Water and Environmental Studies Institute (WESI)

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1. Oversee and manage the two master programs offered at An-Najah National University. The two programs are the M.Sc. Degree in Water and Environmental Engineering and the M.Sc. Degree in Environmental Sciences.

2. Develop the curricula of the two master programs in line with national needs.

3. Develop research plans and priorities to highlight the water and environmental problems in Palestine and the methods of solving them.

4. Conduct all laboratory tests needed by the community on water, wastewater, soil, air and plants.

5. Act as a technology and know-how transfer base for water and environmental aspects through:-

   1. Scientific library that includes a water and an environment data bank for Palestine and the neighboring countries.

   2. Publish periodical public awareness leaflets and publications to educate the public and raise its environmental awareness.

   3. Hold seminars, workshops, lectures and technical training courses to raise awareness and introduce know-how.

   4. Prepare mathematical and numerical simulation models to solve water and environmental problems both at the national and international levels.

   5. Strengthen the partnership with the Palestinian Authority institutions through long-term agreements.

   6. Offer consultancy services to the Palestinian National Authority in the area of studying, reviewing, evaluating, monitoring, supervising and designing projects and plans related to water resources and other environmental issues. WESI will also offer consultancy to local as well as international development organizations in preparing feasibility studies and evaluating existing or future projects and research.

A. Master Degree Programs (The Academic Mission)

Water is constantly in the news. Sustainability is a much –discussed concept. Yet few people know how to link the two in a technically sound manner. If you would like to join the few who have this capability, then our postgraduate programs are just for you.

The WESI has the largest postgraduate programs in the field of water and environmental engineering in Palestine. Established in 1991, our Water and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sciences Groups have long enjoyed an international reputation for excellence. Together they have more than 30 staffers, all of whom are committed to both graduate and undergraduate teaching and research.

1. Master of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering

An-Najah University, through the Water and Environmental Studies Institute, has offered since 1991/1992, a master’s degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. The program was established in 1991/1992 and was offered through the College of Engineering. This program is divided into two sub-programs. The first one is water engineering, in which the candidate concentrates on hydrology, hydraulics and water resources and management issues. The second is environmental engineering where the candidate covers areas in water and wastewater treatment and reuse, pollution, control of environmental elements including water, wastewater, solid waste, soil, air, and other environmentally related elements.

The overall program is 36 credit hours. Each candidate has to take 10 graduate level courses (30 credits), and to do a research thesis (6 credits).

                                    1A- Compulsory courses (18 hours)

                                    1B- Elective courses (12 hours)

                                    1b1. Elective courses in Water Engineering

                                1b2. Elective courses in Environmental Engineering

The laboratories and facilities at WESI, as well as at Chemistry and Biology departments, are also used for demonstration and research.

2. Master of Science in Environmental Sciences

An-Najah University, through the WESI, has offered, since 1996/1997, a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences. This program is multidisciplinary and is designed in such a way that an interested individual, with B.Sc. degree, can enter the program and benefit from it. The program covers areas of general environmental sciences, public health and sanitation, diseases, environmental protection and preservation of wild and animal life, water environment, housing environment, wastewater treatment and reuse, pollution control of environmental elements including water, waste water, solid waste, soil, air, and other environmentally related elements.

The overall program is 36 credit hours. Each candidate has to take 10 graduate level courses (30 credit), and to do a research thesis (6 credit).

                                        2a- Compulsory courses (18 hours)

                                    2b- Elective courses (12 hours)

                                    2b1. Elective courses in Biological and Agriculture Sciences

                                    2b2. Elective courses in Natural Sciences

                            2b3. Elective courses in Environmental Engineering

The laboratories and facilities at WESI and Chemistry and Biology departments are also used for demonstration and research.

B. Research Mission

1. Staff Resources

The WESI chief asset is its research team of some thirty highly qualified staff, drawn from a range of disciplines including engineering, agriculture, mathematics, environmental sciences and computing. This breadth emphasizes both the requirements of environmental change impact modeling and the laboratory expertise in all aspects of the development and application of advanced modeling systems. Line management is achieved through program area leaders who, with the director, have amassed considerable experience in undertaking interdisciplinary projects, international collaborative research, technology transfer projects, and major international contracts. The director and program area leaders are all full-time academic staffers at An-Najah National University.

The table below shows the main staff involved in research and teaching activities with WESI: