Swiss Representative Visits Birzeit University to Discuss Cooperation

Switzerland’s representative to the Palestinian National Authority Paul Garnier visited Birzeit University on November 10, 2014, and met with university president Khalil Hindi to discuss ways to strengthen academic cooperation.

The meeting was attended by Vice President for Academic Affairs Henry Giacaman, Vice President for Advancement Ghassan Khatib, External Academic Relations officer Dolly Kaibni, National Human Security officer Moien Odeh and the representative’s assistant Samar Dissi.

The parties addressed upcoming joint activities, including the international conference on humanitarian law to be held soon at Birzeit University on the occasion of the 150 anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Convention. The conference is expected to be held on November 29, 2014 in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and will also include a photo gallery on humanitarian issues around the world.

Also, the two sides discussed the visit of a high-level Swiss delegation to Birzeit University to explore how Palestine is working to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in science and economics. Tentatively, the visit will be on December 6, 2014.

Kaibni gave a brief introduction of academic relations between Birzeit University and Swiss universities, most importantly relations with the University of Lausanne, where two Birzeit students were sent to pursue their doctoral degrees.