Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Professor G.L Peiris visited Birzeit University on February 25, 2013 and met with President Khalil Hindi, Vice President for Academic Affairs Adnan Yahya and Vice President for Advancement Ghassan Khatib. The attendants discussed ways of advancing educational cooperation.

 

President Hindi welcomed the guests, emphasizing the strength of Palestinian-Sri Lankan relations. He gave a briefing on the university and its role in community service, emphasizing BZU’s interest in developing relationships and cooperating with various universities worldwide.

 

The BZU staff briefed the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and his delegation on the university’s academic status, future plans and relations with worldwide universities, calling for future academic relations with Sri Lankan universities.

 

The guests were also briefed on the problems facing higher education in Palestine, most prominently the Israeli occupation and its regulations that prevent Palestinian universities from attracting distinguished academics and researchers from abroad. 

 

The guests were provided with information on the obstacles and financial crises facing Palestinian universities, and the difficulties fundraising to develop the educational sector in Palestine.

 

 

The guests were provided with information on the obstacles and financial crises facing Palestinian universities, and the difficulties fundraising to develop the educational sector in Palestine.

 

Minister Peiris spoke about current developments among Sri Lankan universities, stressing his country's desire to expand cooperation with Palestinian universities in several academic areas through student exchanges and scientific research.

 

During the visit, the minister met with a number of students and discussed the problems they encounter, screened a documentary film showing Birzeit University’s development and educational realities on the ground, and then was given a tour of the campus.