Birzeit University and Qattan Foundation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Birzeit University President Dr. Khalil Hindi and General Manager of the AM Qattan Foundation Ziad Khalaf signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 4 June 2013 for the establishment of a botanical garden at the university. The MoU aimed to develop and raise awareness of biodiversity in Palestine and preservation of environment, in addition to providing training opportunities for university and school students on botany with the involvement of the local community.
The garden is designed to serve the Palestinian community by collecting native and imported plants and save them from the threat of extinction.
Dr. Hindi said: "Birzeit University will allocate a plot of land on campus, in order to create a garden in a move to provide a suitable training environment for our students, and develop their capacities and knowledge in the botany field.”
Talking about the MoU, Khalaf said: "The foundation will provide local and international experts to conduct the necessary studies for the establishment of the garden. He added that the foundation will donate $ 15,000, within the Walid and Helen Qattan for the development of research and education project, for the purpose of launching phase I of the garden."
At an earlier stage, and in commemoration of Land Day, Birzeit University in partnership with the Qattan Foundation launched on March 30, 2013 a project to develop a botanical garden. This garden will be used to collect native and imported plants to protect them from extinction.
The project inauguration ceremony was attended by Palestinian Minister of Agriculture Walid Assaf, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Acting President Adnan Yahya, members of the University Council, the Executive Director of the Qattan Foundation Ziad Khalaf, members of the Botanical Garden Committee and BZU students.