Jerusalem - Ma'an - Al-Quds University announced that the first batch of graduates from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences in the College of Health Professions has qualified to take the American Board Exam in Medical Laboratories by the American Society of Clinical Pathology. This comes after the program obtained academic accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) in the United States of America. Thus, Al-Quds University becomes the second university in the Middle East to obtain accreditation. This was held under the patronage of the University President, Prof. Imad Abu Kishk, and in the presence of him, the Vice President for Medical and Health Affairs, Prof. Rania Abu Seir, the Director of Supporting Medical Professions at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Osama Al-Najjar, the Director of the International Accreditation Program, Prof. Marwan Abu Madi, representatives of the UNDP, directors of hospitals and laboratories, and representatives of various medical centers. On this occasion, Prof. Abu Kishk expressed his happiness with this distinguished achievement of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, which represents an international certificate of the quality of medical laboratory sciences programs, and the fruit of the college's strenuous efforts. He stressed that this achievement represents a qualitative leap for Al-Quds University, as it contributes to strengthening its position locally and internationally, confirming that the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at Al-Quds University is comparable to similar programs in America. Thus, Al-Quds University becomes the second university in the Middle East to obtain academic accreditation from the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences in the United States, and Palestine is the third country in the world outside the United States of America to host a program that has obtained this prestigious accreditation. Prof. Abu Kishk praised the graduates of the Medical Complex for achiev ing first place annually in the professional practice exams with a 100% success rate compared to graduates of international universities, attributing the reason for this to the competence of the faculty members and the advanced structure of the study program, which opens the way for them to obtain better and more competitive job opportunities. Prof. Abu Sir said, 'In light of the scientific and cognitive changes, and the increasing competition between universities, it was necessary for us to adopt an approach that ensures the quality of our educational outcomes, in line with our university's mission and strategic plan towards achieving distinguished, high-quality education, to raise the academic and professional level of graduate students. This is why we have reaped the fruits of two years of hard work today for the benefit of our students and our community.' She added that the impact of this accreditation is not limited to students and their professional competencies only, but extends to reflect on the hea lth sector, as 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory tests, and it provides students with bridges towards the world to compete for the best job opportunities in the world, and to complete their postgraduate studies in many prestigious universities worldwide. This accreditation also gave them the opportunity to complete their medical studies, considering that this certificate is Pre-Medical Education. In turn, Dr. Al-Najjar praised Al-Quds University, its contributions, and the success of its research and scientific journey on the local and international levels, noting that the accreditation it has obtained adds distinction and success to it. He congratulated the university and the students on this achievement, wishing them further progress. Student Rawan Maali spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates, saying: 'We congratulate ourselves and our university on this achievement that was accomplished after two years of hard work. Today, we are proud of this coronation as it is an important milestone in our academic and professional journey. She stressed that it is a reflection of the university's distinction as it enhances its position on all levels, and is an inevitable result of the distinguished education they received.' Source: Maan News Agency