October 31 , 2008

european delegation visits bethlehem university
By Franck Xavier Martin

The Consul General of France and acting special representative for the European Commission, Mr. Alain Rémy, visited Bethlehem University on October 22nd for an exciting visit to discuss cooperation between Bethlehem University and the European community.  

Mr. Rémy was accompanied by a delegation from fifteen European countries: The United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Poland and France.

The visit of the delegation was aimed at informing the European officials of the work accomplished by European personnel inside Bethlehem University, including a look at funding and projects already in progress. Bethlehem University’s ongoing commitment to providing quality education to Palestinian students living under Israeli military occupation would not be possible without this help from our European friends. 

In the Audiovisual Center, Mr. Sami el-Yousef, Vice President for Finances and Planning, began the day with an overview of the Bethlehem University projects which are supported by the European Union.

The delegation then visited the Digital Media Centre, which was created thanks to funding from Finland, and the Turathuna Heritage Centre, where the memory of Palestine's heritage is carefully preserved thanks to funding from Ireland. 

At last, the tour ended in the Institute of Hotel Management's restaurant, where the European delegation was joined by Bethlehem University staff, faculty and volunteers from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Malta, Spain and France for a tasty lunch.  The visit concluded with the hope that cooperation between Bethlehem University and its friends in Europe will continue.