On August 23^rd, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah University, received in his office at the Old Campus His Excellency Dr. Leonhard Moll, Representative of Austria to the Palestinian National Authority. Attendees included Prof. Maher Abu Eid, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Sam Alfoqahaa, Director of the Public Relations Department at the University.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Hamdallah welcomed the Representative to the University and valued his visit which is considered the first to An-Najah. He also presented to him the latest developments at An-Najah both on the academic and architectural levels that have been achieved over the last years. Moreover, the President spoke about the high ranks that the University has obtained recently such as those given by the Webometrics (The Ranking Web of World Universities) according to which An-Najah was ranked first in Palestine and seventh in the Arab world from among 700 universities that were covered by the ranking. In addition to being listed among the first 5% of the 22,000 different universities and educational institutions that were included in the ranking.

A short documentary was presented which summarized the University’s history, establishment and the different phases of development and growth it witnessed over the years. In addition, Prof. Hamdallah familiarized Dr. Moll with the different faculties and study fields that the University offers to its students as well as the vital role that its scientific centers play in serving the local society. Additionally, Prof. Hamdallah praised and welcomed the continuous support of the Palestinian National Authority by Austria especially its support of higher education.

He also emphasized the University’s concern and interest in deepening and developing its relationships with other Austrian universities in the various fields of life especially the educational field which is of great importance to the Palestinian people.

Dr. Moll expressed his pleasure and honor to visit An-Najah and said the Austrian Representation is committed to encouraging and promoting mutual cooperation and understanding between Austrian and Palestinian universities in different fields especially the educational and academic ones.

At the end of his visit, Dr. Moll received a souvenir from Prof. Hamdallah in appreciation of his visit to the University.