Under the Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano, An-Najah participates at the Congress of Euro-Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) held in Reggio di Calabria, Italy between 15/16 January, 2009. President Assistant for International Affairs, delivered a speech on the theme of: The challenges that face southern Euro-Mediterranean Universities: Ideas for Development. President Assistant for Strategic and International Affairs talked about internationalization of academia focusing on the disparities that have emerged between the North and South, and how despite that, An-Najah has benefited greatly from a plethora of international initiatives enabling it to reach universal academic standards through technical, academic and infrastructural developments.She underscored two interlinking problems: First, is the lack of human resources which has occurred through the international movement of academics and students culminating in a dearth of qualified persons to help implement the standards set by the globalization process. Secondly, the learning of English and the difficulties we have in achieving the standards set by other universities and the global community as a whole. President Assistant for Strategic and International Affairs encouraged positive solutions to the ever increasing North-South divide. In regards to human resources she recommended implementing agreements with staff and students to ensure their return from foreign visits, continuing to use and encourage the role of international organizations and funding agencies, and when visits are not an option establishing communication links through other forms of media. As for English language development, President Assistant for Strategic and International Affairs recommended encouraging a continuation of English language training for the local community at large, implementing further English modules at the university, establishing a unified IELTS programme, encouraging universities to show flexibility in their testing, and placing greater emphasis on pre-university language courses.
In conclusion, President Assistant for Strategic and International Affairs stated that it is not only important that institutions in the North recognize the needs of those in the South, but also that relations between the North and South develop in order to create a sphere of influence.