Who will develop the Palestinian state?
Bethlehem University First Masters Degree Graduates
27 October 2007

Saturday, 27 October 2007 provided an historic occasion for Bethlehem University and for all of Palestine.  As the Palestinian people are the persons who are primarily responsible for the development and improvement of the economic, social and cultural dimensions of the evolving Palestinian state, Bethlehem University, the first university established in the West Bank, is honored to have graduated 19 students of the first class for the Masters of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD).  In the Fall of 2005, over 180 persons from all over the West Bank applied for this most rigorous Masters program.  The graduation ceremonies for the 19 successful graduates took place at Bethlehem University on Saturday, 27 October 2007 at 4:00pm with a keynote address delivered by H.E. Minister Mohammed-Kamal Hassouneh, Minister of National Economy; Telecommunication and Information Technology; and Public Works and Housing.  “These graduates play a most important role in the development of the Palestinian society and we are grateful to Bethlehem University and their donors for this wonderful achievement,” said Minister Hassouneh.

Mrs. Claudette Habesh, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Bethlehem University as well as H.E. Archbishop Fouad Twal, President of Bethlehem University, and Brother Daniel Casey, FSC, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, presided at the graduation ceremony.  “MICAD fits well within the mission of Bethlehem University, which is to provide quality higher education to the people of Palestine and to serve them in its role as a center for the advancement, sharing and use of knowledge – emphasizing excellence in academic programs and the development of students as committed people prepared to assume leading positions in society,” said Brother Daniel.  In speaking to the graduates in particular, Mrs. Habesh said, “Today is not the end, today is the beginning! We hope for you a lot.”

The graduates of the MICAD program, the first masters degree offered by Bethlehem University, are highly qualified professional persons who have demonstrated superior skills and knowledge in the areas of sustainable development with specific knowledge and ethical awareness in human development, social and economic issues, project management, political science and international relationships.  With the academic rigor of the MICAD program and their practical professional expertise, the MICAD graduates are prepared to provide NGOs, United Nations agencies as well as public and private institutions throughout Palestine with ethical leadership in international cooperation and development. 

The graduates were presented by Dr. Fadi Kattan, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Director of MICAD.  In the name of the graduates, Lubna Rif’at Abdel-Hammed Iskandar, delivered the Valedictory Address.  “Before the Intifada started, I spent two years looking for a scholarship to continue my education abroad. I got accepted at the University of London among other 15 students from all over the world. But as the Intifada started I could not go. Later I had children and it was impossible for me to leave my kids and follow my dreams. So, when I heard about the MICAD program, I thought that it was God’s gift to me from the sky. I thought that God must have read my mind and inspired someone to think of this program that was tailored just for me and my needs. It gave me hope that I still can give and produce no matter what the constraints are,” said Lubna. <click her for Lubna’s speech>

Professor Gianni Vaggi, Director of the Centre for International Cooperation and Development at the University of Pavia, Italy, delivered the Main University Partner Address (click here for Prof. Vaggi's speach) .  “MICAD is here because of the commitment of Bethlehem University – and we in Europe are also benefiting from this program through our exchange of students and professors,” said Professor Vaggi.

Professor Antonio Raimondi, former President of VIS (International Volunteering for Development) delivered the Main NGO Partner address.  “Today we are living the real meaning of the words ‘international cooperation’ – cooperation between universities, NGOs and donors in order to achieve this wonderful program which is in service of human development for the betterment of our global community,” said Professor Raimondi.

The MICAD program at Bethlehem University has been made possible through the generous assistance of more than 21 donors and partners including the Catholic Bishops Conference of Italy, VIS, Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo, and TEMPUS as well as partner NGOs in collaboration with the University of Pavia, Italy, University College Dublin, Ireland, and Radbound University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

In the Fall 2006 the MICAD program doubled its size by opening its doors to a second cohort of students, working in parallel with the first one.  At the same time, the Tempus program of the European Union provided further support with stronger partnerships, including Palestinian NGO PARC.   Likewise, in the Fall of 2007, a third cohort of graduate student was admitted to the MICAD program. 

“I have the dream that MICAD can make another dream come true.  The dream that I have and think that everyone has is the dream of peace in the Holy Land,” concluded Professor Antonio Raimondi.