June 13 , 2008

Palestine Rejoices!!!

Bethlehem University ,

The First Palestinian University Established in Palestine ,

Celebrates its 32 nd Graduation with 534 Students.

Perseverance and Determination Prevail

Over Adversity and Military Occupation

13 June 2008 , Bethlehem , Palestine

“I hope that Bethlehem University has helped you to become not only smart, but wise. And true wisdom is not so much about your intellect as it is about your heart, your dispositions, and your character,” said Brother Robert Smith, FSC, PhD, interim Vice Chancellor and Academic Vice President, as he encouraged the 534 newest graduates from Bethlehem University. “Use the gifts God has given you – and the skills and knowledge you have gained during your time at Bethlehem University – to make a difference in the world! Not only make a difference in the world, but be the difference in the world!”

Sister Rita Karkar of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy ( one of some 20 students at Bethlehem University who are Religious Sisters from various religious orders), earned the highest academic record for the graduating class and delivered the valedictorian speech during the 32 nd graduation of Bethlehem University . “The best universities do more than simply teach facts and theories, they teach us how to live! In the best universities, love is at the core of each educational activity. This is the way we experience life at Bethlehem University , our university!”

Originally from Jordan , Sister Rita looks forward to continuing her teaching ministry in Palestine . “I want my students to live and love their faith sincerely and to live in peace with their neighbors of other faith traditions.”

More than 4,000 parents, relatives, University faculty and staff, political leaders, Church officials, representatives of local and international organizations, friends and benefactors gathered at Bethlehem University to rejoice with this latest cohort of students who have succeed in achieving their academic goals despite the most challenging obstacles imposed on them by the travel restrictions and other violations of human rights resulting from the Israeli military occupation and construction of the Separation Wall.

Not everyone graduates on time! Two years ago, June 2006, Khaled (not his real name*) was looking to graduated with his bachelors in computer information systems. He was preparing to apply for a master's degree and life was going according to plan. He was happy. All of this changed, however, when in the Spring of 2006 he, like so many other young Palestinians, was detained by the Israeli military forces, held without charges for 68 days, and imprisoned for 11 months, accused of being “being politically active” on-campus.

Khaled persevered with determination! Once released from 11 month-long prison confinement, not being found “guilty” of any wrong-doing, Khaled promptly returned to his course work at Bethlehem University to catch up on lost academic time and today on Friday, 13 June 2008, we all rejoice as he is one of the 534 new graduates of Bethlehem University.

Archbishop Fouad Twal, President of Bethlehem University, and Brother Robert Smith, FSC, PhD, interim Vice Chancellor and Academic Vice President, conferred the diplomas on the graduates as they walked across the stage to the cheers, applause and admiration of their parents and faculty members. While each of the graduates is responsible for his or her own achievements, the 11,181 graduates of Bethlehem University who are prepared to assume leading positions in the Palestinian society and who are dedicated to serving the common good, guided by shared values and moral principles, are a great testament to the commitment and dedication of the faculty, staff, friends and benefactors of Bethlehem University.

“Together we are changing lives, inspiring innovation and creating the future,” said Dr. Kholoud Daibes, the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Women's Affairs, in her keynote address to the graduates. Also in attendance at the graduation were Mr. Kamal Hassouneh, Palestinian Minister of the National Economy and member of the Bethlehem University Board of Trustees as well as Mr. Fuad Kattan, Chairperson, and Dr. Daoud Salameh, Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

Due to the increased travel restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation, most Bethlehem University students come from the Bethlehem region and more than 27% are like Rawan (not her real name*) who live a relatively short distance away in Jerusalem (10 kilometers or 6 miles) in Jerusalem.

Faced with at least two Israeli military checkpoints on a daily basis, often spending hours coming and going to the University, even though Rawan loved her Bethlehem University experience, because of the daily humiliation at the checkpoints, she is looking forward to not having to endure this daily journey. “I've seen soldiers attempt to forcibly remove clothes of friends for some unknown reason set. Other times,” Rawan continued, “they shout sexual slurs at Palestinian female students.”

According to Dr. Hala Al-Yamani, a professor in the Faculty of Education, this is yet one more of the insidious consequences of the checkpoints and Israeli military occupation. For too many years she's witnessed a dramatic decline in her student's motivation and ability to concentrate in the classroom.

“It is understandable that when you daily face this sort of pressure and humiliation, your self-image can be negatively impacted and you can be tempted to feel worthless,” Dr. Hala said. “This is why we rejoice so profoundly when our students reach this milestone of graduation. With the support of the faculty and benefactors, our students pursue their education and in doing so, they are saying ‘hey, I want to and I can do this.'”

*The names that appear in this article were changed to protect the graduates. The graduates included in the article do not appear in any of the pictures.