Birzeit University Testing Laboratories (BZUTL)

 

BZUTL is one of the Centers/institutes, established by Birzeit University (BZU) to serve the Palestinian community.

BZUTL is accredited by international and local agencies to conduct tests and research within its specialty; BZUTL units are accredited to do work within its scope.

BZUTL has qualified and experienced staff in areas such as pharmaceutical sciences, environmental toxicology, pesticides, food safety, water quality, environmental sciences, microbiology, applied chemistry and pharmacy.

Modern instruments are used by BZUTL staff, include:

1- Instruments to determine levels of organic and inorganic materials in environmental, biological and food samples.

2- Measurement of elements in various samples

3- Instruments to quantify levels of anions in samples contain lowest concentrations.

4- Ways to measure volatile materials.

5- Unit to conduct microbiological analysis of samples from different origins.

6- Equipments to do routine test of petroleum and lubricating oil samples.

7- Instruments for soil, concrete and asphalts analysis.

Local and international cooperation:

BZUTL established cooperations with local and international bodies, and with local industry. In addition, BZUTL has working relations with ministries and official departments, such as Ministries of Health, Agriculture,  National Economy, with Water Authority and Environmental Quality Authority, and with General Petroleum Authority and the Palestinian Standards Institute.

BZUTL is engaged in cooperation with international and local institutions in research project, in areas such as food safety, pharmaceutical quality control, water quality and protection of Palestinian environment, in programs such as "Safe Use of Pesticides" and olive oil quality, in campaigns on environmental awareness, and in a project on solid waste management.

BZUTL is also organized technical training, in cooperation with local industry and with colleges and schools, and participate in training of BZU students and prepare them for a better career after graduation.

 

BZUTL Units:

1-      Pharmaceuticals Quality Control and Research Unit:

This includes local and imported pharmaceuticals and veterinary drugs. The unit is engaged in routine quality control and in the process of drug registration. Unit staff are involved in analytical method development and validation, and in organizing specialized  workshops and training. The unit is in early stages of establishing "Bioequivalence" subunit, to help local pharmaceutical companies in introducing new drugs to the local markets, by carrying out comparable studies with brand drugs in human volunteers and analyzing plasma samples. Such type of work is unavailable here and being conducted in countries abroad at this time

2-      Food Safety and Research Unit:

Since many years, the unit is involved in doing routine testing and research of food samples such as meat and dairy products, grains, oils, juices, sugars and animal feed. Among its work, is organizing workshops and training in coordination with local industries. The unit has accreditation from local and international bodies.

3-      Water and Environmental Protection Unit:

Chemical, biological and physical analysis of water and environment samples is carried out in this unit. The unit works to protect ground water resources from contamination, and monitor plastics degradation products, pesticides residue and other industrial chemicals in water. The unit is also engaged in testing of cosmetics, detergents, and wastewater samples. In addition, the unit is involved in solid waste management project.

4-      Petroleum and Lubricating Oil Unit:

BZUTL has established a well equipped laboratory for routine testing of petroleum (gas, solar, benzene) samples, either collected from the main reception stations or samples collected randomly from gas stations across the country. Collection of samples is done through the Palestinian Petroleum General Authority. In addition, and in cooperation with the consumer protection section in ministry of national economy, the unit is monitoring quality of lubricating oils used in the Palestinian market.

5-      Concrete, soil, and Asphalt Unit:

The unit is carrying out physical, chemical and biological analysis of soil samples. This includes testing of soil layers using "Seismograph" and other physical analysis, in addition, the unit is engaged in a research project to examine effects of vegetable water "Zibar" in Arabic on soil activity as well as potential degradation of Zibar by soil action. This unit is also carry out testing  of concrete, iron and asphalt samples.

6-      Awareness, Training and Education Unit:

This unit organize workshops, specialized training sessions on topics such as "farmers training on safe use of pesticides, training of pharmaceutical industry technicians on drug analysis, training of ministry of agriculture technicians on olive oil analysis, and training of olive oil press managers on the best ways to maintain olive oil quality and training on food preservation and safety. The unit is also participate in lectures and awareness campaigns  for schools and institutions.

7-      Gaza laboratory Unit:

BZUTL has a laboratory in Gaza equipped to carry out testing and research in water and environmental areas, and  in organizing awareness sessions as well. A local consultant supervise activities of the laboratory due to the difficulties  of commuting to Gaze these days.