ACADEMIC LIFE

Strategic Planning Focuses on Academic Review

The focus in the fifth year of the Five Year Strategic Plan was the review of the University's academic programs. Due to the constant interruptions and closures, the work was not completed. Yet during that year faculties and departments went through a thorough review of the aims and objectives of their programs on the basis of the mission and goals of Bethlehem University and the current needs of the Palestinian society. This is a fundamental component of the review.

Maha Fatho, Sa‘adah Sahouri, Brother David Scarpa, and Adnan Shequier
review materials on curriculum study.

This year the departments will be completing the review by first undergoing an in-depth selfstudy of the curriculum identifying opportunities for development and improvement. The selfstudy will be followed by an external evaluation to put the review in a broader context relative to similar programs elsewhere.

Fulbright Scholar Studies at Penn State University

Aziz Khalil,PhD, Department of English, was awarded a Fulbright Senior Research Scholarship Grant for the 2002-2003 Academic Year. He is carrying out his research at the Pennsylvania State University. The research topic is: Assessment of Language Learning Strategy Use by Arab Learners of English and American Learners of Arabic.

Roman University Honors Teacher of Religious Studies

The Salesian Pontifical University in Rome awarded Sofi Ghanem, PhD, “the Medal of the University” for the year 2002, for the brilliant success achieved in her doctoral thesis on “Peace Education in Palestine”. Her thesis was selected as best of the year.

Water And Soil Environmental Research Unit Undertakes New Project

Bethlehem University has been working for the last two years with scientists from Purdue University, An-Najjah University and the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) preparing an MSc. program in Water Resource Management. On September 28th 2002, a pilot course began for a group of 25 students in Gaza, some graduates of IUG and other Palestinian Water Authority professionals. Next year the program will be available to all Palestinian science graduates.

Hotel Management Students Employ the Latest Technology

The Government of France, through the Consulate General in Jerusalem, has generously completed a donation gift package estimated at $25,000 to the Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism. Sixteen upgraded computers and state-of the-art international hotel management computer applications allow 120 students to use facilities on par with international standards in hospitality education.

ICP Celebrates Another Milestone in Community Service

On October 28th, the Institute For Community Partnership (ICP) completed a training program for 115 participants as part of a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Program, with funding from the Government of Italy. In coordination with the Bethlehem Governorate, introductory courses in Spanish, French, Italian and computer skills were offered to the participants.

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