Hisham Hijawi College of Technology graduated a new group of finalists, from the academic year 2004/2005. The ceremony took place at the College and was attended by Mr. Salah Al-Masri, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Head of the Administration Board of the College; Prof. Rami Hamdallah, University President; Dr. Mazen Rasekh, Member of the Administration Board; some representatives from local Palestinian institutions and ministries; staff and families of the graduates.
An opening speech was given by Mr. Musa Abu Dayeh, Director of Students Affairs. Mr. Masri gave a speech in which he welcomed everybody and said: “We welcome you all to another of Hisham Hiajwi’s College days. The College, as usual, is proud of its young graduates who will enrich the Palestinian market with new potential in different vocational fields”. He also expressed his admiration for the college and its students, mentioning that the young Palestinians are standing with great bravery in front of all the difficulties trying to tear us apart but that those young people are showing a great stubbornness and patience, that is growing everyday. Mr. Masri also pointed out that the College is unique in all the Palestinian Territories, since it brings new and essential studies and it was prepared and supplied with the most recent machines and apparatuses with the help of the German partners of the College GTZ, whom also provided training to the staff of the College so that they can pass on all their experience and skills to their students. At the end, he said: “Hisham Hijawi started under seriously difficult political conditions, but we sincerely hope we can continue our efforts to preserve the college as a technological base in Palestine that will always graduate pioneers in their studies."
Dr. Samer Mayaleh, Dean of the College, on his turn, mentioned that he was happy and satisfied to see the third group of finalists graduating from the College, that was first established with the help and efforts of some of this country's great men and with the support of German friends of the GTZ and KFW institutes, and also with the important role played by An-Najah National University, represented by Mr. Salah Al Masri, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Rami Hamdallah, the University President. He then talked about the different majors in the College including: Mechanical Engineering Technology, Production and Machine; Automotive Technology with Diesel Option, Vehicles; Auto-Electricity Technology; Heating Ventilation and Air–Conditioning Technology; Electro-Mechanic Engineering, Automation Technology; Electrical Installations Technology; Communications Engineering Technology; Computer Networking Technology and Internet; in addition five new majors will be opened this year including: Architecture, Graphic Design, Information Technology, Vehicles Technology and electronics and Machines and production.
Mr. Hans Beker, from the GTZ institution, said that Hisham Hijawi College is not only a jewel in Nablus, but in the region, as well as in the fields of training and vocational education. He also mentioned that the help of the German government has been a great one that has helped the college a lot and they realize that getting into the market will not be easy in these difficult political and economic circumstances.
The KFW had donated seven million Euros along with 2 million from the GTZ; all that was for getting better equipment, making better preparations for the college, to train and qualify the teachers and establish the curricula. He added that without the university’s co-operation this marvelous project wouldn’t have succeeded, were it not for the efforts of the university administration and academic staff.
At the end of the ceremony Fayez Eissa gave a speech on behalf of all the graduates; he thanked the university and all the mothers and fathers who had given a lot to see their children finish their education. Finally, the students made the adjuration for the graduates and then the university choir