French delegation visits Birzeit University, explores new academic collaboration opportunities
A French delegation, including General Director of Campus France Béatrice Khaiat, Director of Campus France’s Marketing and Scholarship Department Olivier Chiche-Portiche, the Cultural Counselorthe French Consulate General in Jerusalem Guillaume Robert, Cultural Attaché Aude Thepenier, and Educational Cooperation Attachée Gaëlle Bessonnat, visited Birzeit University on December 1, 2021.
The delegation first met with Birzeit University President Dr. Beshara Doumani, along with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Talal Shahwan, Vice President for Advancement Dr. Ghassan Khatib, and Director of External Academic Relations Dr. Amir Khalil.
In the meeting, Dr. Doumani stressed the importance of building and maintaining partnerships with higher-education institutions all over the world and promoting faculty and student exchange programs. This, he said, will enable Palestinian universities and colleges to overcome all the restrictions imposed by the Israeli military occupation, which is determined to disempower the Palestinian civil society.
Dr. Khalil explained that the university is currently prioritizing programs that bring academic rigor and expertise in the new era of teaching and learning. “Foremost of our priorities is to support programs that support initiatives that help in climate change, water issues and energy sustainability. We are also keen to upskill our capacities in using digital tools that are currently transforming our learning and teaching environments.
Khaiat affirmed that Campus France is keen to expand its cooperation with Birzeit University, offering scholarship and fellowship opportunities to both faculty and students.
Dr. Amir discussed the possibility of opening an office for Campus France on Birzeit University’s campus, where the institution can promote the benefits of studying in France and introduce graduate education and exchange opportunities at French universities.
The delegation also met with Dean of the Faculty of Law and Public Administration Dr. Mahmoud Dodeen, Assistant to the Dean Dr. Ahmad Khaled, and instructor of French at the faculty Said Kalil, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dr. Munir Fakher Eldin, and the Acting Chair of the Department of French Language Dima Bamyeh. The university representatives discussed horizons of cooperation with French universities, with impactful and creative way that contribute to Birzeit University’s vision to be a catalyst for knowledge production, and student success and transformation.
