Friends of Bethlehem University - Ireland (FBUI)

I. History
The Friends of Bethlehem University in Ireland (FBUI), established the Bethlehem University Irish Foundation in February 2008 with the mission:

“….to assist Bethlehem University by establishing an academic co-operation programme with the Irish university world, and thereby to assist in the overall development of the international programmes of all the universities involved.” *
*Click here to read the entire mission statement of the Bethlehem University Irish Foundation.

The Foundation was launched in Newman House in Newman House in Dublin by Dr. Garret Fitzgerald, Chancellor of the National University of Ireland and former Taoiseach. Participating in the launch were Br. Robert Smith, interim Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University and Dr. Irene Hazou, Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Letters of support were received from His Eminence Seán Brady, Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh and from Dr. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland.

II. Purpose
The purpose of the Bethlehem University Irish Foundation (BUFI), launched on 14 February 2008 in Newman House, Dublin, Ireland, is:

1. to promote the establishment of teaching, research and other academic co-operative links,
2. to explore opportunities for collaboration in student mobility under the European Union ERASMUS MUNDUS and in other student oriented programmes,
3. to discuss the possibility for joint Masters or other degree programmes supported by the European Union, and
4. to examine the various university administrative structures for such programmes as research development, e-learning, international development studies, etc.

Following the launch of the Foundation, a number of academic developments linking Bethlehem University with Irish universities were proposed. The following visits of BU staff to Ireland have already taken place and have been fully funded by the Foundation:

• Dr. Mu’men Badarin, Arabic Department - Participation in English language course in University College Dublin
• Ms. Nabila Daqqaq, Social Sciences Department - Attended the AHEAD conference in National University of Ireland - Maynooth to move forward in work with disabled students.
• Ms. Mai Jaber, Assistant Dean of Students - Attended the AHEAD conference in National University of Ireland - Maynooth
• Dr. Norma Hazboun, Social Sciences Departmen - Educational visit to further work on School of Communication, Dublin City University, Des McGuinness
• Ms. Dina Awwad - Educational visit to further work on Student/Faculty Right to Education and Student Ambassadors and Communications and Public Relations Staff Development
• Mr. Danny Glenwright - Student/Faculty Right to Education and Student Ambassadors Communications and Public Relations Staff Development