On September 20^th, the Quality Assurance Unit at An-Najah University held a welcome meeting for the new teachers who joined the University’s staff recently. Attendees included: Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah, Prof. Maher Abu Eid, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sa’ed Al-Koni, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Allam Mousa, President Assistant for Planning, Development and Quality Assurance, Dr. Sam Alfoqahaa, Director of the Public Relations Department, Mr. Asem Al-Hanbali, Director of the Human Resources Department, Mr. Najeh Abu Safeyyeh, Director of the Computer Lab, in addition to Faculties’ Deans and the new teachers.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Hamdallah welcomed the new teachers who joined the University in the academic year (2011-2012) and wished them a successful and pleasant work at the University. He also hoped they will take their part in the development and building process that the University undergoes. Furthermore, he spoke about the future strategic plan that the University is currently adopting which aims to build the next generation of employees.

Prof. Hamdallah also spoke about the advanced academic level that the University has reached which is evident through the different unique ranks it received lately such as those by the Webometrics which ranked the University first in Palestine and seventh in the Arab world, as well as being listed among the first 5% universities internationally from among 20,000 universities that were covered by the ranking.

Moreover, he described the University’s role in serving education in Palestine and its contribution to the development of this sector through sending many students to pursue their higher study at the various top universities worldwide. In addition to this, he emphasized the importance of scientific research as a main field of investment for the University which grants different motivations to researchers who publish their studies in referred scientific journals. He also urged the new teachers to make scientific research a priority in their academic life and focus on modern teaching methods in their classes.

Additionally, Prof. Hamdallah spoke about the new Teaching Hospital which is under-construction currently and mentioned that a number of sections of the first phase will be inaugurated during the next year. Moreover, he explained the University’s policy in reconstructing a number of faculties such as the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, in addition to the restructuring of the scientific centers in order to increase performance.

Prof. Abu Eid spoke about the academic side related to the teachers’ work at the University and emphasized the necessity to provide academic education and instruction with high standards and to focus on using modern teaching methods inside the class. Dr. Mousa spoke about the Quality Assurance Unit, its policy and the different quality programs it has, in addition to the semester and annual reports of courses, programs and faculties.

At the end of the meeting, the new teachers discussed with the President the different academic issues and had their questions answered.