Birzeit University President Khalil Hindi signed a memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Planning and Administrative Development Mohammed Abu Ramadan at the ministry in Ramallah on January 28, 2013. The agreement is intended to enhance cooperation between the academic and public sectors in the field of planning. Dean of BZU Faculty of Engineering Afif Hasan, director of BZU master's program in urban planning and landscape architecture Manal Bishawi and project manager of spatial planning at the ministry Ahmed Saleh were also in attendance.

 

 

 

 

Hindi stated that Birzeit University’s primary goal is to serve the people and community. "We hope to expand this cooperation with all ministries to work together and develop other spheres," he said of the agreement.

 

Saleh noted that the cooperative agreement aims to develop students’ spatial planning skills and to “acquaint students with professional issues through communication with Palestinian planning institutions on all levels, ensure integration of the natural elements of the urban planning processes, and to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and progress in Palestine."