Birzeit University confers degrees upon 175 students at summer commencement ceremony

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Birzeit University celebrated the graduation of the last batch of the 48th cohort, which comprised more than 175 students, at the summer commencement ceremony of the 2022/2023 academic year.

In his speech, Dr. Shahwan congratulated the students on their achievement and maintained, “It is my pleasure to share with you these moments of joy and congratulate your parents, as they reap the harvest of their efforts with you. It is my honor to stand before you today and address you as the new president of this established university, which, despite the challenges, has become the most prominent university in Palestine and one of the academic pillars of the Arab World.”

He added, “The past year was not ordinary, as challenges lurked on campus and outside of the university gates. We have succeeded in transforming these challenges into an opportunity to develop the university’s mission of academic excellence, national commitment and community engagement. Relying on a great legacy and the commitment of the university community to its mission, we were able to continue the journey together, so that each generation can pass on the legacy of Birzeit University, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary of spreading knowledge and graduating cohorts of influencers next year.”

Dr. Shahwan elaborated, “Birzeit University realizes that investing in knowledge production, along with respecting the values of liberty and pluralism and protecting the dignity and the rights of the employees and students, is the best way to preserve the spirit of Birzeit University. It is also the best way to build a generation that is more conscious of their rights and committed to national and humanitarian values as well as social and environmental justice. Despite the obstacles and colonial violence, Birzeit University will continue to represent a model for the Palestinian society that we aspire to.”

On behalf of the students, Yara Al-Barghouthi, student in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions, held the valedictorian speech. Al-Barghouthi asserted, “Birzeit University was the path that polished our character and nourished us with knowledge, culture and freedom. We awaited this moment as we walked along this path that was filled with knowledge and critical emancipatory education.”

Graduates received their certificates after they professed their commitment to the graduates’ oath read by President Dr. Shahwan.