An-Najah hosts “After Oslo- The Palestinian Nation Building, between State and Diaspora”

Dr. Kherieh Rassas, President Assistant for International and Strategic Affairs, welcomed the participants this morning to the French Consulate General sponsored symposium "After Oslo - The Palestinian National Building, between State and Diaspora" This three day symposium is being jointly held at An-Najah National University and Birzeit University. Today's topic at An-Najah focuses on Oslo and the return to the Oslo peace plan.

In her welcoming speech, Dr. Kherieh thanked the French Cultural Center in Nablus, the French Consulate General, the scientific coodinator Aude Signoles, and all the international friends present today. In her speech she quoted Immanuel Kant "although all our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that, it all arises from experience" as well as Khalil Gibran in his literary work the prophet said that "you talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts". This symposium is a testament to the great cooperation An-Najah enjoys with the French Consulate General.

Ms. Aude Signoles then followed up with a short reminder of the conference objectives. She issued the following statement concerning the reasons for the symposium.
Each year, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the "Fonds d'Alembert", works to enhance French intellectual expertise by organizing meetings, seminars, roundtables, and forums through exchange with universities, research centers, and also general public partner countries.

Many reasons have led us to choose this year, after organizing seminars on the concept of resilience in 2007 and the issue of universal values in 2008, organizing meetings around "the news of Palestine Studies in France" and invite French researchers specializing in modern Palestine. Among these reasons, the celebration of Jerusalem as a capital of Arab culture in 2009. By giving voice to the French researchers, this highlights the culture and heritage of the Palestinian people as a cultural and linguistic region.

More broadly, the organization of an event of this magnitude of French research devoted to contemporary Palestine is an important institutional device for French cooperation in the Palestinian Territories construction of a state, covering all areas related to governance.

Research on the Arab world has recently witnessed major developments in France and throughout the Western world, by challenging the paradigm of the "clash of civilizations" used to explain the developments in the modern world and the paradoxes of globalization. The multiplication in France of "academic and research centers devoted to the study of the 'Arab world' or 'societies of the Muslim world'" is evidence of this revival.

Research in Palestine in France encompasses all the social science fields. Their revival over the past fifteen years is closely tied to the hopes raised by the Oslo Accords. Initially focused on the issue of state building, Palestinian studies became directed at more "micor", singular and concrete issues, taking advantage of addressing the political margins - for example, work on municipal management and local politics, the social practices of everyday life, the history of places, personalities, Diaspora communities, and monographs on the dominant players.

It is important that the young researcher's generation that is working on contemporary Palestine, based on extensive field studies, is able to present the Palestinian public policy issues as part of the exchange with Palestinian academics.

This symposium embodies the concept that "it is the educators that teach the future leaders"।
http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5703&page=1393&l=en

Faculty of Nursing at An Najah National University holds the Scientific Nursing Conference "The Primary Health Care, Reality and Challenges"

On Tuesday 24^th of November, 2009, The Faculty of Nursing at An Najah National University held the Scientific Nursing Conference titled "The Primary Health Care, Reality and Challenges" in cooperation with Balad Institution for Development and Creativity and a number of nurses, hospitals' directors and students.

In the conference Dr. Adnan Sarhan, the Faculty of Nursing Dean, presented a brief introduction about the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and talked about the role that the Faculty carries out in promoting Nursing as a profession in Palestine. In addition to this, he said that the Faculty has provided an MA program in Psychological Health recently. Dr. Sarhan thanked An Najah National University represented by its President Prof. Rami Hamdallah for its support of the Faculty.

The participants presented several work papers and posters on different topics such as: Levels of Prevention, Family Planning, Counseling, Nursing, environmental health, international principles for the marketing of artificial milk, food self-examination, environment resources protection and many others। At the end of the conference Dr. Sarhan hoped that cooperation will continue between the Faculty and Balad Institution in this field in the future.

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5773&page=1393&l=en

Water and Environmental Studies Institute Inaugurates a Course on Promoting Environmental Awareness

The Water and Environmental Studies Institute (WESI) At An Najah National University, powered by the Cultural Section of the Consulate General of the United States in Jerusalem, inaugurated on Sunday, 13^th of December 2009, a course titled “Promoting Environmental Awareness among Headmasters, Instructors and Officials regarding School Health in Nablus". The course was attended by representatives of the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem, the Ministry of Education, a number of schoolmasters and teachers, as well as instructors and officials from An Najah National University.

Prof. Marwan Haddad, Director of the Water and Environmental Studies Institute at the University, spoke about this course and said that its primary goal is to promote environmental and health awareness among school teachers and headmasters regarding the school’s environment. He also added that the course comes to educate school officials in Nablus about the necessity of providing healthy food, water and a clean environment in schools.

The course, which continues until next Thursday, includes a team of experts from An Najah National University, as well as an American specialist from Utah University in the United States in the field of on school health and environment।

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5830&page=1393&l=en

The University finishes a project providing a second village with a solar-powered lighting system

The Energy Research Center (ERC) at An Najah National University finished a project providing Aumnaizel village with electricity using a central solar system with a 13 kilowatt power. This project is one of the biggest projects that the center has executed regarding electricity generation using solar cells.

Dr. Imad Ibrik, Director of the ERC at the University, said that Aumnaizel village located south of Yatta Town in Hebron lacks water and a proper electricity infrastructure. However, on Thursday, 18^th of December 2009, this project provided the village with a solar-powered electricity system which is connected to a generator to help charge the batteries। Dr. Ibrik added that the project was executed by the ERC in cooperation with CIBA and TTA Spanish Technical institutions, and with the support of the Spanish Government’s Spanish Cooperation Body. The Community Service Center at the University, the Palestinian Energy Authority and the Southern Electricity Company were also among those who participated in the project.

This project is the second of its kind that has been executed by the ERC। The first project was executed in Atoof village in the West Bank. There are also plans to execute further projects that include the use of renewable energy such as solar power to provide remote villages with electricity. Dr. Ibrik thanked the Spanish Government and the University for their support of the center during the project.

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5870&page=1393&l=en

First Agricultural Conference in Palestine at An-Najah

The First Agricultural Conference for the Agricultural Engineers Association titled "Reality and Challenges" was held under the patronage of An Najah University President, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, and the Palestinian Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ismail Du'eik at the Martyr Zafer Al-Masri Auditoriums at the Old Campus. Attended the conference also were Saqer Nazzal, Chairman of the Agricultural Engineers Association, and Mazen Sinokrot, Director of Sinokrot Global Group.

In his speech, Prof. Hamdallah said that agriculture is a major part of the Palestinian heritage and plays an important role in the purification of the environment, and the maintenance of water resources. He also highlighted the obstacles that influence the agricultural sector in Palestine such as the many acts done by the occupation, as well as the high prices of agriculture equipments like pesticides and fertilizers. Therefore, he said that the University, through the Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary, holds lectures and seminars, offers awareness plans and consultancies, and conducts researches in order to support farmers.

Engineer Nazzal said that this conference comes to focus on the agricultural sector through the participation of agricultural unions and the Palestinian universities. He pointed out the importance of developing agriculture in Palestine through providing necessary policies, techniques and support. On his part, Dr. Du'eik assured that the Ministry of Agriculture seeks to support Palestinian agricultural engineers through offering different training courses, and that the Ministry seeks to send delegations to other countries to transfer the Palestinian agricultural experience through a number of experts. Engineer Sinokrot also spoke about the relationship between the agricultural sector and the national economy and called for more efforts to support agriculture in Palestine. The conference discussed several work papers that discussed plant protection and production, agriculture science, studies about plant immunity against diseases and pests, amount of precipitation, supplementary irrigation, researches on local corps and others.

The participants also discussed animal production, health and fodder in Palestine, rural development, modern scientific methods for agricultural guidance, supporting agriculture through the Agricultural Projects Information System (APIS), natural resources, studies about contamination of corps and biodiversity.

Finally, the participants recommended to pass laws and regulations that allow more exploitation of lands for agriculture and to support agriculture financially। They also called for more coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and agricultural research centers, and promote agricultural awareness to emphasize the importance of land cultivation.

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5887&page=1393&l=en

Unique Course Offered in the Continuing Education Center at the University

The Continuing Education Center at the University Started on Thursday one of the most important courses that it holds in North Palestine. The course is considered an advanced and supplementary course for those who are involved in the courses of quality management principles and their implementation among industrial and service companies.

Dr. Musaddaq Al-Masri, Director of the Continuing Education Center at An Najah University declared that the "Internal Auditing on Quality Management Systems" course is the scientific and practical tool for continuous improvement in industrial and service companies, and it also helps in establishing a contact between the academic side of the participant and the practical side of his work in the field of industry and services and aims at preparing the participants to be involved in the work field.

The course is delivered by Engineer Said Dwaikat, the expert accredited by the International Register of Certified Auditors (IRCA) for Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Environment Management Systems (EMS), and by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Dr. Dwaikat said that this course will discuss different topics such as: the objectives of internal auditing, its stages and applied types in companies, the practical planning for internal auditing, how to implement internal auditing and achieve the results….etc.

Dr। Dwaikat added that holding such a course highlights the University's willingness to serve the society by providing qualified professionals in respect to internal auditing. The Continuing Education Center provides a large number of scientific courses in Nursing, blood analysis, languages, management and many others.

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5904&page=1393&l=en

An Najah Alumni Association Graduates the Fifty-Three

06/01/2010

An Najah Alumni Association at the University graduated the fifty-three "Be Ready to Start Working" course. The course, which continued for 15 training hours over seven days, involved 40 graduate students and a number of instructors in various fields such as writing a CV, job interviews, time management, correspondences, self-development, computer applications, using English in the work field, as well as other topics that aim at preparing the graduate to be involved in the work field.

The participants in the course were admired by the quality and the uniqueness of the topics, as well as the outstanding methods through which lectures were delivered to them during the course.Finally, Mr. Rafe Daraghma, Director of An Najah Alumni Association,distributed the certificates among the participants and illustrated the many ways through which they can find jobs and contact employers and institutions।
http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5914&page=1393&l=en

University Participates in the Workshop of the International RELEMR Experts for Disaster Reduction in the Mediterranean Region

Represented by Dr. Jalal Dabeek, Director of the Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Center at An Najah University, Dr. Iman Al-Amad, Director of the Architectural Conservation Unit and Hatem Al-Wahesh as a researcher in the Center, the University participated in the workshop of the RELEMR (Reducing Earthquake Losses in the Eastern Mediterranean Region) International Experts Group which was held in Lisbon in Portugal.

In the workshop, Dr. Dabeek presented a work paper on the degree of awareness among the Palestinian people regarding disaster reduction. The work paper also included results of the earthquake survey that was conducted by the Director of the Opinion Polls and Survey Studies Center at An Najah University, Dr. Hussien Ahmad, and is considered as the first of its kind in the Middle East. Other work papers discussed historical buildings and how to assess them in terms of architecture, construction, rehabilitation to withstand earthquakes.

The Participants in the workshop further discussed how to use the HAZUS (Hazard Assessment Universal Program) to conduct analyses and seismic scenarios in Palestine and some Arab countries in order to identify the volume of losses that might occur due to a disaster.

Most of the Arab and European countries as well as representatives of American institutions participated in the workshop and discussed cooperation prospects, and to conduct joint studies between the Arab, European and American Institutes।
http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5914&page=1393&l=en

Public Relations Department at the University Receives a Delegation from Bethlehem University

The Public Relations Department at the University received yesterday a delegation from Bethlehem University. The delegation included Mrs. Mai Jaber, Vice Dean of the Students Affairs at Bethlehem University, Mr. Anan Taleb, Director of Students Affairs at the University, in addition to a number of student from different faculties.

Mr। Jalal Salman, a coordinator at the Public Relations Department, first spoke about An Najah University and the New Campus in particular and the many developments that it witnessed. He also stressed the importance of maintaining contact between the different Palestinian universities and to support local student exchange and communication. After that, the delegation made a visit to the New Campus, where they visited the Prince Turki Bin Abdel-Aziz Theatre, the Faculty of Arts, Hikmat Al-Masri Auditorium, and the Faculty of Physical Education. Students expressed their admiration of what the University has achieved in various areas. Finally, the delegation visited the old city of Nablus and its various monuments.


http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5915&page=1393&l=en

Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Center (ESSEC) Participates in Istanbul International Conference about Reduction of Earthquakes' Hazards

In an invitation from the Governor of Istanbul and the World Bank, Dr. Jalal Dabeek, Director of the Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Center (ESSEC) at An Najah National University and the Vice President of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Body, participated in the Istanbul International Conference titled "The Reduction of Earthquakes' Hazards" which was aimed at evaluating the Turkish experience in the field of earthquake hazards reduction and emergency preparation.

Among the participants were the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Istanbul Governor and Municipality Mayor, as well as related departments in the World Bank and the United Nations. Several institutions, international centers and a number of experts from 25 countries, including Palestine, also participated.

Dr. Dabeek mentioned that the conference comprised several topics such as: reinforcing emergency preparation capabilities through enhancing emergency communication systems, establishing information systems for emergency management, reinforcing institutions' capabilities, developing emergency response capabilities, in addition to general awareness and training. Further issues included: the reduction of earthquake hazards through reinforcing buildings such as hospitals, schools and others in order to withstand earthquakes, to consider public safety standards in the designing of buildings and the training of engineers in this respect.

Dr। Dabeek also met with representatives of international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank in respect to the reduction of earthquakes' hazards. Those institutions and the ESSEC agreed on proposing projects in the field of earthquake hazards reduction to be executed in Palestine.

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5916&page=1393&l=en

Community Service Center at the University Celebrates the Elderly

The voluntary committee, Multaqa Alkhair, of the Community Service Center at the University organized a social activity for the elderly who are involved in the Center's program, as well as their friends, and the elderly of the Red Crescent, Alwi'am House and Mother Teresa Monastery. Around 70 elderly participated in this celebration.

The activity was organized under the supervision and finance of Multaqa Alkhair voluntary committee and in cooperation with a number of local community institutions such as Alsafa Dairy Manufactory, Alarz Ice Cream Factory and the Social Affairs Directorate.

Raja' Al Bawwab, the Committee coordinator, thanked the members of Multaqa Alkhair committee, as well as the society and local community institutions for their continuous support of the Center's activities and programs, especially those that target the elderly।

http://www.najah.edu/index.php?news_id=5917&page=1393&l=en