Birzeit University
| Motto | Building a Better Palestinian Future |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1924 |
| President | Dr. Nabeel Kassis |
| Undergraduates | 6,626 |
| Postgraduates | 1,170 |
| Location | Birzeit , Palestine |
| Website | http://www.birzeit.edu |
Birzeit University (BZU) (Arabic: جامعة بيرزيت) is a University located at Birzeit near Ramallah. BZU is among the foremost tertiary educational institutes in Palestine and has played a significant role in the Palestinian political dialogue.
Foundations of BZU
The institution was originally founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir as an elementary school for girls from Birzeit and the surrounding villages. It was one of the first schools in the area. In 1930, it became a co-educational secondary school, and in 1932 was renamed Birzeit Higher School.
In 1942, the name was changed to Birzeit College to be in harmony with its educational secondary level . In 1953, a freshman class was incorporated to Birzeit College, followed by a sophomore class in 1961. BZU is the first higher education institution of to be established in Palestine .
BZU's official language is Arabic, though many courses are taught in English. The University follows a semester system, with two four-month semesters beginning in Autumn and Spring, and a shorter two-month semester in Summer.
Achieving University Status
Birzeit University is the first institution of higher education to be established in Palestine . In addition to providing students with the opportunity to realize their academic aspirations, the University encourages its students to be productive citizens and active members of their community.
The University plays a central role in developing the most valuable national resource in its society – namely the human one. New graduate and undergraduate programs in information technology, engineering, sciences, social policy, economics and management are being developed to assist in meeting this objective. The University campus is being expanded to better equip the University to meet the growing needs of higher education in the Palestinian society. At the same time, Birzeit University's various community Centers and Institutes continue to enhance and develop their work through intensive policy-oriented research to assist in the economic, social and human development of Palestine.
The University offers numerous undergraduate and post-graduate degrees through its seven faculties: Arts, Commerce and Economics, Engineering, Sciences, Law and Public Administration, Information Technology and Graduate Studies.
The Graduate Studies programs offers post-graduate diplomas and masters degrees in the following fields: Contemporary Arabic Studies; Arabic Islamic History; Education; Sociology; International Studies; Democracy and Human Rights; Economics; Law; Community and Public Health; Water and Environmental Engineering; Water and Environmental Sciences ; Gender, Law and Development; Business Administration; Applied statistics; Scientific Computing; Urban Planning And Design; and Medical Laboratory Sciences.
The University also offers two High Diplomas in Primary Healthcare (Supervision and Training); and Gender, Law and Development. In addition to its academic programs, the University has a wide range of institutes, centers and programs that aim to develop and support the community-oriented programs that contributes to the achievement of sustainable development in Palestine.
Support for the University comes from numerous Palestinian, Arab and international institutions or foundations as well as from various individuals. Such support has enabled the University to continuously expand and develop.
BZU Under Israeli Occupation
After the Six Day War in 1967, the West Bank was occupied by Israel. The College put forward plans in 1972 to provide a program of study up to the fourth year, leading to the award of a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences. It also started work on the construction of a new campus overlooking the town of Birzeit.
The systematic obstruction of Palestinian education not only violates the human rights of the individuals involved, but is also an attack on the development of Palestinian society as a whole. Palestinian Universities contribute to future Palestinian generations by teaching some 120,000 students and employing around 10,000 academics and staff every year. They also produce local knowledge which is a most valuable resource for the cultural and economic development of a society and nation. It is essential therefore, for foreign governments to call on Israel to cease the isolation of Palestinian educational institutions and to at least demand reciprocal treatment for their citizens who wish to visit and study in Palestine.
Students are arrested on their way to and from university at military checkpoints, while others are arrested during army raids on student homes and dormitories. These students are taken to a detention center and interrogated, often involving some form of abuse or torture such as beatings, sleep and food depravation and being tied in painful positions for long periods.
During the First Intifada, between 1987-1992, Palestinian education was effectively made illegal by the Israeli occupation and all Palestinian universities, schools and even kindergartens were closed down by military order for nearly five years. Since September 2000, tens of schools have been closed by the Israeli Army and turned into military barracks, while hundreds more have been forced to close periodically due to prolonged curfew and obstructed access. Hebron University and the Palestine Polytechnic University were closed down by military order for 8 months in 2003, denying over 6000 students their right to education.
The military closure of the Ramallah-Birzeit road by 'Surda Roadblock' between March 2001 to December 2003 effectively put Birzeit University under siege for nearly 3 years. The road is now open again but remains subject to frequent 'flying checkpoints' when soldiers and Army jeeps block the road to the University, preventing access to students and teachers trying to reach their classes. Surda Roadblock is one of over 700 checkpoints and roadblocks throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip and a clear example of the strangulation of normal life by Israel's illegal policies of collective punishment.
The construction of the Wall through Palestinian cities and villages in the West Bank is having a devastating impact on Palestinians' access to services, including education. The Wall isolates and divides Palestinian population centers, cutting students off from their schools and universities and literally bulldozing through educational institutions in its path.
Prominent students and staff
External links
- Official site
- A Personal Diary of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Nigel Parry, a former Birzeit University Employee