July 11 , 2008

Bethlehem University hosts first annual student festival

Dancing, drums and dabke, three staples of Palestinian culture, were all on full display this month as Bethlehem University hosted the first annual Palestinian Student Festival. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the event was held on July 8 and was coordinated and attended by eight Palestinian universities

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Throughout the day each university presented a cultural performance unique to their campus. These included poetry, folklore, alternative theatre, dabke dance and instrumental performances. As well, representatives from each university were given time to make short presentations about their university, its student body and its history. At the end of the day, all the institutions that participated in the festival were honored with a commemorative plaque.

Along with a strong showing from Bethlehem University , students from all over the West Bank travelled long distances and crossed numerous checkpoints to attend. The event saw delegations from Al-Quds University , Palestine Polytechnic University , Hebron University , Al-Quds Open University, Arab American University , Palestine Technical University and An-Najah National University , along with students and media from the Bethlehem community.

Bethlehem University student Annan Jawabrah welcomed the audience and guests, asking them to stand for the Palestinian anthem and a minute of silence in tribute to the souls of the martyrs of Palestine .

As well, Dr. Lamees Al-alami, the minister of higher education, addressed the crowd and said she was happy to endorse the event in the city of Jesus Christ in the cradle of peace. She also said: “this day is a day of educational and academic excellence and celebrating.”

She gave sincere thanks to all who contributed and gathered at the event in distinctive uniforms, and also expressed support for the formation of a committee of students who will organize similar activities on other Palestinian campuses.

Dr. Lamees said the ministry would do its utmost to support and strengthen Palestinian universities.

Dr. Irene Hazou, Assistant Vice President of Bethlehem University Academic Affairs, welcomed the attendees and participants, offering thanks and gratitude to the activities of the Ministry of Education for establishing such a large ceremony. She said events like the Palestinian Student Festival are vital in order to maintain communication and cooperation between universities and students in Palestine , despite the many barriers to their access to education due to the Israeli occupation, including difficulty of movement.

On behalf of the festival committee, Mr. No'man Shaheen hosted the event and thanked the deans of students in the eight Palestinian universities for their important role in facilitating the festival. He said the festival will take place every year in a different Palestinian university.