Bethlehem University continues to advance its global academic partnerships with a recent visit to Norway by three of its faculty members—Ms. Mariam Awad, Ms. Amal Fakhouri, and Ms. Etaf Maqboul. As part of the ongoing NORPART (Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation) initiative, the faculty members visited VID Specialized University campuses in Bergen and Oslo to enhance collaboration in education, clinical practice, and research.
The NORPART project focuses on improving care for patients with severe chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and pediatric conditions. During their visit, they actively contributed to research group meetings in Bergen, gaining valuable insights into VID’s collaborative research culture. The team also taught sessions for master’s students specializing in palliative care, highlighting their expertise and deep commitment to health education.
In Oslo, the faculty members delivered a well-attended public lecture on the Palestinian healthcare system, addressing both the strengths and challenges in providing care for patients living with chronic illnesses. Their presentation provided a first-hand look into the realities faced by healthcare professionals and patients in Palestine, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in tackling global health issues.
Beyond academic engagements, the visit also fostered face-to-face planning for current and future NORPART project activities. It allowed for deeper collaboration between Bethlehem University and VID, reinforcing shared goals of improving healthcare education and research in Palestine.
The visit was coordinated by Associate Professor Amin Amro from VID’s Faculty of Health Sciences—an alumnus of Bethlehem University—whose efforts played a key role in facilitating this exchange.
Bethlehem University remains deeply committed to developing leaders in health sciences and building global partnerships that serve the public good. This visit represents a meaningful step forward in that mission, bringing together academic excellence and international solidarity to improve healthcare outcomes in Palestine and beyond.