Birzeit University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birzeit University (Arabic: جامعة بيرزيت) is a Palestinian university situated just outside the town of Bir Zeit near Ramallah. It is widely considered the foremost tertiary educational institute in the Palestinian territories and has played a significant role in Palestinian political affairs.
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[edit] Foundation and early development
The institution was originally founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir as an elementary school for girls from Bir Zeit and the surrounding villages. It was one of the first schools in the area. In 1930 it became a co-ed secondary school, and in 1932 was renamed Birzeit Higher School.
In 1942 the name was changed to Birzeit College to reflect its status as a secondary school. In 1953 a first-year university class was added to the school, followed in 1961 by a second-year class. The school thus prepared its students for the completion of their studies in other Arab universities.
[edit] Expansion to university status
In the June War of 1967 the West Bank was occupied by Israel, and travel restrictions subsequently prevented students from studying in other Arab countries as they had generally done until then. The college therefore drew up plans in 1972 to provide a programme of study up to the fourth year of university, leading to the award of a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences. It also started work on the construction of a new university campus overlooking the town of Bir Zeit.
The third-year university programme was added in 1974 and the fourth year in 1975, and the institute was then renamed "Birzeit University". In July 1976, its first graduates obtained their degrees in Arts and Science. Over the following years, a master's programme in education was added, followed by the establishment of the faculties of Commerce and Economics (1978) and Engineering (1979).
[edit] Birzeit University under Israeli rule
The Israeli authorities closed the university by military order on numerous occasions between 1973 and 1992. During the years from 1979 to 1992, the university was closed 60% of the time, including a closure of 51 months from 8 January 1988 until 29 April 1992 [1], although it continued to operate underground during that period.
More recently, movement restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities since the start of the second Palestinian intifada have caused difficulties for many students, especially those from the Gaza Strip, who have frequently been unable to travel between their homes and the university.
In total 15 people who attended the university have been killed by Israeli forces, and many more have been arrested and detained for questioning for suspected involvement with terrorist organizations such as Hamas. The person credited with advancing the technique of suicide bombing against Israelis and who served as Hamas' chief bomb maker-Yahya Ayyash-earned his degree in electrical engineering from Birzeit University. The university campus has a prominent martyrs' memorial dedicated to its killed students.
[edit] Prominent students and staff
Former students at Bir Zeit University include West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who was head of the university's student council, and Hamas bombmaker Yahya Ayyash. Its staff has included prominent Palestinian intellectual and political figures such as Hanan Ashrawi, Sari Nusseibeh, Ibrahim Abu Lughod, Elia Suleiman, and Azmi Bishara. Lecturer Nabil Khatib is frequently used as a source by major media organizations.
[edit] External links
- Official site
- A Personal Diary of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Nigel Parry, a former Birzeit University Employee
