Mr. Alfonso Manuel Portales, Spanish Consul General at the Spanish Consulate General in Jerusalem, expressed his impression by the level of advancement An-Najah University has achieved locally and internationally in various fields during his visit to the University on March 7^th where he met with Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah.

During the visit Prof. Hamdallah welcomed Mr. Portales to An-Najah and thanked him for his interest and wished him success in his new mission in Palestine. Attendees to the meeting included President Assistant for Strategic and International Affairs, and Dr. Sam Alfoqahaa, Director of the Public Relations Department at An-Najah.

Moreover, the President familiarized the Consul General with the University, its phases of development, the different faculties and academic programs it has, and its vital role to serving the local society. He also praised the Spanish support provided to the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people in the different fields especially higher education.

Furthermore, Prof. Hamdallah emphasized the University’s concern with developing its relationships with other universities. Additionally, the two sides discussed the prospects of cooperation between the University and the Consulate General.

Prof. Hamdallah also pointed out that there are several issues that can be discussed with the Spanish Consulate especially in the field of energy explaining that the Spanish Government has provided support in the past in this regard such as the Atoof Village Lighting Project and Aumnaizel village.

Moreover, he spoke about the importance of higher education to the Palestinian people, in addition to the new Teaching Hospital which is currently under construction. He also hoped that cooperation agreements would be held between the Teaching Hospital and the different hospitals in Spain.

In return, Mr. Portales thanked Prof. Hamdallah for hospitality and assured that Spain will continue to support the rights of the Palestinian people on all levels and in the different fields. He added that his country seeks to establish strong and unique relationships with Palestine.

Mr. Portales also congratulated the President on the success that An-Najah has achieved locally and internationally and expressed his willingness to work hard in order to create cooperation prospects between An-Najah and the various Spanish universities.