An-Najah Receives H.E Mr. Pierre Cochard, the Consul general of France in Jerusalem
On Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019, Professor Maher Natsheh, Acting President of An-Najah University and Dr. Kherieh Rassas, An-Najah’s Vice President for International Development and External Affairs hosted H.E Mr. Pierre Cochard, Consul General of the French Consulate General Jerusalem to promote mutual cooperation in the field of academia between An-Najah and French universities.
Professor Maher Natsheh thanked Mr. Cochard and commended the Consulate's role in creating ties and facilitating academic exchanges between An-Najah and French universities.
He briefed Mr. Cochard on An-Najah's history, academic development, and programs as well as the various specializations it offers, and its scientific centers. He also talked about the financial and political obstacles that higher education in Palestine faces in terms of attracting international students and staff to Palestinian universities.
In turn, Dr. Rassas welcomed the guest and mentioned that many of An-Najah's professors benefited from French scholarship programs and got their PhD degrees from French universities.
Finally, Professor Natsheh stated that the university always aspires to reinforce cooperation and academic relations with French universities. He also explained the University's efforts to promote French Language by offering a French Minor and French elective courses and expressed An-Najah’s appreciation of the French Consulate’s consistent support.
Mr. Cochard thanked Professor Natsheh and Dr. Rassas for their hospitality and expressed how impressed they are with An-Najah and its French Department. He also talked about their wish to reinforce education cooperation. He commended the current cooperation through the Winter School of HEP and exchanges especially in the science field.
He also commended An-Najah’s role as a leading university in Palestine and the distinct academic relations it has with institutions around the world. Then he expressed the Consulate's deep interest in developing its relationships with the University and said that the consulate is ready to offer assistance for university students and staff members to pursue their higher education at French universities.
After the meeting, the delegation was taken on a tour of the New Campus, including the Media Center and Museum (located in the Faculty of Fine Arts) to learn more about the University's facilitates, services and infrastructure.
Thereafter, a number of An-Najah’s faculty staff gave presentations on the various projects funded by Al-Maqdisi program in the fields of chemistry, medicine, microbiology and engineering.
During their visit, the delegation visited the French Department and met with a number of its faculty staff and students to learn about the several activities held at the Department in cooperation with the French Consulate. Moreover, the delegation was briefed about the various specializations and programs offered by the French Department. The delegation commended the academic efficiency of the Department's students and teachers.
The delegation was also invited to attend a special French-Palestinian Hip Hop dance performance by Stereo 48 and Pokemon Crew entitled ”Empreinte”. The ceremony was hosted by An-Najah University and held at the Prince Turkey Bin Abdel-Aziz Theatre in the New Campus.
Notes:
The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Nawal BENZMOURI, Attachée for university cooperation, Mr. Jean-Marie JESPERE, Attaché for educational cooperation, Mr. Pierre CHEVALIER, Deputy Director of the French Institute, Dr. Mohammad El-Amleh, VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Rasha Khayyat, Scholarships Coordinator at An-Najah and Alumni and Beneficiary of Al-Maqdisi Program, Miss Hadeel Al-Hadadeh, Acting Director of the Public Relations Department and the International Office at An-Najah.