Dr. Hanan Ashrawi becomes first woman to lead Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees

Carrying forward Birzeit University’s tradition of leadership rotation, particularly in senior positions, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi was elected to head Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees as of August 15, 2023, succeeding Dr. Hanna Nasir, who assumed the chairmanship since 2006.

With her new position as the chairperson of Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Ashrawi makes history as the first woman to hold the highest senior administrative position at Birzeit University.

The Board of Trustees welcomes Dr. Ashrawi and recognizes the remarkable achievements of Dr. Nasir, one of the key founders who played a significant role in the development of Birzeit College in 1973, leading it to become the first Arab university in Palestine.

Dr. Ashrawi is highly respected locally and internationally. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2016 and became a member of the Board’s Executive Committee in 2022.  In recognition of her accomplishments and skills, the Board of Trustees elected Dr. Ashrawi to head the Board with a firm conviction that she will bring her rich experience in academia, politics, community engagement and civil society as well as public service to the university.

Dr. Ashrawi received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and her PhD in Medieval and Comparative Literature from the University of Virginia, US. She served as Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature and Dean of the Faculty of Arts until 1993.  During her time at the university, she founded the Birzeit University Legal Aid Committee responsible for defending and representing university students and staff detained in Israeli prisons.

 Dr. Ashrawi served as the Palestinian Minister of Higher Education and Research between 1996 and 1998. She was a member in the Palestine Central Council as well as the Palestine National Council and was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council as representative of Jerusalem and an independent member.  In 1996 and 2006. She was also elected as member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 2009 and served as head of its Department of Culture and Information until her recent resignation. 

Dr. Ashrawi has established many committees and organizations, and she continues to serve in their administrative boards to this day. This includes the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH), the National Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) and the Independent Commission for Human Rights. She also serves on the board and the advisory committee of several organizations, including the Institute of Palestine Studies and the Arab and International Relations Council.

Dr. Ashrawi is the recipient of honorary doctorates and numerous local and international awards for her contributions to the fields of gender equality, peacebuilding, international affairs, human rights, higher education and culture. She has published many literary and political works, including her book This Side of Peace: A Personal Account. Dr. Ashrawi received numerous awards from all over the world, including the distinguished French decoration d'Officier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur in 2006, the 2005 Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation, the 2003 Sydney Peace Prize, the 2002 Olof Palme Prize and the Susan B. Anthony Award for leadership.

Cognizant of Dr. Ashrawi’s influential role as a distinguished leader and trailblazer both in academia and community service, we are confident that she will bring her dedication, professionalism and leadership skills to this new position. The university community looks forward to working together with Dr. Ashrawi to carry on the distinguished and remarkable achievements of Birzeit University.  As the university embarks on a new phase, we remain firmly rooted in the great legacy of being the first higher education institution in Palestine. With the guidance of Dr. Ashrawi, we carry the torch forward, advancing this legacy into the future.