SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

Hotel Management Students Train in France

For five weeks this past summer (July 22nd-August 29th), students from the Institute of Hotel Management were hosted by Savoir Le Mains Hotel School in Thoron Les Bains, in the South of France. This program, a result of cooperation between the Hotel Management and Tourism Institute at BU and the Consulate General of France in Jerusalem, provided students with the opportunity to become familiar with European life, improve their French language skills, and learn the standard of service at European hotels.

Social Science Students In Cologne

A group of fifteen students and two faculty members from the Department of Social Sciences participated in the “Academic Exchange Program” with the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Cologne. A four-year contract for cooperation was signed last year, to strengthen academic and cultural relations between the two universities. This year's group is the fourth to visit Germany; another two German groups visited Palestine over the last three years.

English Major Publishes First Novel

Basima Takrori, a third year English major from Jerusalem, is set to be a published author—and not for the first time. Basima's novel, A Seat for the Absent Woman was published by the Palestinian Writers Union in November 2002. This novel, also slated to be translated into English, is the story of a girl who did not know her father in childhood but only meets him after she falls in love with her husband-tobe. Basima started writing at age 15, began this novel when she was 16 and finished it two years ago at the age of 19. Her previous publications were short stories. Some of them have been translated into English. All of us at Bethlehem University join in congratulating Basima on this unique and impressive accomplishment.

Education Students Involved In Voluntary Work

Through the Community Service course offered by the Faculty of Education, about 100 students participated in a campaign to clean the streets of Bethlehem between June 10th and June 20th. In conjunction with the Municipality of Bethlehem and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center in Bethlehem, the cleaning campaign aimed at a partial restoration of the city after the Israeli incursions. It also aimed at reinforcing a spirit of volunteerism among the students and the local community.

Fourth Year Student Works For Inter- Cultural Understanding

Bethlehem University senior Fadi Khoury attended a conference in Istanbul from October 31st to November 3rd. Fadi, an English- Journalism major from Jerusalem, has previously published articles in the Crossing Borders magazine. Crossing Borders, in addition to being a youth magazine, is an organization sponsored by the Danish Government to bring young Palestinians together with their Israeli, Jordanian and European counterparts for three days of discussions and workshops. The discussions, focusing on social and political issues, seek to develop communications and writing skills among aspiring journalists.

Faculty of Nursing Honors Two Outstanding Graduates

The Fareedeh Abudayyeh Al-Budeiri Prize for nursing is awarded annually to the student with the highest GPA in the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. Mr. Adnan Budeiri represented the family and addressed the students. This year, the prize winner was Iman Hilal. Because the grades of another student, Manal Eweisat, were only fractionally lower than those of Iman, the relatives and friends of the donor, Mr. Jamil Al-Budeiri, generously agreed to provide special additional funding. Manal received the Al-Budeiri Family and Friends Prize. Each student received $1,000 in a ceremony held on October 3rd in Millennium Hall and attended by nursing faculty members and university administrators.

Alumni Gather for Their Reunion

Bethlehem University held its annual Alumni Day on November 15th. Most alumni were unable to attend because roads were closed by the Israeli military. The group of alumni that did attend watched a PowerPoint presentation about the University. They were all impressed with Millennium Hall and the opportunities it opens, and they wished that such a beautiful facility existed when they were here. Brother Jerome, Vice President for Development, greeted the group and called for continuous cooperation and ties between alumni and the University. The children of alumni were greeted by students from the Faculty of Education and were taken to the Social and Cultural Center, where they spent their time drawing and playing. Their parents, the alumni, joined them in a festive atmosphere.

Br. Joe with several alumni

Education students entertain children of alumni

BU News Winter-Spring 2003

• Main Page
• Message From The President-Vice Chancellor
• Academic Life
• Spotlight On Students And Alumni
• A Day Of Triumph In A Year Of Challenge
• Thank You For Your Generosity
• Campus Activities
• Memorials
• Visitors To The University
• Israeli Incursion Brings Bu To A Standstill Again