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Birzeit University (Arabic: جامعة بيرزيت) is a public university in the West Bank, Palestine, registered by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs as a charitable organization. It is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and located in the outskirts of Birzeit, West Bank, near Ramallah.[3][4] Established in 1924, as an elementary school for girls, Birzeit became a university in 1975.[5]
جامعة بيرزيت | |
 Birzeit University campus, 2007 | |
| Motto | Building a Better Palestinian Future |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1924 |
| Founder | Nabiha Nasir |
| President | Talal Shahwan[1] |
Academic staff | 617 |
| Students | 14,743 |
| Undergraduates | 13,523[2] |
| Postgraduates | 1466[2] |
| Location | , West Bank, Palestine |
| Campus | Urban 800 dunums (200 acres), 200 acres |
| Colors | green, black and white |
| Affiliations | UNIMED, AARU |
| Website | www.birzeit.edu |
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 Bachelor of Arts programs for undergraduate students and 39 Master of Arts programs for graduate students.[2] As of 2020, more than 15,000 students are enrolled in the university's bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs.[2]
Since five consecutive years, Birzeit University has retained its position as the top university in Palestine and is ranked among the best fifty universities in the Arab region according to the 2019 QS Arab Region University Rankings.[6]
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1920s - 1960s
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.[5]
1980s - 1990s
On 21 November 1984, a student at the university was shot and killed by the Israeli military, with five others being injured, while taking part in a demonstration in support of Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat.[7]
In January 1987, history professor Saleh Abd al-Jawad was sentenced to 39 days imprisonment by an Israeli military court after participating in a sit-down strike at the university in December 1986.[8]
The university was closed from 1988 until 1992 by the Israeli army.[9] The university was the last of 6 in Israel’s Arab-occupied territories to reopen.[10]
2000s - 2010s
The Faculty of Information Technology was established in 2006 (later merged with the Faculty of Engineering to create the Faculty of Engineering and Technology). 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.[5]
In 2015, Birzeit University launched the Ph.D. program in social sciences, its first doctorate program.[11] In 2016, the university was ranked first nationally in the January edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.[12] 2018 saw the establishment of Birzeit University's newest college, the Faculty of Art, Music and Design.[13] 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,[14] and it retained its position in the 2019 edition.[15] Beshara Doumani assumed office as president of the university in August 2021.[16]
2020s
In December 2021, a series of violent incidents between students of rival Palestinian factions occurred in the campus.[17] On 14 December 2021, Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet arrested a number of students allegedly involved with a Hamas cell, and accused them of funneling money and organizing rallies in support of the organization, as well as incitement.[18] The same day, hundreds of students took part in a Hamas parade on campus to mark the movement's founding anniversary.[17][18][19] Some students also attacked the university's security guards.[17]
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.[20]
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Old campus
The old Birzeit campus was centered around the historic Nasir family home constructed at the end of the Ottoman Empire and adjacent buildings that originally housed the elementary school founded in 1924, before later becoming the community college and eventually the university.[21]
New campus
Birzeit University's new campus is located atop a hill, with a view on the rolling hill and the Mediterranean Sea. The university's large building complexes and stone facades are designed in a contemporary architectural style, forming a contrast against the surrounding landscape of olive groves and small villages nestled in the valleys.[21]
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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.[22]
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.[23]
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; Graduate Studies and Research; and 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 and Research faculty, offer 39 postgraduate programs that lead to master's degrees. The university also offers three Ph.D. programs in Social Sciences; Computer Science and Mathematics.[24]
Birzeit University is affiliated with the independent public opinion research firm Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD).[25]
The university also proposes a rich and diverse additional programs such as the Literacy and Adult Education Program in 1976, aimed at providing technical expertise to nongovernmental organizations operating literacy programs and helping them overcome the challenges they encounter by creating developmental programs or giving books.
The Voluntary Work Program also requires students to fulfill 120 hours of community service to meet the graduation requirement, permitting them to explore Palestine in an educational manner.[21]
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Green campus
One of the earliest academic establishments in Palestine to embrace the idea of green buildings was Birzeit University. The campus has been thoughtfully planned with eco-friendly building standards in mind, aiming to show students and staff the importance of sustainability.[citation needed]
The policies of Birzeit University place a strong emphasis on environmental preservation, demonstrating a serious awareness of the climate crisis. Investing in development tools, water projects and protection of the environment exemplify their strategy aiming to achieve sustainable development goals while making the most use of the resources at hand.[26]
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Museums
The Birzeit University Museum is a significant location for exhibitions, workshops, and talks in the Palestinian cultural landscape.[27] The university's Ethnographic and Art Museum is a permanent museum with two main collections: the Palestinian Costumes, and the Tawfiq Canaan Amulet Collection. The Virtual Gallery is an art gallery promoting visual art through exhibitions, training and educational workshops.[28]
History
The museum evolved progressively as soon as Vera Tamari joined the university in 1986. She taught creative courses revolving around art and architecture. She significantly developed the university's artistic programs, eventually taking on major responsibility for its artistic initiatives. Moreover, as more attention was given to artistic practices, the university felt the need to devote a specific and larger space for art collections and creativity. Consequently, in 2005, the Birzeit University museum was established. Furthermore, significant donations were made to the museum, from the Palestinian American artist Sari Khoury, Kamal Boullata, Vladimir Tamari, Vera Tamari, Nasser Soumi, and Samira Badran.[21]
Political and social projects
This museum has a significant political role. Indeed, being part of an academic institution, the museum became important as it became a model of propagation and creation of cultural and artistic practices. Furthermore, this institution became a place where students can express themselves and participate in shared projects as a community.[29]
Poetry
Poetry holds a significant place in Birzeit University. One tradition is the Suk Okaz poetry competition, created since the founding of elementary school. It is based on the recital of classic Arabic poetry by students from the university.[21] In 1995, a public poetry recital was given within the university by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.[21]
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Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In 2024 (amid the Israel–Hamas war), Birzeit University has made a strong[according to whom?] appeal to the global academic world. They claim that Israel is waging a genocidal war on the Palestinian people and continuing to colonize them through settler colonies.
According to them, Israel's military operations—particularly its bombardments and incursions into crowded Palestinian regions like Gaza—amount to war crimes and savage aggression. By forcing Palestinians to flee their homes and taking their lands for Israeli settlements, they charge Israel with ethnic cleansing.
The conflict is framed by the institution as one involving occupation, oppression, and an uneven power dynamic. They see Israel as the main colonial power committing crimes against humanity and abuses of human rights. Birzeit also denounces what it sees as the complicity and apathy of the international community.[30]
Birzeit's Prisoners Committee
Birzeit's Prisoners Committee was created in 1980. It is an informal group from the university dedicated to assisting students and staff who faced harassment from Israeli military authorities. The aim of the committee was to document violations, contact lawyers, and raise awareness while providing a safe support for all students.[21]
Commemorations
Several commemorations were put in place within the university as a sign of resistance and a way to mourn the deaths of Palestinians.
One example is the plantations of trees on the campus initiated by students, commemorating the 1976 fatal shooting of six Palestinian citizens of Israel by the government for demonstrating against the seizure of land in the Galilee region.[31]
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By 2023, there are a number of professors who are also ministers in the Palestinian government. Thirteen members of the Palestinian negotiating team in U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace talks were faculty members of Birzeit University.[32]
Presidents
The former and current presidents of Birzeit University are:[33]
- Hanna Nasser (1972–1974)
- Gabi Baramki (1974–1993)
- Hanna Nasser (1993–2004)
- Nabeel Kassis (2004–2010)
- Khalil Hindi (2010–2015)
- Abdul Latif Abu Hijleh (2015–2021)
- Beshara Doumani (2021–2023)
- Talal Shahwan (2023–)
Academics and faculty
- Hanan Ashrawi taught literature.[10]
- 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 of Jerusalem between 1980 and 1996.[34]
- Lara Khaldi taught art history.[35]
- Vera Tamari is a Palestinian artist, art activist, founder of the Birzeit University Museum and lectures Art courses at the university.[29]
- Elia Suleiman a Palestinian filmmaker, taught courses within the university and engaged in the cultural activity.[21]
- Emily Jacir, a visual artist taught courses within the university and developed the university's Art collection by making a donation of a variety of 100 art videos.[21]
- Samia Halaby, a Palestinian American artist worked on an art project with Birzeit University architecture students during a month in 1996.[21]
Alumni
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2023) |
 | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (May 2024) |
- Hanan Awwad – Palestinian poet and activist
- Husam Zomlot – Head of Mission to the UK
- Hussein Barghouthi - Palestinian poet, writer, essayist, critic, lyricist, playwright and philosopher
- Yahya Ayyash – Hamas leader (known as "the Engineer")
- Marwan Barghouti—Palestinian political figure convicted of several murders of Israelis, studied in Birzeit between 1983 and 1988 and also headed the Student Council[36]
- Mohammed Shtayyeh—Palestinian politician, academic, and economist who served as Prime Minister of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority from 2019-2024[36]
- Khalida Jarrar—Palestinian representative on the Council of Europe and is currently head of the Prisoners Committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council.[36]
- Atef Abu Saif—Palestinian writer[36]
- Amer Shomali - Palestinian interdisciplinary visual artist
- Muna el-Kurd - Palestinian activist
- Amal Jadou – Palestinian diplomat, first Palestinian woman appointed Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, studied in Birzeit for her Master's Degree. [37][38]
Visit of renowned people
During another notable occasion, Mahmoud Darwish brought a delegation of prominent international writers and Nobel laureates from the International Parliament of Writers to visit Birzeit University.[21]
This group included:
- Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka
- South African poet and memoirist Breyten Breytenbach
- Chinese poet Bei Dao
- Spanish novelist Juan Goytisolo
- Portuguese Nobel laureate José Saramago
- Italian novelist Vincenzo Consolo
- French writer Christian Salmon
- American novelist Russel Banks.
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