The Arab American University has launched a qualitative training in GIS with the participation of 45 trainees in the Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates, with the aim of enhancing the participants' ability to apply GIS in municipal work and sound planning, to improve the decision-making process based on spatial data analysis.

The training in Bethlehem Governorate was opened by the Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Anton Salman, with a speech in which he welcomed the attendees. He praised the role of the University in organizing this qualitative training, which contributes greatly to improving the performance of municipalities in the field of geographic data management. He also pointed out his municipality's keenness to provide full support for the success of this training, thanking the Local Government Directorate in Bethlehem for its coordination with the University to hold specialized training.

For her part, the Director General of Local Government in Bethlehem Governorate, Eng. Arwa Abu Al-Haija, stressed the importance of the training with the aim of improving the work style in municipalities and encouraging them to use GIS technologies in various fields, which contributes to improving administrative performance and making better-informed decisions.

In turn, the Director General of Training at the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Barakat Abbas, explained the Ministry's interest in developing the capabilities of municipal staffs in the field of geographic information systems, due to their role in enhancing and developing the work of municipalities.

In Hebron Governorate, the Mayor of Hebron, Taiseer Abu Sneineh, praised the role played by the Arab American University in networking with municipalities despite the challenges. He explained the extent of the municipality's interest in hosting such training, due to its deep awareness of the importance of applying geographic information systems in facilitating municipal work and improving the quality of services provided to citizens.

Director of the Continuing Education Center at the Arab American University, Dr. Faisal Sabbah, during his speech, stressed that these training courses constitute part of the University's commitment to enhancing the knowledge and technical skills of Palestinian staffs in advanced fields such as geographic information systems. He explained that these programs contribute directly to raising the efficiency of municipalities in dealing with data, analyzing it and benefiting from it to reflect the strength and honesty of the decisions taken by officials in local government institutions. He also extended thanks to the Ministry of Local Government and its directorates in Hebron and Bethlehem for their cooperation in making these trainings a success in both governorates.

It is noteworthy that the three-month training program is provided by two specialists in geographic information systems, namely engineers Mujahed Sabbah and Mohammed Al-Basem, who hold a bachelor's degree in geographic information systems from the Arab American University.