On Monday, 13 October 2025, Bethlehem University welcomed Mr. Andrew Saberton, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Management of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for a high-level field visit organized by the Deanship of Students.
Dr. Fadi Kattan, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, welcomed the UNFPA delegation, Mr. Saberton, Mr. Nestor Owomuhangi (UNFPA Representative in Palestine), Mr. Dominic Allen (Deputy Regional Director for the Arab States), and Ms. Sima Alami (Adolescents & Youth Programme Analyst), alongside our partners from the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration with UNFPA and PMRS to expand evidence-based, youth-friendly services on campus and across the wider community.
Dr. Fadi Kattan, Executive Vice President: “Welcoming UNFPA leadership to our campus reaffirms Bethlehem University’s vision to provide safe, evidence-based, and student-centered health services. NAFAS is the place where learning meets care, empowering young people to make informed decisions and to lead healthier, more resilient lives.”
NAFAS is a youth-friendly health center, established in Bethlehem University in cooperation with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, through funds from United Nations Population Fund.
During the executive meeting, Dr. Mohammad Awad, Dean of Students, delivered a project briefing on NAFAS, highlighting student benefits across prevention, psychosocial support, and peer-led health education, and outlining how youth-friendly safe spaces at universities are strengthening wellbeing and leadership.
Mr. Andrew Saberton, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Management: “It is always good to know our partners closely and to work together toward safe environments for students. This project is being implemented in five universities in the West Bank, and it was planned to be implemented in two universities in Gaza as well.”
The delegation then toured NAFAS, where they observed a yoga session in the outdoor garden, a sexual and reproductive health session, part of “Pink October” awareness activity.
