Al-Qasemi Academy – Academic College of Education – is a leading academic institution for the training of teachers, educators, and pedagogical-social leaders. Sincer its establishment, the Academy has worked to expand access to higher education, prepare outstanding educators and professionals, advance applied research, and strengthen relationship between academia, the education system, and the wider community.
Al-Qasemi Academy operates on the principle that education serves as a catalyst for social, cultural, and academic renewal within Arab society in Israel and the shared public sphere. It seeks to be a bridge between identity, language, and academia; between tradition and innovation; and between academic excellence and social responsibility.
Academic and Educational Vision
The vision of Al-Qasemi Academy is to lead the high-quality training of educators and educational-community leaders who possess broad academic knowledge, a strong professional identity, humanistic values, and the ability to respond effectively to a rapidly changing world.
The Academy strives to solidify its position as a high-quality, influential academic institution that connects academic excellence, pedagogical innovation, multilingualism, cultural identity, and multicultural dialogue. Guided by this vision, the Academy regards education as a catalyst for social, cultural, and academic transformation in Arab society in Israel and for building responsible, meaningful partnerships within the broader educational and social sphere.
Institutional Mission
The mission of Al-Qasemi Academy is to provide academic and pedagogical training at the highest standards, foster critical thinking and professional identity, and prepare graduates capable of leading meaningful educational and social change in diverse educational and social environments.
The Academy works to develop theoretical and applied research that addresses contemporary challenges; to strengthen the Arabic language and cultural identity alongside promoting high levels of proficiency in Hebrew and English; and to build strategic partnerships with educational institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in Israel and worldwide.
Academic Infrastructure and Study Programs
Al-Qasemi Academy offers a variety of study tracks: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Teacher Certification for Degree Holders, Teaching Certificate tracks, Continuing Education, an Extramural Studies unit, and a Pre-Academic Preparatory Program. The programs span the fields of education, languages, sciences, mathematics, computer science, special education, informal education, early childhood education, and Islamic studies.
The study programs are designed to train educators who demonstrate cultural sensitivity, multilingual competence, and advanced digital literacy; who are capable of leading processes of inclusion, innovation, and social change stemming from a profound understanding of the needs of Arab society in Israel and shifting educational landscapes.
(For full details on the programs and admission requirements, please refer to the "Programs" page).
Excellence, Research, and Innovation
The Academy is committed to promoting excellence and professional development for both faculty and students. The Academy houses dedicated centers that support the development of educational technologies, applied research, and the evaluation of teaching quality. In alignment with its strategic vision, the academy promotes innovative pedagogy, including digital learning, the responsible and thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence (AI), alternative assessment, and active learning, as vital tools for advancing relevant, equitable, and knowledge-based teaching.
Multilingualism, Identity, and Belonging
We view multilingualism, identity, and a sense of belonging as foundational elements in educator training. The Academy strives to strengthen the Arabic language and cultural identity, alongside developing proficiency in Hebrew and English as essential tools for communication, academic achievement, leadership, and meaningful participation in society and the workforce. Our graduates are trained to operate in multicultural environments, conduct respectful dialogue, and guide communities through growth processes.
Community Involvement and Partnerships
The connection with the community is an integral part of the Academy’s identity. Alongside academic training, the Academy advances social initiatives and partnerships with schools, local authorities, and civil society organizations. The Academy aspires to be an active partner in shaping a responsible, contemporary, and forward-looking educational discourse, contributing to the prosperity of Arab society in Israel and the strengthening of the shared educational sphere.
Institutional Core Principles
- Academic and pedagogical excellence.
- Preparing educators and educational-community leaders.
- Integrating research, clinical practice, and innovation.
- Promoting innovative pedagogy, learning technologies, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
- Fostering multilingualism, identity, belonging, and intercultural dialogue.
- Strengthening social responsibility, community involvement, and community partnerships.
- Advancing applied research in the fields of education, society, and language.
- Continuous development of teaching quality and the academic environment.
- Embedding sustainability, a responsible organizational culture, and data-driven management.
- Creating lasting educational and social impact.
Al-Qasemi Academy aspires to continue shaping a generation of educators equipped with knowledge, identity, responsibility, and the capacity to influence a generation that views education as a force for shaping the future, cultivating hope, and advancing meaningful change.
History
Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education is regarded as a prominent and leading institution of teacher education. Al-Qasemi was primarily established in 1989 as an institution for Islamic studies. In 2002, the college was accredited by the Council of Higher Education in Israel to award a B.Ed. degree in different fields. In 2010, the college was granted the right to award the M.Ed. degree, followed by M. Teach degree in 2017 .
Al-Qasemi has a culture of research and technology which is committed to the dissemination of scientific and educational knowledge, and the sustainability of academic excellence and innovation to better serve its students, faculty members, as well as the global community.
Al-Qasemi has succeeded in paving its way and locating itself among the national leading institutions of higher education due to the high quality of academic education, and the devotion to the development of human potential.
The college programs include theories of teaching, research, and practice with special emphasis on leadership and innovation in the classroom. Furthermore, it believes in preparing and training highly qualified teachers who will be able to make a difference and contribute to the welfare of their communities.
The preparatory program is considered a golden opportunity for students who have not been fortunate enough to obtain the full Bagrut certificate or those who did not achieve the required Bagrut average for admission to the academy. The GPA obtained at the end of the preparatory program serves as a substitute for their previous Bagrut average. Generally, a high percentage of preparatory program students achieve GPAs that qualify them for admission to various academic subjects. Therefore, this program is the first step towards achieving the academic dream for this group of students.
Covenant
We, members of the academic and administrative staff, initiate, develop, and undertake the principles guiding this covenant. These are based on the legacy of Arab Islamic culture as an active partner in the cultural heritage of humanity. We are proud of the College’s achievements which reflect an organizational culture and a world view, substantiated on the dignity of humans; their respect and welfare; freedom of choice and expression; the production and dissemination of knowledge; quality and excellence. Al-Qasemi Academy, being a pioneer academic institution, leads processes of growth in the Arab society in Israel, while aspiring to be an academic institution of unique contribution to international spheres.We hereby pledge to act for the promotion and implementation of the following:
- Developing and spreading the College’s unique approach to Islamic studies, anchored in thorough, critical and comparative studies by Moslem and non Moslem scholars, an approach that promotes humanistic dialogue among religions and cultures.
- Developing human resources, while emphasizing human rights and women’s empowerment as foremost priorities.
- Continuous promotion of personal and organizational excellence, in accordance with quality standards.
- Constant aspiring to the achievement, creation and spreading of knowledge by promoting authentic research and developing innovative approaches in education, society and organization.
- Developing a rich stimulating, and challenging, educational environment, one that encourages personal and professional development in an open humanistic ambience.
- Coping courageously with controversial issues and giving voice to cultural diversity and differences among approaches.
- Creating partnerships and cooperation with academic institutions and entities in local, national, Arab, Islamic and international spheres.
- Nurturing civil dialogue among different communities in the Israeli society, as basis for shared life, founded on equality and respect for the cultural identities of others.