Student Exchange Between Bethlehem University and Vestfold College, Norway

Academic cooperation between Bethlehem University’s Faculty of Education and Vestfold College, Norway, is in its tenth year, and it entails the exchange of student and faculty visits.

It all started in 1994 when Dr. Sami Adawan, of the B.U. Education Faculty, attended a conference in Norway on the role of education in developing a culture of peace. There he met Dr. Oyvind Wistrom of Vestofold College. Both men discussed the possibilities of cooperation, and a delegation from Vestfold College visited Bethlehem University. The discussions culminated in signing a cooperation agreement.

During the Fall of 2004, students from Vestfold College visited Bethlehem University from 16 – 23 September. They attended teacher training classes and visited local schools. The guests went to refuge camps and children cultural centers and kindergartens in the Bethlehem area. They traveled to Hebron and toured the old city there, and visited the Palestinian Cultural Center for Children. The Vestfold students attended a presentation by representatives of the U.N’s Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). During their stay, the visitors were hosted in the homes of B.U. staff and students.

The Vestfold students met in Bethlehem University with Brother Fergus McArdle, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development. They also met representatives of the Student Senate.