Dr. Talal Shahwan is elected president of Birzeit University

The Board of Trustees at Birzeit University announced the decision made to appoint Dr. Talal Shahwan as president of the university starting from August 1, 2023, following the resignation of Dr. Beshara Doumani at the end of July.

The Board of Trustees congratulates Dr. Shahwan and recognizes the significant role Dr. Doumani played in the last two years as university president. During his tenure, Dr. Doumani contributed to the development of the university’s academic and administrative performance and to the enhancement of its external relations at the local and international levels.

Currently, Dr. Shahwan serves as vice president for Academic Affairs. He obtained his master’s degree in chemistry in 1997 and completed his Ph.D. in 2000 at Bilkent University, Turkey. From 2000 to 2002, he worked as an instructor at the same university, before joining Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey, where he was promoted to the rank of assistant professor in 2006. He joined the Department of Chemistry at Birzeit University in 2008 and was promoted to the rank of full professor in 2012.

Dr. Shahwan served as dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and director of the Scientific Research Committee from 2013 to 2018. He was ranked among the top 2% of the world's most widely cited scientists, according to the 2022 Stanford University and Elsevier analysis lists.

The Board of Trustees wishes Dr. Shahwan success and prosperity, as he takes on the responsibility of leading the university.