In its widest sense, the purpose of Bethlehem University is to serve the people of the West Bank , East Jerusalem , and the Gaza Strip as a post-secondary center of learning and for the advancement, preservation, dissemination and utilization of knowledge. The University's highest aspiration is to imbue the minds and hearts of its students and alumni with knowledge in a spirit of understanding, ethical vision, and universally esteemed moral principles, preparing them for leadership positions of service to their communities. Striving to be responsive to the needs of society and accessible to promising students, in addition to the research and service programs of the University, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, post-graduate diplomas, continuing education certificates, and professional diplomas are also offered.
Date Founded: October 1973, First University founded in the West Bank
Geographic Service Area: The Holy Land : West Bank , East Jerusalem , Gaza , Palestine and Jordan
Address:
Temporary Mailing Address due to current socio-political situation
Traditional Mailing Address (currently not reliably useable, due to current socio-political situation):
Full Cost of Education per student per year: $3,600
Average Tuition Fee per student per year: $1,200 (60% of which is funded by scholarship donations)
Beyond the tuition fees, over 50% of operating budget is generated by funding grants, research projects, gifts and donations
USA Tax-Exempt Status: The University is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization in the United States (Tax ID # 22-2997011). In the 2006 edition of the Official Catholic Directory , Bethlehem University is listed on page 1592, Column 3 under the heading "Christian Brothers Conference" and the section "Properties owned and or sponsored: Bethlehem University of the Holy Land, P.O. Box 9, Bethlehem, via Israel (Incorporated in the State of New Jersey)."
Provides training and services in videography for the community and the University (Est. 2003)
Hereditary Research Laboratory of the Life Science Department (HRL)
Medical and Public Health Practical Application Research
Student and Community Research Training
National Genome Strategic Resource Laboratory
Large Scale DNA Sequencing and Computational Genomics
Skin, Hearing Loss, Anemia, and Breast Cancer
University Library and Pontifical Mission Library
Serving Bethlehem University Academic Community and other Palestinian Universities
Serving the Local Community
Access to 96,768 volumes (37,173 in English, 30,625 in Arabic, and 2,960 in French, Spanish and German)
Center for Electronic Journals
Digital Media Center and Audio-Visual Center
Digital Video Conferencing Facilities
Academic Resources for Students with Special Needs (visual, audio and mobility impairments)
Turathuna – The Palestinian Cultural Heritage Center
More books per student (17.2 books per student) than all other Palestinian universities (with 8.2 to one being the average at the other Palestinian universities)
Hosting the Pontifical Mission Library with a collection of 27,000, books, magazines and other electronic media in Arabic, English, French, Spanish and German for adults and children from Bethlehem and the neighboring areas.
Center for Advanced Studies and Research in International Cooperation and Development
Support from the University of Pavia and University of Siena in Italy, the University College Dublin in Ireland, and Nijmegen University in The Netherlands
Common Research Projects in International Cooperation and Development with European and Palestinian universities as well as other International Organizations in the Middle East
Community Service (established in 1984)
Required Undergraduate Academic Course
50 hours of Supervised Community Service with a host of partner organizations in the local community
Established in 1984, more than 8,340 students have offered more than 367,935 hours of service to the local community
