Birzeit University

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Birzeit University
جامعة بيرزيت
Birzeit University seal.svg
MottoBuilding a Better Palestinian Future
TypePublic
Established1924
PresidentBeshara Doumani[1]
Academic staff
617
Undergraduates13523 [2]
Postgraduates1466 [2]
Location
Birzeit
,
West Bank, Palestine
CampusUrban
800 dunums (200 acres)
AffiliationsUNIMED, AARU
Websitewww.birzeit.edu
Birzeit University logo.svg

Birzeit University (BZU; Arabic: جامعة بيرزيت‎) is a public university in the West Bank, registered by the Ministry of Social Affairs as charitable organization. It is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and located in Birzeit, West Bank, near Ramallah.[3][4] Established in 1924 as an Elementary School for girls, Birzeit became a University in 1975.[5]

Birzeit University offers graduate and undergraduate programs in information technology, engineering, sciences, social policy, arts, law, nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, economics, and management. It has 9 faculties, including a graduate faculty. These offer 76 B.A. programs for undergraduate students and 34 M.A. programs for graduate students.[2] As of 2020, more that 15,000 students are enrolled in the university's bachelor's, master's and PhD programs.[2]

History[]

Birzeit University campus, 2007

Birzeit School for Girls was founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir (1891-1951) as an elementary school for girls from Birzeit and the surrounding villages. It was one of the first schools in the region. In 1930, it broadened its scope to become a co-educational secondary school, and in 1932, it was renamed Birzeit Higher School. In 1942, the name was changed to Birzeit College. In 1953, a freshman higher education class was incorporated, followed by a sophomore class in 1961.[5]

In 1972, Birzeit College initiated its bachelor's degree programs in Arts and Sciences. The total number of academic programs had reached seven and 200 students were enrolled from all the Palestinian territories. A voluntary work program was started as a requirement for all students of bachelor's programs. A new university campus, on the outskirts of Birzeit, was planned, and the institution was placed under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, whose members were a number of citizens interested in Palestinian educational affairs. Tawfiq Abu Saud (1902-1981) became the first president of the Board of Trustees after its registration. In 1975, Birzeit College officially changed its name to Birzeit University.[5]

In 1976, Birzeit University celebrated the graduation of the first class of undergraduate students, and at the end of April of the same year, the university joined the Association of Arab Universities in a meeting held by the union in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. During this period, Birzeit launched a pilot literacy and adult education program, acquainting the Palestinian community with its educational role, and in April 1977, the university joined the International Union of Universities, becoming the first Palestinian higher education institution to do so. In 1978, Birzeit University witnessed the founding of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics and the Institute of Community and Public Health. The Faculty of Engineering was established in 1979.[5]

During the 1980s, the university worked on developing its academic programs and infrastructure, and initiated many academic programs, including the master's program in education (the first graduate program in Palestine), and Birzeit Testing Laboratories, and the early 1990s saw the launch of the Palestine and Arabic Studies Program and the establishment of the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, the Institute of Women's Studies, and the Institute of Law. In November of 1997, Birzeit University initiated its graduate program in Water Engineering to prepare young leaders to deal with water issues, and to apply technological means to ensure optimum use of water resources, and December of 2000 saw the establishment of the Institute of Environmental and Water Studies and the Institute of Graduate Studies.[5]

The Faculty of Information Technology was established in 2006 (later merged with the Faculty of Engineering to create the Faculty of Engineering and Technology), and in 2007, the Faculty of Arts was established. The Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (later renamed Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions) was established in 2008.[5]

In 2015, Birzeit University launched the Ph.D. program in social sciences, its first doctorate program.[6] In 2016, the university was ranked first nationally in the January edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.[7] 2018 saw the establishment of Birzeit University's newest college, the Faculty of Art, Music and Design.[8] The university was ranked top nationally and among the top 3 percent of universities worldwide in the 2018 edition of the QS World University Rankings,[9] and it retained its position in the 2019 edition.[10]

Dr. Beshara Doumani assumed office as President of the University in August of 2021.[11]

The university was closed from 1988 until 1992 by the Israeli army.[12] The university was the last of 6 in Israeli occupied territories to reopen.[13]

Board of Trustees[]

Birzeit University is governed by an autonomous Board of Trustees composed of educators and professionals from the Palestinian community. The board appoints the president of the university. It also confirms the appointment of vice-presidents and deans upon the recommendation of the president. The board approves the budget and general development plans presented to it by the university council.[citation needed]

Administration[]

The university follows a semester system, with two four-month semesters beginning in Autumn and Spring, and two shorter two-month semesters in summer. Support comes from numerous Palestinian, Arab, and international foundations, as well as from various individuals.[14]

Faculties[]

The university, through its nine faculties (Arts; Science; Business and Economics; Law and Public Administration; Engineering and Technology; Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions; Education; and Graduate Studies, Art Music and Design), provides academic programs(76 programs) that end in bachelor's degrees, such as the major/minor programs.

These faculties, in addition to the Graduate Studies faculty, offer 32 postgraduate programs that lead to master's degrees. The university also offers one Ph.D. program in social sciences.

Birzeit University campus

Notable people[]

Currently,[when?] there are a number of professors who are also appointed as ministers in the current Palestinian government. Thirteen members of the Palestinian negotiating team in U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace talks were faculty members of Birzeit University. Hanan Ashrawi taught literature there.[13]

The South African-born sociologist Stanley Cohen worked at Birzeit in support of Palestinian staff and students while a Professor in Criminology at the Hebrew University between 1980 and 1996.[15]

Saeed Abu Ali worked as associate professor.[citation needed]

See also[]

  • List of Palestinian universities
  • Palestinian Galleries and Museums

References[]

  1. ^ "Appointment of Professor Beshara Doumani As President of Birzeit University Starting The Coming Academic Year." Birzeit University.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Facts and Figures." Birzeit University.
  3. ^ "External Academic Relations" (PDF). Birzeit University.
  4. ^ J−amiʻat B−ir Zayt (1977). Development and expansion plan, 1977-1986. The Office. p. introduction.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Chronology". Birzeit.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. ^ "New Semester Kicks off New Social Science PhD and Israeli Studies MA". Birzeit University. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  7. ^ "Palestinian Territories". Ranking of World Universities. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  8. ^ "New Faculty of Art and Music at BZU addresses rising needs from the growing creative industries locally and globally". Birzeit University. 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  9. ^ "2019 QS World University Rankings". TopUniversities.
  10. ^ "2019 QS World University Rankings". TopUniversities.
  11. ^ "Introductory Message — President's Office". Birzeit University. 2021-08-02.
  12. ^ "University Closure History". Birzeit University.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Williams, Daniel (1992-04-21). Major Palestinian University to Reopen: Israel: The Birzeit campus on the West Bank will be the last of six closed four years ago to resume operations. LA Times, 21 April 1992. Retrieved from .
  14. ^ "About : Quick Facts". Birzeit.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  15. ^ Pioneers of Qualitative Research Stan Cohen UK Data Service, funded by the ESRC, Economic and Social Data Service, undated, retrieved 30 September 2015.

External links[]

Coordinates: 31°57′31.29″N 35°10′50.54″E / 31.9586917°N 35.1807056°E / 31.9586917; 35.1807056

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