On February 22^nd, the Water and Environmental Studies Institute (WESI) at the University and the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem organized a launching ceremony for the Dr. Fadia Daibes Scholarship Fund which will offer students the opportunity to pursue their higher studies in the field of environmental studies.

The ceremony was held at the Training Room at the New Campus Library. Attendees included Mr. Frank Finver, U.S. Consul for Press and Public Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General, Prof. Maher Abu Eid, University Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Marwan Haddad, Director of the Water and Environmental Studies Institute (WESI), in addition to more than 70 students and professors.

The Consulate General announced a number of scholarships to honor seven students in the Master degree program in environmental studies at An-Najah. The Consulate General offered those scholarships under the name “Dr. Fadia Daibes Murad Scholarship in Water and Environmental Studies” as well as “David Scott Smith Scholarship for Renewable Energy Studies”. These scholarships are part of other scholarships that were presented to the University to help it promote the use of renewable energy in the different parts of Palestine.

In the launching ceremony, Prof. Abu Eid welcomed the attendants and spoke about the importance of environmental studies in Palestine and highlighted the University’s concern with such studies. Professor Haddad described the accomplishments and contributions of both Dr. Daibes and the environmental expert, David Scott to the field of water, environment and renewable energy studies and research work.

He also pointed out the importance of these fields in Palestine and the role of the WESI in developing and implementing projects in this respect. On his part, Mr. Finver spoke about the relationship between the U.S. Consulate General and An-Najah. “Through these scholarships the U.S Consulate and An-Najah University have developed a partnership that would encourage excellence in the field of environmental sciences through education, research and social awareness”. Mr. Finver informed.

Mr. Finver also praised Professor Haddad’s work and efforts in leading many environmental initiatives such as the biogas reactor project which he completed with the American expert in environment and urban planning, Dr. Thomas Culhane. Professor Haddad expressed his gratitude to the Consulate General and valued its support of the University. He also assured that the University is committed to encouraging and promoting environmental studies in Palestine.

Dr. Daibes was a social scientist and activist from Jerusalem; she worked on encouraging the building of institutions and their capabilities in the field of environmental and social sciences. Dr. Daibes was globally recognized and well-known for adopting environment protection concept as a means of creating a co-existence between different nations in the Middle East. On the academic level, she accomplished a number of written works that were published in books, theses and scientific journals.

David Scott Smith is an American inventor and scientist in the field of environmental research; he has worked at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

The United States President, Barak Obama, had participated in the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009 where he emphasized the United States’ commitment towards leading the international efforts with respect to environment protection. Therefore, as part of this commitment expressed by the President, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem offered help to a number of Palestinian universities through programs that support students, professors and local environmental activists in their quest to create innovative means to improve and protect the environment in Palestine.