Chilean ambassador visit opens new paths for university students

Mr. Francisco Bernales, the Chilean ambassador to Palestine, and Mr. Manuel Lara, deputy representative at the Representative Office of Chile in Palestine, met with Dr. Abdullatif Abuhijleh, president of Birzeit University, in the ambassador’s first visit to the campus, on April 19, 2018. 

Attending the meeting were Dr. Amir Khalil, external academic relations officer; Tina Rafidi, assistant director of the Public Relations Office; Nadine Sinokrot, acting director of the Advancement Office; and Laurence Theodory, senior development officer. 

The two groups explored possible channels of academic cooperation between Birzeit University and Chilean universities, faculty and student mobility – sending visiting Spanish professors to Birzeit University along with Chilean students who would enroll in the Palestine and Arabic Studies Program – and future cultural activities on Birzeit University’s campus that would introduce students to Chilean culture and traditions. 

The visiting representatives also discussed the President's Palestinian Diaspora Grant, a scholarship scheme that offers partial grants to Palestinian students living in the diaspora. The grants cover the fees of two additional courses plus any administrative fees for students seeking to enroll into the Palestine and Arabic Studies Program.