The Smart and Water Use Application (SWUAP) Living Lab team from the Palestine Polytechnic University actively participated in a significant workshop hosted by the AgroTech Erasmus Plus project, aligned with the MED-QUAD project. The event, which took place at the Palestine Polytechnic University's Wadi-Alhariah Campus in Hebron, aimed to further the objectives of the Erasmus project and promote collaborative efforts for mutual benefits. During the workshop, the SWUAP Lab team showcased their commitment to the MED-QUAD project and its overarching goals. 

The workshop, an essential element of MED-QUAD project’s activity “Commitment of institutional and national authorities," was organized on August 20th, 2023. The event saw the participation from key stakeholders, including Palestine Polytechnic University, the Ministry of Agriculture, farms owners in the Hebron District, and agriculture business owners. 

The workshop organizers introduced attendees to the AgroTech Erasmus Plus project's scope and objectives. The main goal of the project is to establish a network of 5 agro-technological centres in 5 Universities in Jordan and Palestine and develop practical and innovative Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. The curricula will be developed and the students will be acquainted with the new developments requiring new skills, not addressed in traditional curricula. The AgroTech centres will promote cooperation between companies and VET institutions as well as create links between all stakeholders of the agri-food value chain. These centres will also assist in promoting smart tools for enriching data through Internet of Things (IoT)  sensor networks for soil-crop monitoring, processing, marketing and quality control. The attendees had the chance to highlight the potential synergies and collaborative opportunities between the AgroTech Erasmus Plus project and MED-QUAD in the innovation sector, specifically for improving the quality of water. 

MED-QUAD´s presentations at the workshop primarily focused on the Civic University, concept within the global social context and its role in facilitating scientific knowledge transfer. The enhancement of the university's capabilities to contribute significantly to local and international development was discussed through the lens of the Quadruple Helix Approach, which involves universities, businesses, local governments, and society. 

Furthermore, the SWUAP Lab team provided insights into their water quality assessment techniques and shared the preliminary results achieved thus far. Recommendations regarding water quality standards for agricultural purposes were also presented, offering valuable information for enhancing farming practices. 

The participation of the SWUAP Lab team in the AgroTech workshop marked a significant step toward collaboration and knowledge sharing among projects, fostering a holistic approach to sustainable development. This event exemplifies the commitment of the Palestine Polytechnic University and its partners to contribute to the advancement of both local and global communities.