The Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge, London hosted a unique and unprecedented event that was attended by elite politicians, intellectuals, researchers and media men in a grand honorary ceremony that was held specifically to honor An-Najah University and its administration who came to the United Kingdom to gather support for the University.

The ceremony started with the Palestinian Anthem followed by a speech by Mr. Sabih Al-Masri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at An-Najah. Prof. Hamdallah then delivered a speech in which he spoke about An-Najah’s needs and status being Palestine’s first university and the hub for knowledge and heritage in the country. He also explained the University’s concerns regarding the significant increase in the population which in turn translates into an ever increasing number in students who apply to the University. This reality makes responding to the new waves of students quite a challenge.

His Excellency Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian Ambassador/General Delegate to the UK and the Professor of International Politics and Relations, stressed the fact that An-Najah has been credited for creating a strong Palestinian civil society that has taken upon itself fighting the Israeli occupation. He stated that more than 200,000 students are currently studying at the different Palestinian universities and expressed his pride of the Palestinian graduates who made it to the various countries of the world where they excelled and made distinguished achievements. He explained that for the University to continue its noble message and progress, support must be gathered from the different countries with which it holds cooperation and friendship ties.

A distinguished guest in the meeting was the renowned Arab and international surgeon and physician, Sir Magdi Yacoub, a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Imperial College London. Sir Yacoub delivered a speech about scientific research and the success of An-Najah University in which he said that the Palestinian people who experienced difficult and challenging conditions over many years because of the Israeli occupation were able to overcome the difficulties through committing themselves to three basic elements: Human values, meaning that the Palestinians are humans and have rights like other human beings, science which enables a nation to achieve dignity, knowledge and freedom, and finally hard work and persistence which is necessary to achieve the desired goals and objectives.

In the ceremony also, a documentary was screened which described An-Najah and its status in Palestine, as well as its pioneering role in the daily political and economical life of the Palestinians. Additionally, the film described the University’s recent ranking by the Webometrics (Ranking Web of World Universities) which ranked it first in Palestine, fifth in the Arab world and number 1160 globally.

The film also summarized the history of An-Najah from its very first beginnings back in 1918 when it started as a school under the name “An-Najah School” and through 1941 when it became An-Najah College offering Diploma degree, then in 1965 when it started to offer the intermediate university degrees in various fields of study. In 1977, An-Najah was transformed into a full-fledged university starting with two faculties, Arts and Science; however, it is now home to 16 different faculties with 72 Bachelor Degree programs, 42 Master Degree programs including one PhD program in Chemistry, as well as 21 Diploma programs and wide variety of scientific centers that offer many services to the Palestinian society in various fields of life.

Moreover, the documentary introduced the audience to the University’s Teaching Hospital which is currently under construction and which represents a vital contribution to the field of medicine in Palestine as it offers unique and advanced medical and health services to the public. The Hospital will be the first of its kind to be established in Palestine which combines both practical training for medicine students studying at An-Najah and the delivery of advanced medical services to the people.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, An-Najah’s administration delegation honored Sir Yacoub through a special plaque presented by the University’s students. The University also honored Mrs. Ghada Hammad who has contributed greatly to the organization and preparation of the event.

Others honored at the ceremony included Mrs. Sana’ Aloul, Head of the Palestinian community in London for her support of the ceremony, Mr. Riyad Kamal a key donor and supporter of An-Najah, as well as His Excellency Manuel Hassassian.

An auction was organized to raise money for An-Najah’s Teaching Hospital at the end of which one million and four hundred thousand USDs were raised thanks to the generous donations by the attendants.

As part of the event, Prof. Hamdallah signed a twinning agreement with the University of Abertay Dundee in Scotland, represented by its President, Dr. Phillip Collier.