2025
  • Admission Interviews: Will take place on June 18 and 22. Suitable candidates will be personally invited to schedule an interview.

Required Documents:

  • CV
  • Bachelor's degree certificate
  • Academic transcript
  • Letter of motivation (in Hebrew or English)

For submissions and more information:

Tharaa.kirresh@mail.huji.ac.il

 

Programs:

 

תכנון עירוני ואזורי - האוניברסיטה העברית

תואר שני בתכנון ערים ואזורים- טכניון

התמחות בלימודי תכנון ועיצוב עירוני-אזורי- אוניברסיטת תל אביב

תואר שני במחלקה למדעי הסביבה, גאואינפורמטיקה ותכנון ערים - אוניברסיטת בן גוריון

 

 

   

 Scholarship Call for Palestinian/Arab students of Urban Planning master's degree  - 2025-2026

scholarship

 

 

scholarship

 
 

Selection Committee 

The Urban Clinic’s Scholars - Past and Present

Halima Sheikh Ali

Halima Sheikh Ali
Halima
Sheikh Ali

Halima is an Urban Planner who recived her BA from An Najah Nationa University at 2021. She started her career in public sector, currently she is responsible about public transportation at Ara Arara Local Council, she deals with developing the public transportation in the villages due to connectiong the people with the local council and the ministry of transportation. Halima is studying M.A in Urban and regional Planning at the Hebrew University, she belives that the planning is the core of the development in our society, the lack of Arab professionals in the field created a gap in the planning, the key tool to find the solution is to learn how to plan our communities with people who live every day in this community.

 

 


 

 

 

Rahman Saada

Rahman Saada
Rahman
Saada

 

Rahman holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Transportation Engineering and a Building Engineering Technician certificate in Construction Management.

He works as a Traffic Planner at a prominent private sector firm, where he designs traffic solutions for urban renewal projects.

In this role, Rahman has honed skills in teamwork, project management, problem-solving, and communication under pressure. He is also proficient with relevant technological tools and
systems.

Rahman is a karate instructor and certified judge in the martial arts community.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Fadi Awidah

Fadi Awidah
Fadi
Awidah

 

Fadi Aweidah, from East Jerusalem, holds a degree in Special Education and serves as the deputy Director at the Beit Hanina Community Council. The Association for Community Centers nominated Fadi for their intensive leadership-training course.

Fadi’s work involves educational initiatives, needs assessments and community campaigns.

 

 


 

 

 

Ahmad Masri

Ahmad Masri
Ahmad
Masri

 

Ahmad Al-Masri, born in Jerusalem, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from An-Najah University and
became a licensed attorney in January 2023. He currently works ata civil law firm on topics including, enforcement, insolvency, planning and construction, and social security benefits. He is actively involved in addressing home demolition issues in Jabal Mukaber and has experience lecturing on legal ethics.

Ahmad participated in an intensive Jerusalem leadership program at the Van Leer Institute. He brings knowledge about Jordanian and Ottoman land law, sorely lacking in the Israeli legal curriculum.

 


 

 

 

Hind Khatib

Hind Khatib
Hind
Khatib

Hind has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in political science from Haifa University. She is a graduate of the Cadets Leadership Program for local government ,specializing in the field of local government. Hind worked as an assistant to the mayor of Sakhnin. Today, she works in the Shefa-Amr municipality as a strategic developer and project manager. Hind is active in various social and political struggles.

 


 

 

 

Dina Abu Khalaf

Dina Abu Khalaf
Dina
Abu Khalaf

Dina completed her bachelor's in Middle Eastern Studies and History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She has recently joined the urban clinic and begun pursuing her MA in urban planning. Her main areas of interest are environmental planning, urban development in Jerusalem, and exploring the relationship between the city's reality and its image in its inhabitant's eyes.

 


 

 

 

Fatina Husseini

Fatina Husseini
Fatina
Husseini

 

Fatina has a B.A. degree in Sociology, Anthropology, and Education. Today, Fatina works at the Urban Clinic as a Program Associate Intern. Previously, she worked in the field of education and in improving the conditions and the services provided in nurseries for children from birth to the age of three, through raising awareness about cognitive and spatial issues. Fatina is interested in social issues specific to Palestinian society and mainly related to Palestinian women.

 

 


 

 

 

Nour Dassouky

Nour Dassouky
Nour
Dassouky

Nour comes from the world of social entrepreneurship where she founded and managed two projects in the field of education. The first was a storytelling venture to revive the culture The venture equips people from the community to tell unique stories from the culture to the community. And the second among at-risk teens using street stunts. Nour, born in Jaffa, holds a bachelor's degree in government and society and a master's degree in family studies and is a graduate of the Incubator Program for Social Business Entrepreneurship at the Tel Aviv Academy.

 


 

 

 

Mina Hashemeh

Mina Hashemeh
Mina
Hashemeh

 

Mina Hashima holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media and a Master's degree in Business Administration and Strategic Planning.

She has tremendous energies and passion for social change. She has worked as a project coordinator and manager in East Jerusalem, collaborating with various organizations, and led an employment in Jerusalem teaching Hebrew to women.

Mina was conditionally accepted to the MA in 2023, and has spent the last year improving her Hebrew, volunteering with the Urban Clinic, and succesfully passing her prequisite courses

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Scholarship program for Arab students in environmental studies

Ayub Jabarin

Ayub Jabarin
Ayub
Jabarin

Ayub Jabarin, the Head of the Environmental Improvement Department at Umm al-Fahm Municipality, is an environmental expert with 14 years of extensive experience in public service. Over the years, Ayub has led numerous strategic projects to promote environmental quality in the city, including afforestation and shading, climate change adaptation, and comprehensive research on local nature. As someone deeply familiar with the community's environmental challenges, Ayub is determined to implement innovative and sustainable solutions. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Sharia from Yarmouk University, Ayub brings a unique perspective that blends religious knowledge with environmental awareness.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Sima Hamouri

Sima Hamouri
Sima
Hamouri

Sima Hamouri, an architect and urban planner who graduated from An-Najah National University in Nablus, possesses an innovative vision to transform our cities into smart and sustainable ones. With a rich background in urban planning and practical experience in smart building, Sima brings creative ideas and advanced technological solutions.

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Scholars at Ben Gurion University

Ro'ia Sane'

Ro'ia  Sane'
Ro'ia
Sane'

 

Ro’ya is a program manager currently overseeing a network of libraries in maternal and child health clinics under the Al-Baqur Association in Be'er Sheva. She leads a team of instructors and coordinators, develops program content, and builds partnerships with local stakeholders.

Previously, she managed health programs at Layla Company, delivering workshops and lectures for various audiences. Ro’ya’s background includes experience as a registered nurse, research assistant at Ben-Gurion University, and a health promoter in schools.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and a Master's in Public Health from Ben-Gurion University, with additional certifications in health promotion and nutrition. Ro’ya excels in strategic planning and project management, with a focus on health and early childhood education.

 

 

 

 

Yaseen Azbarga

Yaseen  Azbarga
Yaseen
Azbarga

Yaseen is the Engineering Department Head at the Kseifa Local Council, a role he advanced to after serving as Deputy Engineering Department Head and Project Manager since 2021. With over 15 years of experience in civil engineering, Yaseen managed various projects in the private sector before transitioning to public service out of a deep commitment to his community.

In his current position, Yaseen oversees all engineering projects for the council and plays a key role in shaping strategic decisions. His dedication to improving local infrastructure and services reflects his broader commitment to community development. Yaseen is also an active member of the Ma'oz Network and Bloomberg-Segal Senior Leadership Network.

 

 

 

 

Lobna Sane'

Lobna  Sane'
Lobna
Sane'

Lobna, is a Bezalel BArch graduate. She achieved top honors in the national Azrielli competition for young architects with her Negev Bedouin towns design guide. Hailing from the Negev, she focused on single homes, compounds, and neighborhoods in her award-winning project, expressing a desire to scale up to towns and regions. Committed to expanding her skills, she aims to delve into writing and research. Currently, Lobna is a key contributor to a leading Tel Aviv architecture firm, concurrently collaborating with the planning rights NGO BIMKOM. Lobna plans to share her architectural insights by teaching in the Negev. 


 

 

 

Qusai Al-Amour

Qusai  Al-Amour
Qusai
Al-Amour

 

Qusai, from Cseifa,  is an educational project coordinator at Rahat Municipality's Education Department. He holds a BA in geography and civic education from Oranim, where he participated in the Cadets for Informal Education program. 

He has been deeply influenced by his ‘gap year’ program (Cochavei Midbar) in Haifa and by a BA level course in urban planning through which he was selected for a study delegation to Amsterdam. Qusai sees himself working in the field of urban planning in the Negev.

 


 

 

 

Safaa Hawashleh

Safaa Hawashleh
Safaa
Hawashleh

 

Safaa Hawashleh, an advocate for transformative education, currently serves as the Executive Director. With an MBA and a Bachelor's from Ben Gurion University, she has pioneered programs driving positive change in the Bedouin Arab community. As a key figure at the Tamar Center, Safaa led a flagship program in science education, impacting 400 students over eight years.

Beyond graduation, she supported 300 alumni, introducing regional majors in physics and computer science. As Executive Director (2021-2023), Safaa played a pivotal role in establishing an innovative high school for Bedouin Arabs, showcasing her dedication to accessible and quality education. Currently, Safaa is pursuing an MA degree in Urban Planning at Ben Gurion University as part of the Urban clinic Scholarship program.

 


 

 

 

Riham Abo Adeiya

Riham  Abo Adeiya
Riham
Abo Adeiya

 

Riham holds a BA in Geography from BGU, and graduate studies in Urban Design from Bezalel. Riham’s final project at Betzalel investigated Bedouin women’s range of movement in the Negev, from spaces that are ‘forbidden’ to those that are ‘permitted’. 

She is currently working as an environmental consultant  and  has worked in the past with the Authority for Bedouin Settlement, the Ministry of Housing and the Planning Administration, and as a research assistant at both BGU and Bezalel.