In cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, the American Studies Resource Center and the Water and Environmental Studies Institute (WESI) at An-Najah University organized a workshop on green technology at the New Campus Library. Attendees included Professor Marwan Haddad, Director of WESI, Professor Jawad Fatayer, University President Assistant for Graduate Affairs, Dr. Ayman Nazzal, Director of the American Studies Resource Center, in addition to members of the teaching staff and students.

 The workshop was administered by Dr. Tom Callahan from the United States who delivered a presentation about green technology and biogas.

Dr. Callahan, who specializes in urban planning, spoke about the importance of energy production and natural fertilizer from household waste being a rich source of nutrients, which is an important issue to be considered when conducting urban planning. Moreover, he pointed out the necessity to achieve harmony between the environment and the human aspirations, and emphasized the importance of working on converting bio materials into biogas. He also explained the need to make use of wind energy and other alternative sources of energy and the role of the city’s culture in wasting a large percentage of positive energy found in food by following negative practices in dealing with the environment.

Dr. Callahan has worked in various fields and has adopted the green technology concept and the importance of promoting it among the people. He also believes in the importance of cooperation among human beings to create a positive and sound environment. Dr. Callahan has been involved in many urban plans through the political and environmental analysis programs and the conversion of rural data into urban one. Additionally, he always believed that recycling solid waste is the most logical method toward the creation of a sustainable technological environment that can unite humans toward achieving a common goal.

Dr. Nazzal expressed pleasure to cooperate with WESI to organize such significantly informative workshop. The cooperation program between Dr. Callahan and WESI has lasted for three years and aimed to promote and introduce the philosophy of using biogas in the Palestinian cities and villages. The units have been located in 16 Palestinian villages and the project will be concluded in Gaza.