Dr. Rassas is the first woman President and the first Arab/Palestinian.

UNIMED is a network of Higher Education and Research Institutions, active in promoting academic cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region and in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the Middle East and in Western Balkans. Founded in 1991, in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the network has grown over the years counting today 153 universities and research centers from 25 countries. Through the many initiatives carried out over 30 years, UNIMED has promoted the collaboration between universities of the Mediterranean and MENA region, becoming a point of reference of international university cooperation.

Dr. Rassas was previously Personal Advisor to former Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah, where she made a mark in fostering mutually beneficial international relations. Locally, she successfully introduced the Public Health Law, Bioequivalence Law, Organ Transplant law, Medical Malpractice and Safety Law, Women's civil rights law amendments and commenced the process to introduce Autism and Special needs laws.

Prior to that, she obtained acknowledgement for her various roles as an eye care practitioner in clinics and hospitals as well as at An Najah National University as an academic, dean, and founder of the first Optometry College in Palestine, and during the coronavirus pandemic establishing the only Global Health Institute in Palestine. 

Dr. Rassas, who is also multilingual, currently sits on the Board of Trustees of An Najah National University Hospital.

In 2005, Dr Rassas received an award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II decorated as Serving Sister, MStJ Grade V, for establishing the community eye health program in Palestine, and thereafter in 2021, she was knighted by the French president Emmanuel Macron the rank of Knight (Chevalier) of France's National Order of Merit, for promoting French- Palestinian relations at the governmental, educational and private sector levels. 

On accepting the presidency, Dr. Rassas said - “During my three-year term as President of UNIMED, I aim to introduce fresh insights and solid perspectives, building on the achievements of UNIMED and working with all its personnel.”