Birzeit University Organizes a Seminar on University Classifications and Scientific Publications Data Base
As part of the context of its efforts to strengthen its presence on the Internet in an effort to publicize its academic research and publications, Birzeit University organized a seminar on academic classifications and rules of scientific publications on 6 July 2015.
In his opening address, BZU president Dr. Khalil Hindi indicated that these academic classifications are of increasing global interest, stressing that despite academics’ hatred for these ratings, yet they can’t be ignored at all. Hindi talked about the mechanisms that must be work out in order to upgrade Birzeit University, most importantly quality of teaching, teaching methods and scientific research.
The Vice President for Advancement Dr. Ghassan Khatib pointed to the challenge facing Birzeit University in terms of the high competition from various universities. Khatib explained the most prominent aspects of competition with other universities, which are: to attract new students, which lead to lowering admission averages, attracting outstanding students and teachers, obtaining accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for different programs and securing funds and donations from local and international organizations.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies dean Dr. Talal Shahwan addressed the university publications and its presence on the Internet, noting that according to the Scopus classification, which is considered the largest database for scientific journals, covering approximately 20,000 magazines published by more than 5,000 publishing houses. Shahwan added that Palestine ranked 110 among 239 countries in 2014, which participated in scientific publications.
The head of the Institutional Research Unit Mu’tasem Abu Daqqa said that the university has participated in several international rankings, including QS and U Multirank, explaining that Birzeit University has been rated between 61-70 in the latest results of the QS classification, being one of the top 100 universities in the Arab region in 2015.
