On Wednesday, Feb. 27^th, Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, visited An-Najah's seismic monitoring station, a division of the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit and the Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Unit.  

Ms. Wahlstrom’s visit to the station, located in Al-Oja – Jericho, came as part of the recent cooperation between An-Najah University and the United Nations in launching a disaster risk mitigation project in Palestine. Dr. Jalal Dabeek and Dr. Ayman Muhsen hosted Ms. Wahlstrom during her visit to the seismic monitoring station.

Dr. Jalal Dabeek, Director of An-Najah’s Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center, gave an overview of the University’s scientific centers and provided in-depth information about the activities and work of the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center. Speaking about An-Najah’s seismic monitoring station, Dr. Dabeek noted that the station would be linked to the International Network for Seismic Monitoring. He also indicated the station will participate in campaigns to raise disaster awareness through publications, awareness programs, and related trainings and courses.

Dr. Muhsen presented a detailed explanation about the station, its departments, and its mission. The station was established in May 2012 and currently has the capacity to record global, regional, and local seismic events. In April 2013, radon devices will be installed and the station will be connected to satellites and GPS technology.