Dr. Ithar Bishtawi from An-Najah National University represents Palestine by joining the Scientific Committee of the World Council of Optometry.
In an international academic achievement that reflects the presence of Palestinian expertise in the global scientific forums, Dr. Ithar Bishtawi, Head of the Optometry Department at An-Najah National University, has joined the scientific committee of the World Council of Optometry, the leading international body responsible for setting global standards for education standards and professional practice in the field of optometry.
This appointment comes as a culmination of Dr. Bishtawi’s significant scientific career, as she has been selected among a select group of international academics and experts to contribute to the development of scientific programs, review academic initiatives, and setting the regulatory frameworks governing the education and practice of optometry in line with international criteria. This reflects the global confidence in her academic expertise and her leadership role in advancing the field.
It is worth noting that the World Council of Optometry, established in 1927, is a non-profit international organization whose membership includes academic and professional institutions, regulatory bodies, and individuals from over one hundred countries. The Council plays a pivotal role in promoting evidence-based professional practice, developing optometry education policies, and strengthening eye care within primary healthcare systems worldwide.
This achievement also carries an additional institutional dimension, as An-Najah National University has been a member of the World Council of Optometry since 2005, thanks to pioneering efforts led by Dr. Khairiya Rassas, Vice President of the University for Global Partnerships and Initiatives, and President of the UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union. These efforts have strengthened the University’s presence within the international academic community and enabled its staff to actively participate in global initiatives and programs.
Dr. Bishtawi’s selection represents a qualitative step that highlights the ability of Palestinian academics to compete on the international stage and confirms their genuine contribution to advancing education and professional practice in optometry at both regional and global levels.
An-Najah National University has expressed its pride in this distinguished achievement, emphasizing that Dr. Bishtawi’s membership in the scientific committee of the World Council of Optometry embodies the University’s academic excellence and reflects its ongoing support for staff engagement in international scientific institutions, thereby enhancing the Palestinian presence academically and professionally on the global stage.
