On January 24^th, a cooperation agreement was signed between the University and the Welfare Association in Palestine. The agreement, which was funded by Al-Noor Foundation and Al-Fadhl Institution, aimed at establishing a special institute for the mental and health development of children with special needs. The new institute will participate in developing child development sector in Palestine through providing a qualified medical stuff, and securing a suitable atmosphere for research in this field.

The agreement was signed by the University President, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, Dr. Tafida Jarbawi, Deputy Director-General at the Welfare Association, as well as Mr. Tareq Hatem Al-Zu’bi as representative of Al-Noor Foundation and Al-Fadhl Institution. According to the agreement, an amount of 1,980,000 dollars were allocated to the establishment of a specialized institute that would provide adequate medical care for children with special needs.

Prof. Hamdallah thanked Al-Fadhll Institution and Al-Noor Foundation represented by Mr. Hatem Al Zo’bi and his son Tareq for funding the project. He also thanked the Welfare Association for signing the agreement and emphasized the importance of this step which will serve the Palestinian people and contribute to the University’s efforts to establish and develop the new Teaching Hospital at the Faculty of Medicine.

Mr. Tareq expressed his pleasure for signing the agreement and said “Al Noor Foundation and Al Fadhl Institution are always there to help in projects that seek to serve the local people, especially children, and supporting all the noble efforts in that respect”.

Dr. Jarbawi said she was happy to sign this agreement with the University since it will serve one of the most important developmental sectors in Palestine, which is the health sector. The agreement will also serve children with special needs in particular. She added that this project is the first of its kind in Palestine and it will be implemented by a group of special international institutions.