Birzeit University launches 4th International Staff Training Week

On Saturday, June 5, 2023, Birzeit University launched the fourth International Staff Training Week, gathering colleagues and international partners to explore collaboration prospects and promote partnerships.

Organized by the External Academic Relations Office, the International Staff Training Week seeks to enhance mobility, develop intercultural competence and address challenges hindering the development of sustainable and quality higher education. The event will be concluded on June 9.

In the first day, Dr. Talal Shahwan, vice president for Academic Affairs, welcomed the attendees and introduced the university’s academic programs, institutes and centers.

He elaborated, “Since its establishment, Birzeit University has upheld values of democracy, diversity, openness and freedom of thought and expression. This year, the university launched the Social Justice Observatory to create an inclusive atmosphere on campus and deepen students’ commitment to these values.”

After outlining the schedule of the event, Dr. Amir Khalil, director of the External Academic Relations Office, talked about the opportunities international students and academics have at Birzeit University.

He explained, “The International Staff Week is one of the many activities we organize to internationalize Birzeit University and develop intercultural competence. It is very important to send staff and students abroad through mobility agreements, but it is just as important to receive internationals and introduce them to the distinguished work we do on campus.”

Rania Maree, director of the Public Relations Office, elaborated on the role of her office in promoting the university image and enhancing its outreach among the public.

Maree added, “Given the complex social, political and economic situation in Palestine, Birzeit University assumes great responsibility in the Palestinian community, providing services and fostering values pertaining to diversity and gender equality.”

Dr. Tina Rafidi, assistant professor at the Department of Languages and Translation and assistant to the dean at the Faculty of Arts, led an icebreaker session, introducing participants to one another and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

To facilitate their stay in Palestine, Dr. Hanada Kharama, instructor at the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, introduced participants to common Arabic expressions used in everyday life.

Later, the participants went on a campus tour to explore the university and visited the Palestinian Museum to learn about the Palestinian cultural scene.

Thirty academics and staff from international universities across the world have come to Birzeit University to participate in the International Staff Week, including colleagues from Powiślański University, Poland; Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Türkiye; the University of Johannesburg, South Africa; the Free University of Berlin, Germany; the City College of New York, US; the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain; the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, Germany; the University of Bern, Switzerland; Sultan Zainal Abidin University, Malaysia; the University of Iceland; the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands; the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Italy; Dante Alighieri University, Italy; and the University of Limerick, Ireland.