2020 new student orientation moves online

Unlike in previous years, Birzeit University’s freshmen orientation program has been moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on August 18, 2020, the university will welcome virtually around 2780 registered new students.

The university has been following closely the Palestinian government’s recommendations surrounding COVID-19. The safety and health of students, faculty, staff and guests remain the highest priority, which is why the decision was made to hold all new student orientation sessions online.

The virtual new-student orientation is a one-week experience required for all first-year students enrolled in the university’s bachelor’s programs in the academic year 2020/21. It features sessions about topics such as academics, co-curricular activities and support services. This experience includes the opportunity for new students to meet with their academic unit, get an overview of the university’s resources and technology, and interact with multiple university offices that will support their journey at Birzeit University.  

Addressing the students virtually, President Abdullatif Abuhijleh encouraged them to take advantage of the changes that are happening around the world in general and in higher education in particular due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. These changes, Abuhijleh explained, have forced universities to adopt new, modern teaching and learning methods that support the students’ skills and competencies for the twenty-first century.

The one-week orientation will welcome new students at the university’s nine faculties: Art, Music and Design; Engineering and Technology; Education; Business and Economics; Law and Public Administration; Science and the Arts.