Birzeit University confers honor upon Dr. Beshara Doumani in recognition of his efforts as university president
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, Birzeit University conferred honor upon Dr. Beshara Doumani, president of Birzeit University, on the occasion of the end of his tenure as university president. The event was attended by members of Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees, faculty members and employees.
In his opening speech, Dr. Hanna Nasir, chairperson of Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees, thanked Dr. Doumani for dedicating his efforts to the service of Birzeit University, commending the manner in which Dr. Doumani handled the challenging academic and administrative issues he encountered while heading the university.
He maintained, “I want to seize this opportunity to bid farewell to Dr. Doumani, who left a remarkable impact on the educational and administrative tracks at the university. Yes, there were challenging days, but he proved to be resilient and was able to succeed with the help of his team.”
Dr. Doumani applauded the national, academic and community role Birzeit University plays in the Palestinian community. He added, “In a matter of days, I will be done with my two-year service at Birzeit University as its president. I have so much to say about this rich experience, which, despite being short, brought me back to Palestine that I love and Birzeit University in which I initiated my academic career. Although the university faced tremendous obstacles due to the exceptional circumstances we experience in Palestine, we continue to move forward in establishing a prosperous future for the university, which will be carried on by my friend and colleague, Dr. Talal Shahwan, who will bear the torch after me.”
He added, “Birzeit University is more than a university; it is a homeland that we leave but does not leave us. On my end, I will always be at the service of this established university, wherever I am, whenever I am needed.”
Dr. Talal Shahwan, vice president for Academic Affairs and upcoming president of Birzeit University, commended Dr. Doumani for leading the university in the past two years with prudence. Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, member of Birzeit University’s Board of trustees and upcoming chairperson of the board, elaborated on the hardships the university faced in the past two years, affirming that Dr. Doumani were able to deal with them with intelligence and acuity.
In recognition of Dr. Doumani’s efforts in the past two years, Dr. Nasir bestowed an award plaque upon him on behalf of the Board of Trustees, while Dr. Shahwan conferred another plaque upon him on behalf of the university.
