Birzeit University
Birzeit is considered one of the Palestinian towns of exceptional importance because it hosts the oldest Palestinian University, Birzeit University. People describe the town as a picturesque scene where olive trees are spread around, agricultural terraces, and water springs cover the valleys. Many archaeological and historical sites and monuments also shaped the history of Birzeit.
Over a century, what began as a small girls' school in Birzeit town has become the most prestigious Palestinian University, transforming Palestinian higher education through its impact on community awareness, culture, and resistance. Birzeit University has been a thorn in the side of the occupation, insisting on playing its role of enlightenment, and creating a multicultural Palestinian society on the campus grounds.
Birzeit University began a school for girls in the town of Birzeit that was founded by the educator Nabiha Nasir (1891-1951). The school's main objective was to provide girls from Birzeit town and the neighboring villages with the opportunity for primary education at a time when there were no schools in that region. The educator Rateebah Shouqair (1881-1957) was the school's first principal.
Birzeit College teachers were divided between boys' teachers and girls' teachers. The girls' school was located in the house of Pastor Hanna Nasir, which comprised classes, a dormitory, and administration offices. The boys' school was located in rented homes and buildings in the neighborhood. One of these buildings was used for classes and teachers' accommodation; another was used as a residence for boys and a dining hall for teachers and students. Both schools used a third building owned by the Nasir family for public lectures, plays, debates, and other activities.
Musa Nasir took over the chairmanship of Birzeit University (1859-1971), and in 1953, the first-year class in Arts & Sciences was initiated, followed in 1961 by the sophomore type. Birzeit College continued working on developing its academic offerings. In 1972 it started its bachelor's degree programs in Arts and Sciences. The total number of educational programs had reached seven, and 200 students were enrolled from all the Palestinian territories. Also, a voluntary work program was started as a requirement for all students of bachelor programs.
In 1976, Birzeit University celebrated the graduation of the first class of undergraduate students, while the President of the University that year was Hanna Nasir, who was exiled to Lebanon. At the end of April of the same year, Birzeit University joined the Association of Arab Universities in the meeting held by the Union in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq.
During this period, Birzeit launched a pilot literacy and adult education program, acquainting the Palestinian community with its educational role. In April 1977, Birzeit University was the first Palestinian University to join the International Union of Universities.
In 1978, Birzeit University witnessed the founding of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics and the Institute of Community and Public Health, and the Faculty of Engineering, which was established in 1979.
Moreover, it was decided to build a new university campus on the outskirts of Birzeit town. The institution was placed under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, whose members were several citizens interested in Palestinian educational affairs, to engage the community in bearing the burdens and responsibilities of the institution and to ensure that it fulfills its mission. The board was legally registered, and the founding family that owned the land where the University was located transferred it to the university administration. In 1975, Birzeit College changed its name to become Birzeit University.
During the 1980s, the University worked on developing its academic programs and infrastructure, and initiated many educational programs, including the master's program in education (the first graduate program in Palestine), and Birzeit Testing Laboratories. In 1985, Yusuf Ahmed Ghanem Library opened, and in 1989, it began computerizing its office operations. In the same year, the administration building and Kamal Nasser Hall opened.
University president Hanna Nasir returned to the Palestinian territories in April 1993 after spending more than 18 years in exile. He inaugurated the Center for Continuing Education, and opened the Faculty of Commerce and Economics building. The Institute of Law and the National Music Conservatory were founded in Ramallah in the same year.
At the beginning of the academic year 1993/1994, the University kicked off its Palestine Arabic- Studies Program, which was designed to teach international students courses in Arabic, one course on women in Arab society, and a course in contemporary Palestinian literature. In 1994, the University launched two institutes, the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, and the Institute of Women's Studies.
Graduate programs in education and in international studies were opened and included 16 programs.
On June 27, 1994, the University signed an agreement with the French government, to establish the Institute of Law to develop Palestinian law, lay the pillars of sovereignty, and respond to Palestinian needs in the legal field. The institute opened on April 27, 1995.
Hanna Nasir was elected on August 2, 1995, as a member of the Board of Trustees and a member of the International Union of Universities representing 800 Institutions. It was the first time that a Palestinian member was elected.
At the beginning of 1996, Birzeit University joined the global online network to break the isolation imposed on Palestinians in communications and information transfer.
On June 20, 1996, a radio-training center opened at the University to prepare a professional media cadre, and train local radio broadcasters. A vocational training center in printed media also opened on December 4, 1996, aiming to develop the Palestinian press in the foundations of democracy and principles of freedom and openness.
On November 10, 1997, Birzeit University initiated its graduate program in Water Engineering to prepare young leaders to deal with water issues, and to apply technological means to ensure optimum use of water resources.
The Medical Clinic also opened on March 21, 1998, to provide health services to families, university students, faculty members, and staff. The Institute of Law opened on October 20, 1998, to unify Palestinian legislation and develop legislative drafting standards, with support from the Qatari and French governments.
On October 28, 1998, the diploma program in government institutions management opened to support the training of Palestinian institutions, particularly in education.
On December 31, 1999, a language lab was opened at the University to enhance the Department of Languages and Translation services, and to add a new specialty in French language and translation
On the 6th of June, 2000, the University opened the Institute of Environmental and Water Studies, and the Institute of Graduate Studies (Aziz Shaheen Building). This same year, Saba Arafat assumed the presidency of the Board of Trustees. Ibrahim Dakkak took over the presidency of the Board of Trustees in 2003.
In 2004, Nabil Kassis took over the presidency of the University to succeed Hanna Nasir. Also, the Faculty of Law and Public Administration was founded with the support of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Institute of Women's Studies and the main library extension were opened. The Birzeit University Museum was established in 2005.
In 2006, Hanna Nasir was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees. Under his care, the Faculty of Information Technology was founded, and the Physical Education Building (Muhammad Imran Bamieh and Walid Kayyali building) was opened.
The Faculty of Arts (Aziz Shaheen Building) was opened in 2007, along with the Faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. The Najjad Zeenni Information Technology Center of Excellence was opened in 2008, and the Said Khoury Building for Development Studies in 2009.
Khalil Hindi assumed the university presidency, succeeding Nabil Kassis in 2010, until 2013.
During this period, the Faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Professions (Ghalib Younis Building), the Faculty of Education (Muhammad Imran Bamieh Building), the new Administration Building (Walid and Helen Qattan), and the Mohammed Masrouji Media Building were opened.
Abdullatif Abuhijleh took over the university presidency from 2015 to 2021.
Birzeit University continued to build itself up at this time historically. The Michel and Sanieh Hakim Observatory was established through a generous donation from Ramez Hakim, to provide a unique venue that combines astronomical observation, research, teaching, and outreach. Later that year, the University inaugurated the Samih Darwazah Institute for Pharmaceutical Industries, and the Nasib Aziz Shaheen Auditorium: modern and artistic facilities available to students and the Palestinian community, to further progressive discourse.
In 2016, the foundation stone for the Palestine-India Techno Park was laid, to be built on 20 dunums of Birzeit University land. In 2017, the University inaugurated the Riad Tawfik Al-Sadik Faculty of Law and Public Administration, a new milestone in the University's evolution.
The University offers 119 academic programs (76 bachelor programs, 39 master programs, 1 Ph.D., two diploma programs, and one program for international students) across nine faculties. The number of students enrolled at Birzeit University for the academic year (2021/2022) is 15,074, of which 62% are females.