Birzeit University hosts delegation from Fobzu Palestine-UK Academics Links Seminar (PALS)
On Monday, June 26, 2023, a delegation from the Fobzu Palestine-UK Academics Links Seminar (PALS) visited Birzeit University to learn about higher education in Palestine. Organized by the Friends of Birzeit University, UK, the visit aimed at building educational links and promoting mutual understanding between faculty members in the United Kingdom and Palestine.
The delegation met with Dr. Ahmed Abu Hanieh, professor and dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research; D. Amir Khalil, director of the External Academic Relations Office at Birzeit University; several faculty members; and representatives from various institutes and centers at the university.
Dr. Abu Hanieh stressed the significance of bolstering links with UK academics in order to promote research and conduct joint projects, highlighting that the faculty members at Birzeit University participate in many research projects with international academics across the world.
Dr. Khalil commented, “International solidarity and academic visits are very important for us as Palestinians, as the Israeli occupation imposes restrictions that assault higher education in Palestine. It is through conducting collaboration projects with international academic institutions that we can finally break the siege on Palestinian universities and internationalize Birzeit University.”
Dr. Ala Alazzeh, assistant professor and director of the Palestine and Arabic Studies (PAS) program, introduced the delegation to the opportunities international students have at Birzeit University.
Dr. Alazzeh explained, “Not only does the program offer Arabic language classes and flexible courses across faculties, but it also organizes many field trips, allowing international students to explore everyday life in Palestine and to integrate into the Palestinian culture.”
Later, the delegation met members of the Right to Education campaign at Birzeit University to learn about Israeli violations against Birzeit University students and Israeli directives that isolate Palestinian universities.
The visit sought to introduce UK academics, educators and PhD students to the Palestinian higher education sector, its achievements and challenges to develop their awareness of the structural impediments to education facing Palestinians living under occupation and in exile.
