History
The history of the University dates back to 1924, when Nabiha Nasir (1891-1951), an educational visionary, started a school in Birzeit at a time when schools were almost nonexistent in the area. Her main objective was to provide elementary schooling for the girls of Birzeit and neighboring villages.
From School to Junior College
By 1930, the school developed into a secondary school for both boys and girls. Secondary schools were often called "colleges" during that period, and so the name Birzeit College was adopted in 1942. Under the leadership of Musa Nasir (1895-1971), the institution offered first-year post secondary classes in Arts and Sciences in 1953. In 1961 second-year classes were added, thus transforming the institution into a junior college while still maintaining its high school programs. Graduates of the junior college were able to transfer at advanced standing to many universities in the Arab world and abroad.
Because Birzeit College was then the only institution providing higher educational opportunities in the area, efforts were focused on making this service available to the largest possible number of qualified students. As a result, its elementary, preparatory, and secondary classes were gradually phased out. By 1967, Birzeit was offering first- and second-year college programs only.
From Junior College to Four-Year University
After the June 1967 war, the West Bank and Gaza fell under Israeli military occupation, and travel restrictions imposed by the occupation authorities often prevented students from pursuing educational opportunities abroad. College administrators saw the pressing need for a university that could meet the educational needs of Palestinian students locally. In 1972 plans were underway to develop a four-year program leading to bachelor's degrees in arts and sciences and to build a new campus on the outskirts of the town of Birzeit.
With the expected growth of the College, the founders decided to form an autonomous Board of Trustees to ensure the continuity of the institution. The Board was formed in 1973 and assumed full institutional responsibility although it took several years before the Israel military authorities approved its official registration. The first Chairman of the Board after its registration was Tawfik Abu Saud (1902-81).
The development of the College continued as planned. The third year level was added in 1974 and the fourth in 1975. With the addition of the fourth year, the name of the College was changed officially to "Birzeit University."
The University became a member of the Association of Arab Universities in April 1976 and on July 11 of that year, the University celebrated the graduation of its first graduates to earn Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. In 1977, the University became a member of the International Association of Universities.
In the academic year 1977-78, a master's degree program in Education was offered and in 1978-79, the Faculty of Commerce and Economics was established, followed in 1979-80 by the Faculty of Engineering.
With the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1993, the University administration decided to further expand its developmental programs as well as its undergraduate and graduate program offerings in response to the pressing need for well-trained graduates to shoulder the new responsibilities of an emerging Palestinian state. Several new centers and institutes were developed and in 1995-96, the University established its Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Running a Palestinian University under Israeli Military Occupation
The University is guided by the principle of academic freedom and upholds independence of thought, freedom of discussion, and unimpeded circulation of ideas. Ironically, these principles made the Birzeit University community a target of harassment under the Israeli military occupation.
Over the years, 24 students have been shot and killed in the wake of demonstrations that called for an end to occupation. Scores of students and faculty have often been detained for lengthy periods without trial and some have even been deported - a flagrant violation of the Fourth Article of the Geneva Conventions.
In 1973, Israel closed the campus by military order for two weeks. This was the first of many military ordered closures. Between 1979 and 1992, the University was closed 60% of the time. The 15th and last closure lasted for 51 months, from January 10, 1988 until April 29, 1992. During this prolonged closure, the University continued to operate underground with small study groups in makeshift arrangements outside the campus. Under such conditions, many students needed as long as 10 years to complete their four-year degree courses.
In 1980, the Israeli occupation authorities issued military order number 854, which granted them full military control over such matters as hiring of faculty, admission of students, and the curriculum. The order affected Birzeit as well as all other higher educational institutions in the occupied territories. It triggered so much local and international condemnation and outrage that it was rescinded shortly afterwards.
The University still faces great obstacles in carrying out its mission in spite of the Oslo peace agreements between the Palestinians and the Israelis; violations of human rights continue unabated, and students are often arrested and detained simply because they are members of the student council. Student from Gaza are often prevented from traveling to the West Bank to enroll at Birzeit. Moreover, the University has been facing prolonged financial crisis as a result of the stalled peace process and the poor economic situation.
Despite such hardships, the University continues to expand in new and creative ways in order to better meet the needs of the Palestinian society.
Key dates
1924: Nabiha Nasir (1891-1951) establishes an elementary school in Birzeit
1930: Birzeit School becomes a coeducational high school
1932: Birzeit School changes its name to Birzeit High School
1942: Birzeit High School changes its name to Birzeit College
1953: Birzeit offers first-year university-level courses in arts and science
1961: Birzeit College offers second-year university-level courses in arts and science; grants first associate degrees the following year. By 1967, the elementary, preparatory, and high school curricula have been eliminated.
1973: An autonomous Board of Trustees is formed to assume full responsibility for the Institution. In the first of many repressive measures, Israel closes the campus by military order for two weeks.
1975: Birzeit College changes its name to Birzeit University.
1976: Birzeit University is accepted in April as a member of the Association of Arab Universities. At its graduation ceremony in July, it awards its first BA and BS degrees
1977: Birzeit University is accepted as a member of the International Association of Universities. The first graduate program (in Education) is developed
1978: Faculty of Commerce and Economics is established.
1979: The Faculty of Engineering is established. The University is closed twice for more than 2 months
1980-82: The University is closed four times for more than 8 months.
1984-87: The University is closed seven times for a total of more than 11 months.
1988: The University is closed for the 15th time; the closure lasts for 51 months (until April 29, 1992). During this period, the University operates underground with small study groups in makeshift arrangements outside the campus. Many students require 10 years to complete their four-year degree courses.
1996: Faculty of Graduate Studies is established.
2004: Faculty of Law and Public Administration is established.
2006: Faculty of Information Technology is established.
2009: Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Professions is established.
