Academy4EU is driven by a strategic partnership of universities and organizations across Palestine, Spain, and Italy
University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) Palestine
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Project Coordinator
UCAS leads the overall project management and coordination. It ensures financial management, compliance with Erasmus+ requirements, quality assurance and effective communication among partners.
Team Members
Samah Mohaisen
Samah Mohaisen is a distinguished leader in international relations and developmental project management, currently serving as the Head of the International Relations Unit within the External Relations Office at (UCAS). With over two decades of professional experience, she has specialized in building global partnerships, and overseeing complex multi-stakeholder programs.
Samah has played a pivotal role in managing high-profile projects funded by the European Union (EU), including the "Social Inclusion of NEETs" under the ENI CBC Med program. She has also coordinated major Erasmus+ initiatives such as the "i-CARE" project for rehabilitation engineering and "BITPAL" for innovation in IT curricula. A core aspect of her international work involves the design and modernization of training programs and academic curricula. She has been instrumental in aligning local educational offerings with international standards. Her contributions extend to developing specialized training frameworks that bridge the gap between academic theory and labor market requirements
She has a proven track record of collaborating with leading international organizations. Her work spans diverse sectors, from strategic planning and institutional self-assessment to youth empowerment and legal incubators.
Samah holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and Master Degree from the Islamic University of Gaza. She is recognized for her exceptional research skills, enabling her to effectively bridge the gap between local needs and international developmental goals.
Asociación Empresas con Valores (ICV) – Spain
Type: Non-profit / Training & Innovation Organization
Role in the Project: Lead of Pilot Academy (WP3) and Simulation Scenarios (WP5)
ICV establishes the Pilot Academy for Project Management and develops interactive simulation scenarios and gamified tools for grant management training.
Team Members
Sheila Rubio
Sheila Rubio Martinez is a Social Projects Manager and Public Funding Specialist expertin turning social concepts into measurable impact. With a background in BusinessAdministration and Social Integration, she specializes in the management of EU and nationalgrants, including Erasmus+ and international cooperation projects.
At Incubadora CON VALORES, Sheila serves as the EU Project Manager, overseeing thestrategic administration of social funding. Her dual expertise in financial management andcoaching ensures the precise execution of public-funded initiatives while fostering inclusivegrowth and sustainable social change.
Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK) – Palestine
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Lead of Curriculum Development (WP2)
PTUK is responsible for developing and implementing the specialized training curriculum in European project management, including training needs analysis and modular curriculum design.
Team Members
Bilal Younis
Bilal Younis is an Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology and an educational leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education, teacher professional development, and technology-enhanced learning. He currently serves at Palestine Technical University Kadoorie–Arroub Branch and leads youth and capacity-building initiatives as Youth Programs Manager at the Yatta Association for Higher Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design & Technology from Southern Illinois University, with academic foundations in curriculum and instruction and physics. His work focuses on integrating digital innovation, AI literacy, simulations, serious games, and project-based STEM learning to create engaging, student-centered educational environments.
Dr. Younis has extensive experience managing national and international projects, including leading technology education programs, developing centers of competence, and conducting training-of-trainers’ initiatives for educators and institutions. He has collaborated with universities, ministries, and international organizations to design professional learning communities, digital literacy programs, and evaluation systems. His research spans AI literacy, digital citizenship, online learning, and teacher professional development, with publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Through his work, he aims to empower educators and learners to think critically, use technology creatively, and build resilient, future-ready education systems.
Jerusalemite Youth Cultural Forum (JYCF) – Palestine
Type: Civil Society Organization
Role in the Project: Lead of Social Innovation Lab (WP4)
JYCF coordinates the Social Innovation Lab for European Projects, fostering hackathons, prototyping of social projects and the creation of a community of innovators.
Team Members
Mohammad Awar
Mohammad Awar is the general director of the Jerusalemite Youth Cultural Forum since 2018, who has the necessary skills and qualifications as he worked as an acting director – The Danish House in Palestine, Director of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem, and Director of Fundraising & Public Relations – The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.
Mohammad graduated from the University of Bier Zeit with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Mohammad has gained a lot of experience and knowledge through the long journey within different NGOs. Mohammad believes in providing the youths and children of Jerusalem with all possible opportunities to reach a brighter future.
Universidad de Valladolid (UVa) – Spain
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Lead of Impact and Dissemination (WP7)
UVA develops and implements the dissemination plan, multiplier events and the long-term impact and sustainability strategy.
Team Members
María Laura Serra
Maria Laura Serra is a researcher at the University of Valladolid (UVa) in Spain. Her research interests include intersectionality, legal capacity, equality, and mental health. She currently serves as the PI of RECAJES, a grant-funded project supported by the Spanish Research Council, and recently finished an independent project focused on exploring the human rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities within the Spanish mental health system, funded by the EU Next Generation Fund/UVa.
Università Telematica Pegaso (UNIPEGASO) – Italy
Type: Higher Education Institution (Online University)
Role in the Project: Lead of Alumni Network & Digital Platform (WP6)
UNIPEGASO is responsible for developing the open-access digital learning platform, alumni network, mentoring system and digital repository.
Team Members
PhD Dilillo
Francesco Pio Dilillo is a PhD student at Pegaso University (Naples, Italy), enrolled in the National PhD Programme in “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (XXXIX cycle). He holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Foggia (Italy). His research focuses on Diversity Management and the role of schools as promoters of inclusion. He investigates how Diversity Management practices can enhance welcoming processes, inclusion, and interactions within multicultural classrooms.
His current work explores the relationship between educational policies, intercultural practices, and the use of digital technologies to foster equitable learning environments and strengthen social cohesion. In Academy4EU, he contributes to WP6 as operational and research support, focusing on mentoring design, community engagement and monitoring strategies for the Digital Learning Platform.