Science dean, professor explore challenges in science education through workshop

Birzeit University’s Dean of the Faculty of Science Dr. Wafaa Khater and chair of the Department of Chemistry Dr. Imtiaz Darwish took part in a workshop at An-Najah National University on May 11, 2022. The workshop was focused on the challenges faced by the faculties of science in Palestine.

The workshop attracted deans and professors of science across Palestine to evaluate the difficulties in teaching the natural sciences, especially the low student enrollment numbers.

Khater focused on highlighting the strategies that Birzeit University employs to attract more students to enroll in science programs, including offering scholarships and supporting interdisciplinary programs. She also emphasized the importance of highlighting success stories of renowned alumni through email lists, social media and the like to increase enrollment rates.

Khater and Darwish gave a comparison study to evaluate student enrollment rates in the past ten years. According to this study, Birzeit University’s female enrollment rates in the natural sciences has increased compared to male students.

At the end of the workshop, participants formed a committee of Palestinian university deans in faculty of science programs to oversee teaching and discuss methods of boosting student enrollment.