Following a successful visit to the French capital, Paris, Dr. Nabeel Kassis, the President of Birzeit University, returned home on Monday, 4-11-2006.

During his visit to Paris, Dr. Kassis chaired a session in the UNESCO Colloquium on Higher Education, Scientific Research and Knowledge and participated in the annual meetings of the UNESCO Global Scientific Committee and the Palestinian European American Cooperation in Education (PEACE).

In an important step towards establishing the Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Dr. Kassis signed an agreement with the UNESCO to establish a UNESCO Chair in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the Faculty of Science at Birzeit University.

The Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics aims at promoting scientific research and exchange of experience among researchers at Palestinian higher education institutes, and with the global scientific community.

In another event that marks Birzeit University’s continuous efforts to advance excellence in education and research, the University community celebrated the ground breaking for the construction of the Najjad Zeenni Center of Excellence in Information Technology on Wednesday 6-11-2006. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Peter Gubser, President of ANERA, Mr. Thomas Neu, Regional Director of ANERA and members of the Birzeit University Council and Board of Trustees.

The construction of the Najjad Zeenni Center of Excellence in Information Technology will be carried out in cooperation with ANERA and through a generous contribution from Mr. Najjad Zeenni.

Similar centers of excellence in information technology have been established in Al-Quds University, the Arab American University in Jenin, Hebron University and the Islamic University in Gaza.