During opening the Fourth Session

Arab American University new Board of Trustees opened their 4th Session with a meeting, held in AAUJ Ramallah campus. The board re-elected Dr. Mohammad Shtayeh Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Salem Abu Khizran to be the board’s Vice President.

In his first meeting, the board discussed academic and administrative development, attracting rare scientific expertise from abroad, enhancing scientific research, developing new specialties to meet local and regional market needs and developing relations with international universities.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Trustees Board Dr. Mohammed Shtayeh, in presence of the Board of Directors, University President Prof. Dr. Ali Zidan Abu Zuhri, the Board members, Board Academic Advisor Dr. Waled Deep and University President Assistant for Administrative and Financial Affairs Mr. Faleh Abu Arra.

Dr. Shtayeh welcomed the trustees’ board new members. Thanking both the boards of directors and trustees members and university presidency for their efforts to develop the university and achieve many outstanding achievements in academic and research aspects and infrastructure.

“University board of trustees is pleased with the university distinguish academic level and seeks always for development. It’s proud with the academic achievements by developing many disciplines and international scientific partnership. Adding, thanks to all the efforts that fought to bring Arab American University into light. Light of modern education that meets Palestinian youth’s aspirations”, he said.

The board listened to President Abu Zuhri report on the university academic improvement in students’ numbers, graduates, specializations turnout ratio, employees numbers, accredited programs and the need to open some new disciplines to fulfill local, Arab and international labor market. The report mentioned, continuing to launch joint Master degree programs with international universities, similar to the current programs with the university of Indiana and Coventry. It also gave an explanation about the steps to strengthen research and science production at the university.

They also reviewed the annual academic schedules, proposed implementation for the schedules, evaluate the programs based on the markets and employers views, add more “dynamic” courses, attract external outstanding scientific expertise, send staff members to complete graduate studies in strategic disciplines, enhance scientific research, develop new specialties to meet local and regional market needs and improve relations with international universities.

As for administrative, financial and constructive sides, University President assistant for administrative and financial affairs Mr. Faleh Abu Arra gave detailed explanation on the university achievements in infrastructure. Presenting, the developmental projects delivered lately and the ones under construction in details. Also mentioned its impact serving students and local communities and he briefed the financial budget.

“In the names of University Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Yousef Asfour, the board members and myself, we thank the university board of trustees who works day and night for becoming an international university. We, in the Directors Board shall proceed building and improving for the coming generations to offer them advanced education and prepare them to lead the future, we dream of to be good for our people. The university vision is to build a nation that we cherish and be respected by the world”, said Directors Board VP Eng. Abdul Halim Muhid.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors , praised the efforts to develop the university and its infrastructure to serve academic process. The trustees’ board commended the University President, his deputies, assistants and all employees’ efforts. He thanked the Board of Directors for providing all the University necessary requirements and its scholarships it to outstanding students.