Under the patronage of H.E. President Mahmud Abbas, the University celebrated its 27^th commencement as 1,700 students graduated from the different faculties, receiving their undergraduate and masters degrees. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Azzam Al-Ahmad, Vice Prime Minister and Representative of President Mahmud Abbas, Dr. Sameer Abu Eisheh, Minister of Planning and Acting of the Minister of Education, Dr. Ali Sartawi, Minister of Justice, Mr. Muneeb Masri, the well known Palestinian businessman and donor of the Faculty of Engineering as well as other members of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, PLO, and the dignitaries of the city and its varying sects.
Mr. Salah Masri, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, spoke to the audience about the history of the University and praised the efforts of the old generation that sacrificed for the university’s prosperity. He also talked about the siege imposed against the city of Nablus by the Israeli occupation but did not manage to put an end to the university’s operations.
Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of the University spoke about the importance of education for the Palestinian community. He mentioned that the graduates are the fruit of the effort and achievements of all of those who helped them succeed. He noted some of the latest developments of the University in areas such as quality assurance accreditation, awards, construction of the new faculties and the latest international twinnings signed by the university.
Mr. Azzam Al-Ahmad, Vice Prime Minister, Representative of President Mahmud Abbas congratulated the graduates and saluted the university’s efforts in providing the Palestinian community with such highly skilled graduates.
Dr. Sameer Abu Eisheh, Minister of Planning and Acting Deputy of the Minister of Education called graduates to be representatives for their homeland and expressed his appreciation for the university’s efforts. He also noted that it recently received high scores from the United Nations Developments Program’s (UNDP) evaluation and managed to establish even more academic programs and faculties. Engineer Jafar Tuqan was awarded the University Plaque for his efforts in designing the university’s new campus.