Reflecting Bethlehem University’s deep commitment to offering dynamic, real-world learning experiences, students from the Creative Communications and Campaigns course, taught by Mr. Layth R. Awwad, had the unique opportunity to engage with renowned Palestinian-American comedian, actress, author, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid on Friday, 25 April 2025. Ms. Zayid, celebrated internationally for her groundbreaking TED […]
Bethlehem University students recently completed a transformative international collaboration through a virtual exchange program titled “Building Bridges: Italy Meets Palestine.” The initiative, part of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) model, was launched in partnership with Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Brescia, Italy. It brought together 51 students—33 from Bethlehem University and 18 from […]
This Easter, the student committee of the English Department at Bethlehem University hosted an event that celebrated unity and shared values among students from different backgrounds. The committee, initiated by Layth R. Awwad, includes nine students from across all levels of the English Language, Literature, and Communications Program. This first event, held on the nursing […]
Bethlehem University is proud to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pro Terra Sancta Association, marking the beginning of an innovative partnership to establish the first official Socio-Cultural Animator training program in Palestine. The MoU was officially signed on campus on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, by Professor Iman Saca, Vice […]
Bethlehem University, Hebron University, and An-Najah University held a joint regional meeting on Monday, 24 March 2025, to establish the Palestinian Network for Child Neurodevelopment. This meeting is part of the NeuroDev project, co-funded by the European Union, which aims to establish university centers specializing in neuropsychology and neurodevelopmental disorders. The meeting brought together representatives […]
Bethlehem University continues to make a global impact through academic and creative exchange. On 19 March 2025, Mr. Layth R. Awwad from the English Language, Literature, and Communications Department was invited as a virtual guest poet for the third time to Ms. Electra Aguirre’s (MFA) creative writing class at Colorado State University, Pueblo, USA. His […]
Bethlehem University continues to make strides in academic excellence and community engagement as faculty and students from the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage program embark on an ambitious research initiative. Fourth-year students enrolled in the Research Seminar course (ARCH455) have begun their fieldwork at the Khirbet Abu Hamama and Khirbet Al-Mazar sites in Bethlehem, marking a […]
Bethlehem University continues to reinforce its mission of fostering innovation, creativity, and social responsibility through education. This commitment was exemplified by the recent success of its Interactive Media students, who secured first place in PYALARA’s Virtual Reality (VR) film production training. Their groundbreaking concept for the film “Where Does Pain Go When It Suffocates?” addresses […]
Bethlehem University, represented by Dr. Ahmed Fasfous, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Ms. Minerva Jaraysah and Ms. Hala Khalawi from the Department of Social Sciences participated in the kick-off meeting of the “NeuroDevelopment Project”, which was held at the University of Granada, Spain, from February 24 to 28, 2025, with funding from the […]
Bethlehem University was proudly represented at the annual convention of the Western States Communication Association (WSCA), one of the largest gatherings of academics, students, and practitioners in the field of communication in the USA. The convention took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 13–17 February 2025, centered around the theme of “Support.” A highlight of […]
Bethlehem University and the Mariam Foundation have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a collaborative initiative aimed at supporting children with cancer while providing students with meaningful volunteer opportunities. The agreement was signed Tuesday, 4 March 2025, by Brother Hernán Santos, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, and Mr. Mohamed Hamed, Director of […]
The Interactive Media Program at the Department of Arabic Language and the Institute for Community Engagement & Partnership (ICP) at Bethlehem University successfully concluded the second edition of its Media Literacy Project on Thursday, 27 February 2025. The event brought together academics, representatives of partner organizations, and participating students to celebrate the achievements of the […]
The short documentary “Creating Change”, which featured two students from the Department of English at Bethlehem University, has achieved another major milestone, securing the Best Human Rights Short Film award at the 2025 Love Peace and Freedom Film Festival in Chiapas, Mexico. This recognition follows the film’s success at the Festival of Visual and Interactive […]
On 12 December 2024, Bethlehem University celebrated the official launch of Womenity, the first Palestinian all-female digital English magazine for empowering campus voices. Under the Faculty of Arts, this groundbreaking initiative was created, written, and designed entirely by women, for women, and about women. The event was led by Co-Editors-in-Chief, Ms. Paola Handal and Ms. Ruba Ayyad, alongside Ms. Tina Hazboun as Creative […]
Four Interactive Media students from Bethlehem University—Sireen Najajreh, Areen Abu Srour, Zainab Shaqirat, and Rua Wazwaz—organized an impactful initiative titled “Verifying News and Misinformation” in the scenic village of Battir. The initiative was carried out under the supervision of Ms. Tamara Abu Laban and in collaboration with the Rural Women’s Development Society. Targeting women from […]
A delegation from Bethlehem University participated in the Fifth Global Symposium on Service-Learning, held in Rome on November 7-8, 2024. Organized by the Latin American Center for Service-Learning (CLAYSS) and LUMSA University in Italy, the symposium gathered over 200 representatives from Catholic universities worldwide to advance service learning and celebrate the winning service-learning initiatives in […]
As part of their English for Advocacy course, fourth-year students from the English Department partnered with Program Manager Mr. Hamza Jalham from the Ibdaa Cultural Center and Gender Specialist and Focal Point Ms. Maysa Shalalda from Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association to address the pressing issue of harassment. The collaboration culminated in a two-hour […]
Bethlehem University’s approach to service-learning has garnered international recognition, earning the prestigious Uniservitate Award with a Special Mention. The university’s innovative initiatives were celebrated on 9 November 2024, during a private audience with the Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall. The university’s six-member delegation included representatives from the English Language, Literature, […]
Bethlehem University successfully concluded the Second International Bethlehem Conference, titled “Palestinian Archaeology and Cultural Heritage: Towards Preserving Our Heritage from Appropriation and Destruction,” held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 19-20 November 2024, on campus. The two-day conference featured ten sessions addressing critical topics, including the destruction of cultural heritage in Gaza, the challenges of appropriation, the […]
The Interactive Media and Communication Program at Bethlehem University hosted award-winning British journalist and documentary filmmaker Jessica Kelly, renowned for her investigative films. The event featured a screening of Kelly’s work in Iraq and Palestine, followed by a discussion with students about the challenges of producing such films and their broader impact. Kelly spoke about […]
Bethlehem University is proud to announce that six of its members—three from the Department of English and Communication, Mr. Ramzi Asali, Mr. Layth Awwad, and Ms. Ruba Ayyad, and three from the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Hanan Saca-Hazboun, Ms. Amal Abu Nijmeh-Fakhouri, and Ms. Fatmeh Madani-Hammad, who won the Global UNISERVITATE Award with […]
Dr. Omar Abd Rabbo, Head of the Department of Humanities at Bethlehem University, gave a lecture titled “The Gates of Jerusalem in the Early Arab-Islamic periods (8th -11th century AD)” at the French Institute of the Near East (IFPO) on 18 September 2024. The public lecture drew a diverse audience, including senior researchers, specialists, archaeologists, […]
On September 16, 2024, Mr. Layth R. Awwad, M.A., from the English Language, Literature, and Communications Department at Bethlehem University, returned as a guest lecturer to Colorado State University, Pueblo, USA. This marked his second invitation to speak in Ms. Electra Aguirre’s (MFA) creative writing class, where he shared insights into the creative writing process. […]
Bethlehem University’s Interactive Media Program, in collaboration with the Institute for Community Engagement and Partnership (ICP) and the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation (KVS), has launched the second edition of its Media Literacy Project. This 15-session training program, which involves trainers from the university’s media program and Finland, aims to enhance students’ media literacy skills and […]
Bethlehem University is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Special Mention in the 2024 edition of the prestigious Uniservitate Global Award for Service-Learning in Catholic Higher Education. Bethlehem University was represented in the competition by four initiatives, two of which made it to the final round and earned the honorable Special Mention: […]
The Department of Social Sciences at Bethlehem University concluded a three-day training program on digital security for the field training students in the Social Work program. This training, conducted in collaboration with 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, provided 31 participating students with comprehensive information on digital security issues. The […]
The English Department at Bethlehem University held its annual reading event for its 8th Creative Writing Competition for on Thursday, 16 May 2024. Organized by Ms. Paola Handal and Mr. Layth Awwad, this competition was open to all aspiring writers accross the university who have a passion for creative writing. Like previous years, the competition […]
Twelve students from Bethlehem University, including ten second-year students from the ‘Archaeology and Cultural Heritage’ program and two students from the English Department, participated in an educational archaeological trip to Jordan from April 29 to May 5, 2024. Funded by the Ecoles d’Orient – the French Consulate, this trip gave students valuable archaeological and historical […]
4th Online Conference International TESOL Associations The English Department at Bethlehem University is proud to announce the participation of Ms. Paola Handal and Ms. Maram Daboub at the prestigious TESOL 2024 Building Bridges, Building Cooperation: Unveiling Challenges & Best Practices in ELT. Held annually, this conference serves as a global platform for educators and experts […]
The short film “Creating Change,” featuring two students from the English Department at Bethlehem University, Rand Fararjeh and Donia Dibi, has recently received the Silver Award at the Festival of Visual and Interactive Media. This festival was organized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) in the USA in March 2024. […]
In an era where understanding diverse perspectives and developing intercultural competence are more crucial than ever, Bethlehem University has embarked on a remarkable initiative to foster intercultural dialogue and communication. Integrated into the “Intercultural Communication” course at Bethlehem University, taught by Mr. Ramzi Asali, and the “Interpersonal Communication” course at the University of Montana, taught […]
The Institute for Community Engagement & Partnership (ICP) and the Interactive Media Program proudly hosted the graduation ceremony for Interactive Media students at Bethlehem University on Thursday, 7 March 2024, marking the successful conclusion of the Media Literacy training course and their community projects.During the ceremony, students presented their community initiatives, developed in collaboration with […]
On Thursday, 7 March 2024, Brother Alejandro Cerna, FSC, Dean of Education, along with Dr. Rabab Tamish, Ms. Maha Sader, Dr. Hala Rashed, Ms. Paola Handal, and Dr. Anita Bright, led a poignant visit to nearby Bedouin communities. The six faculty members were warmly welcomed into the communities and kindergartens, gaining invaluable insights into the […]
Dr. Saeed Ayad Interactive Media and Communication Center at Bethlehem University, in collaboration with the Public Relations Association of Bethlehem Institutions and the Ministry of Information, organized a training course for a group of public relations professionals from governmental and private institutions. The course spanned three sessions, totaling 24 training hours. It addressed various aspects […]
Exploring Identity, Poetry, and Multimodal Expression Bethlehem University’s Department of English is delighted to highlight the recent participation of Mr. Layth R. Awwad as a speaker at Colorado State University, Pueblo, USA on February 19, 2024. As a poet and creative writing instructor, Mr. Awwad brought a unique perspective to the dialogue in Ms. Electra […]
Four faculty members from Bethlehem University’s English Department, namely Ms. Paola Handal, Mr. Layth Awwad, Ms. Maram Daboub, and Dr. Anita Bright, actively participated in the NILETESOL 2024 conference in Cairo, Egypt held on January 23-24. The conference, hosted at the American University of Cairo, brought together over 3000 English educators from 30 different countries. […]
The second phase of the media education course for interactive media students concluded at Bethlehem University, held in partnership between the University’s Institute for Community Engagement & Partnership (ICP) and the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation (KVS). The course was part of the media education project in the field of media education, and 21 students from […]
Students of the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program conduct their first international excavation in partnership with PIAC University of Rome. The first excavation took part at the archaeological site of Ṣīyār al-G̲h̲anam /Shepherds’ Field in Bayt Sāḥūr. Read the full report
Thirteen students from the Department of English recently took part in an intensive training focusing on Palestinian representation within Western media. This training, facilitated by America House in Jerusalem and Ramallah, in collaboration with Western Washington University in the USA, aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively engage Western, particularly American, audiences […]
Insights from ELT FIESTA 2023 At ELT FIESTA 2023, organized by De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, faculty members Ms. Paola Handal and Mr. Layth Awwad were invited to participate in the Lasallian English Educators Fellowship Training Program held at Collège des Frères Bethlehem. Ms. Handal and Mr. Awwad delivered a presentation on integrating Canva, a versatile […]
On June 21, 2023, the first training course for trainers in the field of media education, part of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded project “The Inclusive Media Literacy Education in Palestine,” was successfully concluded at the Institute for Community Engagement and Partnership (ICP) – Bethlehem University. Thirteen teachers from various departments at Bethlehem […]
Mona Aburmishan, a renowned Palestinian-American stand-up comic and comedic speaker from Chicago, was invited by Ms. Paola Handal in the English Department at Bethlehem University to speak to the students on Monday, 5 June 2023. With a background in improv and comedy writing from Chicago Second City, Mona has established herself as a talented performer, […]
Layth Awwad, an alumnus of Bethlehem University’s class of 2017 and faculty member in the English Department, presented his ongoing study at the “TESOL PALESTINE: Meeting the Challenges of Today’s Classroom” conference held at An-Najah National University on Sunday, 28 May 2023. In a collaborative effort, Layth Awwad joined forces with Bayan Natsheh, M.A. from […]
The Interactive Media Program at the Faculty of Arts recently organized a session with Ahmed Nader, a renowned Egyptian journalist and voice-over artist, through Google Meet. During the session, Nader shared his expertise in voice-over and advertisements, discussing how advertisements are tailored to diverse audiences and their backgrounds. He emphasized the crucial role of sound […]
Bethlehem University’s Archeology and Cultural Heritage Program remains committed to advancing academic activities in the field of archeology and cultural heritage. Over the past week, the program successfully carried out two significant initiatives, further enriching students’ knowledge and practical skills. The first activity was a collaborative effort with the Pro Terra Santa Museum. The Archeology […]
The Students of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program (ARCH 101 cousre): Introduction to Archeology at Bethlehem University completed a study trip to the city of Nablus and Sabastiya on 30 April 2023 and 1 May 2023, as part of a series of trips that will bolster their theoretical knowledge. The trip covered valuable information about […]
Layth Awwad, an English Department instructor, presented his research titled “Breaking Boundaries: The Impact of Insta-Poetry on English Pedagogy in Palestine” at the TESOL 2023: International Convention and English Language Expo in Portland, Oregon, USA. The presentation was part of the a panel titled “Palestinian Educators and Friends: Linking Hands Across Separation Walls” that was held on […]
Bethlehem University graduate, Adnan Barq ’21, was a main TED speaker at the official TEDinArabic Summit that was held on 18-19 March 2023 in Doha, Qatar under the theme “The Butterfly Effect”. Barq’s TED Talk was entitled “Coping with Intergenerational Trauma”. Barq, who holds a BA in English Language and Literature, is a Palestinian storyteller […]
The Department of Social Sciences at Bethlehem University welcomed a delegation of professors from the Pompeu Fabra University, Spain, from Tuesday, 7 March until Sunday, 12 March 2023. The program included a training for the Master of Social Sciences students in qualitative research methods by using techniques as well as the various theoretical and practical research […]
The Department of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University held a Mandate Mass on Friday, 17 February 2023, for the graduates of Christian Religion Teacher Formation Program that took place in Ramallah area. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar General, presided over the Mass, with the participation of Father Iyad Twal, Executive Vice President, and Father Yacoub Rafidi, […]
Eight sophomore students from the “Archaeology and Cultural Heritage” program at Bethlehem University completed an archaeological excursion to Jordan from Monday, 6 February 2023, to Sunday, 12 February 2023. They were accompanied by Dr. Omar Abed Rabo, the chairperson of the Humanities Department, and Dr. Jutta Häser, a visiting scholar to the program. Twenty German […]
The Arabic Department and Dr. Said Ayyad Interactive Media and Communication Center organized a regional symposium about “The Narration in the Novel vs. Screen Play” at Bethlehem University on the 18th of October, 2022. The session was moderated by Dr. Ziyad Bani Shamsa, Chair of the Arabic Department at Bethlehem University. Dr. Bani Shamsa said […]
The Department of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University represented by the Vice President and Director of the Religious Formation Program in Amman, Father Iyad Al-Twal, had graduated a cohort of students last week. The graduation ceremony took place during a Mass that was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Jamal Daibes, the Latin Vicar in […]
The English Department held a reading session and award distribution on Thursday, 12 May 2022, for the winning students of its Fifth Creative Writing Competition which was open to all university students this spring semester. Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray congratulated the winners and then distributed the awards along with the Vice President for Academic […]
The Religious Studies Department organized a study day on Friday, 1 April 2022, where two faculty members presented their research work to the Bethlehem University community. Fr. Peter Dubrul presented his research work on the first letter of John under the title “God is love” and Fr. Bernard Poggi presented his work under the title […]
Bethlehem University held a memorial ceremony to honor Dr. Said Ayyad and revive his journalistic and academic biography on Thursday, 18 November 2021, on campus in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Palestine TV, and the Municipalities of Bethlehem Governorate. In his speech, Vice Chancellor Brother Peter […]
The Bethlehem University community is mourning the death of Dr. Said Ayyad, Chairperson of the Arabic Department, who passed away on Friday, 8 October 2021, at the age of 61. Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray said “Dr. Said Ayyad was greatly appreciated by all at the University and he will be remembered for his graciousness […]
The Religious Studies Department celebrated on Friday, 11 June 2021, the graduation of 11 of its students through celebrating Mass to ask God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to guide the graduates and inspire them. Every graduate received a blessing document from his Beatitude M. Pierepatista Pitsaballa the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. This year’s Mandate […]
The Department of Social Sciences at Bethlehem University launched a new book titled “Social Work Curriculum including Child Protection Modules” in partnership with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Islamic University in Gaza. Through this curriculum, the Department aims to […]
Under the auspices of the Danish House in Palestine, the Faculty of Arts, and the Department of Humanities, the Office of the Dean of Research held an event to launch the new book “The Ever Elusive Past: Discussions of Palestine’s History and Heritage”, by the Danish researchers Thomas Thompson and Ingrid Hjelm on Thursday, 21 […]
The aim of this international mobility project agreement is cross-cultural and linguistic exchange among students from both institutions.
The Department of Social Sciences at Bethlehem University has partnered with the Department of Social Sciences at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences of North Rhine – Westphalia (KatHO) in Germany for an academic exchange program that will continue for the coming 15 years. The Department’s Chairperson and program coordinator, Dr. Ferdoos Abed Rabbo Al-Issa, […]
The Arabic Department at Bethlehem University held a launching ceremony for Sister Raymonde Cobin’s book “the world is my homeland and people are my brothers and sisters” on Monday, 20 May 2019. Chairperson of the Arabic Department, Dr. Said Ayyad, welcomed the attendees after playing the Palestinian anthem. He said the Department was proud that […]
“Development in Palestine: Trends and Alternatives” The Social Sciences Department at Bethlehem University held its seventh annual conference entitled “Development in Palestine: Trends and Alternatives” sponsored by the United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) on Tuesday, 02 April 2019. This year’s conference aimed at creating a thinking space to deal with and criticize development concepts. It […]
Bethlehem University’s English Department announced the winners of its third Creative Writing Competition on Thursday, 14 March 2019. Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Chairperson of the Department, Ms. Hanadi Younan, thanked the competition committee and announced the winners of this year. The 1st prize winner in Poetry was Eslam Dabank from the […]
As part of the Francophonie events organized by the English Department’s French program at Bethlehem University, a photography exhibition entitled “why I love Bethlehem University” was opened Thursday, 12 April, in De La Salle Hall. The Representative of Switzerland in Palestine, Mr. Julien Thöni, and the French Consulate’s Educational Cooperation Attaché in Jerusalem, Ms. Marie-Claude […]
“Psychology in Palestine: Reality and Future” The Social Sciences Department at Bethlehem University held its sixth annual conference entitled “Psychology in Palestine: Reality and Future” under the patronage of the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Tuesday, 27 March 2018. Representatives of various universities, non-governmental organizations and ministries working in the field of psychology and […]
On Thursday, February 15, the English Department hosted award-winning Palestinian writer Suad Amiry on campus to speak particularly to the students of the Department. Hanadi Soudah Younan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Chairperson of the English Department, welcomed Amiry to Bethlehem University and expressed the importance of exposing students to authors who are […]
It gives us great pleasure to introduce to you in our regular feature Faculty in the Spotlight for the new academic year 2017-2018, Dr. Said Ayyad, Assistant Professor of Journalism, Chair of the Arabic Department, and ex-director of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. Dr. Said wss born in Bethlehem to an educated family with limited means […]
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, the Religious Studies Department at Bethlehem University held its 16th annual Mandate Mass for its graduates in the Chapel of the Divine Child. The mass was held to celebrate the graduates as they are about to begin their careers as religion teachers. Father Iyad Twal, Director General of the Latin […]
From November 21st to 24th, three French classes from the English department and from the Institute of Hotel Management were fortunate to be part of the second edition of the Human Rights week through theater. Following a week of practice and awareness of human rights with the teachers Anne Debeuckelaere and Virginie Lucas, the students […]