Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Abu Mowais, representative of the President of the State of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas "Abu Mazin", said that "The Arab American University, with its orientation towards modernity, digital, technology, purposeful research, and international partnerships, places itself among the most prestigious international universities in terms of classifications and awards. It also has a prominent presence in the prestigious international databases”.
This took place during the celebration of the Arab American University, under the auspices of the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazin, for the inauguration of the University Rehabilitation Medical Complex, which is the one of its kind in Palestine, in addition to the inauguration of the Faculty of Modern Medicine building and the Prosthetic Limbs Factory, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The inauguration was attended by the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab American University, Dr. Yousef Asfour, the University President, Prof. Dr. Ali Zedan Abu Zuhri, members of the Board of Trustees and the University Administration, Founding President and Board of Directors Advisor, Dr. Waleed Deeb, Board of Directors Advisor for Planning and Development, Dr. Adli Saleh, Vice President for the Faculty of Medicine Affairs, Dr. Malik Zaben, deans of the university faculties, members of the academic and administrative staff, university students, and representatives of medical, health, security, governmental, private, and civil institutions.
Ceremony Patron’s Statement
In his speech representing the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mowais said; "I convey to you the greetings and congratulations of the sponsor of the march and the owner of wisdom and insight, His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, who cares about universities and students, who represent the future hope. I also convey to you the congratulation of Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, who is pleased to see this academic, scientific, and practical achievement. He is proud of the development and progress of all higher education institutions in Palestine”.
The Minister of Higher Education declared that the eighteenth of December of each year is specified as a scientific day for rehabilitation. This event will be sponsored by the Ministry under the title "Palestine: A Smile and Hope", in which all rehabilitation centres present success stories to draw a smile on the faces of the recovered and people with special needs, in addition to presenting research articles and patents”.
The minister said; "I am pleased to share with you this distinguished day to witness with my own eyes one of the stages of the progress and prosperity of this university”. He praised the modernity and technology of the Medical Centre, for meeting the needs of the recovered and people with special needs and providing hope for them. It is a centre that conforms to the requirements of the labour market in line with national priorities and strategies of Higher Education.
Abu Mowais added; “We celebrate this day with this scientific production, technical professionalism, and international competence. It is an effort to show loyalty to our martyrs, our prisoners, and our wounded, on the path of whom we march towards the eyeball of the beloved Palestine. Through this centre, researchers and innovators will find a fertile field for leadership, creativity, and innovation”.
Abu Mowais continued, saying; "Palestine is precious. Achieving liberation and independence requires everyone’s efforts in their various positions. We need effective security, a fair judiciary, a sound economy, health, and education. A sound mind resides in a healthy body. We also need a pioneering woman. The brilliance of sports and arts indicates sovereignty”.
AAUP President's Statement
In his welcoming speech, President of the Arab American University, Prof. Dr. Ali Zedan Abu Zuhri, confirmed that the inauguration of the University Medical Rehabilitation Complex at the Arab American University is an exceptional event as it is an indication of social, academic, and health responsibility towards our local community. He indicated that since its establishment, the university has been paying great attention for the health field and medical specializations in general. Its establishment coincided with the launch of work and teaching in the Faculty of Dentistry, which has become the most distinguished in the region after obtaining the Adee Leader International Recognition, in addition to the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences with its various departments, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine”.
He explained that the Medical Rehabilitation Complex provides rehabilitation services through the use of the most advanced medical rehabilitation treatment techniques and the latest technological means in the world, under the supervision of specialists, academics, and experts in this field. He indicated that the Medical Complex contains a physiotherapy centre that will provide rehabilitation services for children, physical rehabilitation for adults, in addition to the Department of Hydrotherapy, and the Functional Therapy Centre that includes several departments, namely the Children’s Rehabilitation Department, which provides rehabilitation services to improve the quality of life of children and their families, the Adult Physical Rehabilitation Department, which provides rehabilitation services for people recovering from injury or various diseases, the Department of Rehabilitation of Hand and Upper Limb Injuries to improve the functional use of the hand and arm, and the Department of Psychological Rehabilitation, which provides evaluation, treatment, and follow-up services for cases of depression, anxiety of all kinds, and various disorders”.
He added; "The Functional Therapy Centre also contains the latest assistive technology devices for patients and training methods for their use to help patients gain independence in daily life skills. There is a splints department that manufactures fixed and mobile splints, with modern technologies, and a daily life skills rehabilitation department that is based on training patients and enhancing their daily living skills in a comprehensively designed residence”.
The matter does not stop here. Rather, the complex includes, as indicated by President, Professor Dr. Abu Zuhri, a specialized centre in diagnosing and treating speech, language, and hearing disorders. It is considered the first of its kind in Palestine, as it provides evaluation and treatment services for patients with speech and language disorders, and hearing impairment, through the use of the latest tests and the use of modern technical devices”.
He explained that what distinguishes this complex is that it contains the centre and factory of prostheses and assistive devices, which is considered the largest and most modern in the region. It is equipped with the latest technologies and high-tech devices that conform to the specifications of the International Organization for Prosthetic Limbs (ISPO). The factory provides services through its three departments, the Department of Diagnosis and Examination, the Department of Manufacturing Limbs and Assistive Devices, and the Rehabilitation Department, in addition to a group of supportive centres, most notably the Department of Medical Analysis, which includes all routine medical examinations, a comprehensive blood test, clinical and bacteriological examinations, the Department of Medical Imaging, and the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Centre, which is officially licensed by the Heart Association, in addition to a group of outpatient clinics.
He emphasized that the Medical Complex, with its departments and centres, will achieve the goal for which it was established. It will provide services to our Palestinian society, especially in the northern West Bank region. He thanked everyone who contributed to the establishment of this Medical Complex.
Statement of Chairman of the University Board of Directors
For his part, the Founding Chairman of the University Board of Directors, Dr. Yousef Asfour, indicated that the university records a new achievement among the achievements it has achieved over the course of twenty-two years, explaining that this is the realization of part of a dream we had about 30 years ago when we decided that there would be a remarkable university in Palestine.
He said; "Our University began with small roots in Jenin and extended to cover other parts of the homeland. It gave fruits in every city and village in historical Palestine. Now, our university has become academically distinguished at all levels. You see it as a university that is distinguished in community service with unique and high quality centres”.
He explained that the university faced many obstacles, but the insistence of the University Board of Directors was limitless, which made us overcome all obstacles and refuse defeat or retreat. Our first and foremost concern was the development of the university to reach what we aspire to. We thank everyone who contributed to building this great edifice and achieving the achievements.
Jenin Governor's Statement
The Governor of Jenin, Major General Akram Rjoub, praised the Arab American University for what it has accomplished. He stated; “We celebrate a new achievement today. This is not strange. He pointed out that the most important goals of the existence of Palestinian universities is to serve the community. Inaugurating this Medical Complex is a message that is sent by the Arab American University. This message includes loyalty and commitment to serve the local community with international techniques and specifications. He indicated that there is a need to stand by the university to deliver the noble message”.
Stories of Success
During the inauguration session, success stories of two patients who were treated in the Medical Complex Centres at the University were presented. Among these stories is the story of the child Shifaa, who could speak after a torturing treatment journey. Her parents recounted that they took the child to many medical and health centres in the West Bank and abroad, but To no avail. They took her to the Speech and Hearing Centre at the University. After a few sessions, her voice could come out. After that, she was able to speak.
The same applies to the young man in his twenties, Yazeed, who was paralyzed in his body as a result of falling from a height of 20 meters. Doctors from various centres and hospitals in the West Bank told him that there was no hope for his recovery. Upon receiving treatment at the Physical and Functional Therapy Centre at the Arab American University, Yazid was able to walk.
A Tour at the Medical Complex
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a tour at the Medical Rehabilitation Complex at the University, which included the Physical and Functional Therapy Centres, the Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders, the Centre and Factory for Prostheses and Assistive Devices, Specialized Outpatient Clinics, the Analysis Department, the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, and the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Centre.
