Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Birzeit University Sign Agreement

The President of Birzeit University, Dr. Abedellatif Abu Hijleh, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chairman of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Minister Walid Assaf, on October 12. The agreement provides opportunities for cooperation on research and studies.

The signing of the agreement was attended by Assistant to the President, Dr. Abdelaziz Shawabkeh; Chair of the Geography Department, Dr. Othman Sharkas; and a number of staff and faculty from the university, while Minister Assaf was accompanied by Deputy Minister of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Monjid Abdallah, and several staff members.

Dr. Abu Hijleh noted Birzeit University’s interest and engagement in the Palestinian community: “Chief among our interests is raising awareness of the Israeli occupation’s policies and their effects on our future through studies and research.”

He added, “The agreement ensures future cooperation to encourage the various departments in the university, as well as students in graduate programs, to focus their researches on topics such as the apartheid wall, illegal settlements, and illegal land grabs.”

Minister Assaf also commended the university’s national and patriotic role, which the memorandum will only serve to strengthen. He said, “This agreement will empower women and their social and economic standings, which underpins the Palestinian existence in the face of illegal Israeli landgrabs and harassment. We will do this through studies, research, workshops and training that Birzeit University hosts and organizes, in partnership with the commission.”