Birzeit University Mourns its Friend, Supporter Samih Darwazeh

Birzeit University mourned the passing away of a dear friend and supporter the Palestinian businessman Samih Darwazeh, who passed away on May 16, 2015 in London, where he was undergoing treatment of an incurable disease, since a long period of time.

Darwazah’s name has been always associated with an old relationship with Birzeit University in terms of providing material and moral support, whereas the late Samih joined the Birzeit University Board of Trustees for several years. Darwazeh has substantially contributed to the establishment of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Industries in Birzeit University. The university has honored Darwazah last year, by granting him an honorary doctorate certificate for excellence in community and economic development in the Arab world.

Darwazah was born in Nablus (1930) and graduated from the Arab college in Jerusalem. He is the founder of the Hikma Pharmaceutical Company in 1978, after he received a bachelor's degree from the American University of Beirut in 1954, and his master's degree in pharmacy from the Faculty of Pharmacy at St. Louis, Missouri.

Darwazah assumed the post of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jordan during 1995 and 1996, Chairman of the Arab Engineering Industries during the period between 1999 and 2004, and chairman of Capital Bank during the years 2009 and 2010.