The French Consul General in Jerusalem Mr. Alain Rémy made an official visit to An-Najah University in his first trip to the city of Nablus after receiving his responsibilities as the new Consul General in Palestine. Mr. Rémy was accompanied by Counselor Mr. Bernard Fillion Dufouleur, the Attachée for the French Language Mrs. Fatima Le Cour Grandmaison, and the Attaché for Academic Affairs Mr. Jean-Pierre Poncet, as well as the Director of the French Cultural Center in Nablus MS Marianne Poche.
The French diplomats met with An-Najah University President Prof. Rami Hamdallah who briefed them about the latest developments of the university and the future projects in the new campus as well as the latest academic achievements in the field of research. He also praised the unique relationship the university has with the French consulate especially the efforts it is expending to develop An-Najah French Department. Discussions for future cooperation focused on the initiation of joint research projects between Palestinian and French academicians, and the sending of emissaries from An-Najah to complete their studies in the fields of civil law, medicine, nursing, and optometry.
The delegation also held a meeting with the staff of the French department and listened to ideas and suggestions for development and the helping role that the consulate can play.
Two exhibitions were opened by both the General Consul of France and the University President. The first exhibition was about water resources showing posters about waterborne diseases and water quality as well as the importance of water and its distribution across the globe. The second exhibition was about the City of Nablus in the Ottoman period till the 1920s. Unique photos of the old city and its people were displayed. Photos showed the traditional daily life of Nablus and depicted the cultural heritage and architectural designs of the old city buildings. Students and faculty members of the University were fascinated by the images which revealed what their city looked like in the early 20th century.