February 16^th. As part of the mutual cooperation between An-Najah University and the University of Rennes 2 in France, Prof. Maher Abu Eid, An-Najah Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Ali Abdul Hamid, Head of the Center for Urban and Regional  Planning at the University, visited the city of Rennes in France last week along with a Palestinian delegation that included Dr. Khalid Qawasmi, Palestinian Minister of Local Government, Dr. Tawfiq Budeiri, Assistant Undersecretary  for Planning and Engineering Affairs at the Ministry, and Mrs. Nisreen Shaheen, Executive Director-Rawabi Institution-Bayti Real Estate Investment Company.

The visit aimed to reinforce the relationship with the French side as part of the cooperation agreement that was signed between An-Najah and Rennes on one hand, and the other cooperation agreement that was signed a year ago between the two universities and Bayti Real Estate Investment Company on the other. The latter aimed at exchanging information and experience, training students, preparing projects and conducting mutual research in the field of urban planning.

The delegation also visited the University and Municipality of Rennes and the different centers of urban planning; they were also introduced to the many housing projects designed according to the standards of green and environmentally-aware architecture, as well as the social housing projects for those with limited income. In addition to this, the delegation visited the Water Treatment Station and many historical buildings and landmarks in the city.

During the visit, the delegation discussed the possible ways to reinforce academic cooperation, exchange and scholarships between An-Najah and Rennes. It also explored the ways of building and maintaining cooperation with the Municipality of Rennes, transfer of technical experience, rehabilitation and training of Palestinian staff working at the Ministry of Local Government and providing technical support for developmental projects in the field of urban planning.

The Palestinian side represented by the Ministry of Local Government, An Najah University and Bayti Company will follow up on the outcomes of the visit with the French side to identify the areas of the anticipated mutual cooperation activities and devise a time plan to carry out those activities.