Prof. Rami Hamdallah, the University's President, received in his office at the Old Campus in Nablus today an Italian delegation representing a number of Italian civil society organizations headed by Mrs. Luisa Morgintini, Vice President of the European Parliament.  The Italian delegation is visiting Palestine to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Prof. Hamdallah, in his welcoming remarks, appreciated the role of the European Union and the European civil society institutions through which they support the Palestinian people and Palestinian institutions on various levels.  He added that this support is important to achieve just and lasting peace in the Middle East according to the international resolutions.

Prof. Hamdallah also briefed the delegation on the University's history and its various academic and community programs.  He noted that the investment in higher education is an important and vital investment for the development of the Palestinian people.  Prof. Hamdallah said that An-Najah has several cooperation agreements with European universities and academic institutions with the objective to enhance cooperation, understanding, and dialogue through exchanging and sharing of experiences as well as conducting joint scientific research projects.

Prof. Hamdallah also talked about the Universities' achievements on several levels, such as opening the University's Sport Complex in the New Campus and the Teaching Hospital project which will contribute in developing the health sector and training students majoring in human medicine in Palestine.

Mrs. Morgtini expressed her delight to be at An-Najah and meeting its president.  She expressed her appreciation for the great role of the University in serving Palestinian generations.  She said that the University has developed through hard times and it also has reached important achievements which shows the dedication and high potentials of the Palestinian people.

She said that the visit's message is to show solidarity with the Palestinian people from the Italian civil society organizations.  She pointed out that more delegations will come to Palestine to witness the situation on ground in Palestine.  Following the meeting, the delegation visited the New Campus and toured its different facilities.