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Birzeit University (BZU; Template:Lang-ar) is a public university in the West Bank, registered by the Ministry of Social Affairs as charitable organization. It is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and located in Birzeit, West Bank, near Ramallah. Established in 1924 as an Elementary School for girls, Birzeit became a University in 1975.

Birzeit University offers graduate and undergraduate programs in information technology, engineering, sciences, social policy, arts, law, nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, economics, and management. It has 9 faculties, including a graduate faculty. These offer 76 B.A. programs for undergraduate students and 34 M.A. programs for graduate students. As of 2020, more than 15,000 students are enrolled in the university's bachelor's, master's and PhD programs.

History

Birzeit School for Girls was founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir (1891-1951) as an elementary school for girls from Birzeit and the surrounding villages. It was one of the first schools in the region. In 1930, it broadened its scope to become a co-educational secondary school, and in 1932, it was renamed Birzeit Higher School. In 1942, the name was changed to Birzeit College. In 1953, a freshman higher education class was incorporated, followed by a sophomore class in 1961.

The Faculty of Information Technology was established in 2006 (later merged with the Faculty of Engineering to create the Faculty of Engineering and Technology), and in 2007, the Faculty of Arts was established. The Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (later renamed Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions) was established in 2008.

In 2015, Birzeit University launched the Ph.D. program in social sciences, its first doctorate program. In 2016, the university was ranked first nationally in the January edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. 2018 saw the establishment of Birzeit University's newest college, the Faculty of Art, Music and Design. The university was ranked top nationally and among the top 3 percent of universities worldwide in the 2018 edition of the QS World University Rankings, and it retained its position in the 2019 edition.

Dr. Beshara Doumani assumed office as President of the University in August of 2021.

The university was closed from 1988 until 1992 by the Israeli army. The university was the last of 6 in Israeli occupied territories to reopen.

In 2019, the Birzeit university passed a ban against military-style activities in the university, but it is rarely enforced, and Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the PLFP often hold rallies on campus. On 14 December 2021, an event marking the 34th anniversary of Hamas' founding was held on campus. At the event, activists of the Hamas student movement praised the "body parts of scattered" in suicide bombings against Israeli citizens in Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Ofra. The audience, including children carrying weapons, also paid homage to Yahya 'Ayyash, a graduate of Birzeit, and the former chief bombmaker of Hamas and leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and the United Kingdom. Later on the same day, Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet arrested a number of students allegedly involved with a Hamas cell, and accused of funneling money and organizing rallies in support of the organization. On 10 January 2022, an undercover Israeli military unit known as the Mista'arvim stormed the university, shooting one student in the leg and detaining four other student activists involved in campus mobilizations and protests against the occupation.

Board of Trustees

Birzeit University is governed by an autonomous Board of Trustees composed of educators and professionals from the Palestinian community. The board appoints the president of the university. It also confirms the appointment of vice-presidents and deans upon the recommendation of the president. The board approves the budget and general development plans presented to it by the university council.

Administration

The university follows a semester system, with two four-month semesters beginning in Autumn and Spring, and two shorter two-month semesters in summer. Support comes from numerous Palestinian, Arab, and international foundations, as well as from various individuals.

Faculties

The university, through its nine faculties (Arts; Science; Business and Economics; Law and Public Administration; Engineering and Technology; Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions; Education; and Graduate Studies, Art Music and Design), provides academic programs(76 programs) that end in bachelor's degrees, such as the major/minor programs.

These faculties, in addition to the Graduate Studies faculty, offer 32 postgraduate programs that lead to master's degrees. The university also offers one Ph.D. program in social sciences.

Notable people

Currently, there are a number of professors who are also appointed as ministers in the current Palestinian government. Thirteen members of the Palestinian negotiating team in U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace talks were faculty members of Birzeit University. Hanan Ashrawi taught literature there.

The South African-born sociologist Stanley Cohen worked at Birzeit in support of Palestinian staff and students while a Professor in Criminology at the Hebrew University between 1980 and 1996.

Saeed Abu Ali worked as associate professor.

See also

• List of Palestinian universities
• Palestinian Galleries and Museums

References

1. "Appointment of Professor Beshara Doumani As President of Birzeit University Starting The Coming Academic Year." Birzeit University.
2. ^ "Facts and Figures." Birzeit University.
3. "External Academic Relations" (PDF). Birzeit University.
4. J−amiʻat B−ir Zayt (1977). Development and expansion plan, 1977-1986. The Office. p. introduction.
5. ^ "Chronology". Birzeit.edu. 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
6. "New Semester Kicks off New Social Science PhD and Israeli Studies MA". Birzeit University. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2021-09-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. "Palestinian Territories". Ranking of World Universities. Archived from the original on 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
8. "New Faculty of Art and Music at BZU addresses rising needs from the growing creative industries locally and globally". Birzeit University. 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2021-09-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
9. "2019 QS World University Rankings". TopUniversities. Archived from the original on 2019-10-27.
10. "2019 QS World University Rankings". TopUniversities. Archived from the original on 2019-10-27.
11. "Introductory Message — President's Office". Birzeit University. 2021-08-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
12. "University Closure History". Birzeit University. 26 April 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
13. ^ Williams, Daniel (1992-04-21). Major Palestinian University to Reopen: Israel: The Birzeit campus on the West Bank will be the last of six closed four years ago to resume operations. LA Times, 21 April 1992. Retrieved from .
14. "Birzeit bans 'military' events, sparking student protests - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
15. ^ "Defying Ban On Military Activity On Campus, Students At Palestinian Authority Birzeit University Hold Military Parades With Mock Rockets, Explosive Belts". MEMRI. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
16. "Students accuse Birzeit University of Israel normalization". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
17. "Military-terrorist parades at West Bank Birzeit University campus features mock suicide bombers". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
18. "At Rally Honoring Hamas, Birzeit University Students Give Salutations To 'Body Parts Scattered' In Suicide Attacks In Israeli Cities, Chant: 'Jihad For The Sake Of Allah! Death For The Sake Of Allah!'". MEMRI. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
19. At Rally Honoring Hamas, Birzeit University Students Give Salutations to “Body Parts Scattered”, retrieved 2022-01-13
20. "Israeli Forces Raid West Bank Universities, Arrest 11 Palestinian Students". Haaretz. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
21. "Israeli forces storm Birzeit University, shoot and arrest students". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
22. "About : Quick Facts". Birzeit.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
23. Pioneers of Qualitative Research Stan Cohen UK Data Service, funded by the ESRC, Economic and Social Data Service, undated, retrieved 30 September 2015.

External links

• Official site
• Official site (in Arabic)
• Friends of Birzeit University
• The Palestine and Arabic Study Abroad Program at Birzeit

• Palestine

31°57′31.29″N 35°10′50.54″E / 31.9586917°N 35.1807056°E / 31.9586917; 35.1807056

• Birzeit University
• Educational institutions established in 1924
• 1924 establishments in Mandatory Palestine
• Birzeit
• Nursing schools in the State of Palestine