The Arab American University Board of Trustees discussed several issues such; the academic and administrative development, getting distinguish scientific expertise from overseas, ways to enhance scientific research, establish and open new specializations to meet the local and international markets’ needs and improve relationships with international universities, during their periodic meeting.
The university Board of Trustees during their periodic meeting
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Mohammed Shtayeh headed the meeting, in presence of the Chairman of Directors Board and the Board of Trustees member Dr. Yousef Asfour, the member of both Board of Directors and Trustees Mr. Zuhair Hijawi, the University President Prof. Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri, the Board’s members, the Directors Board member Mr. Baha’ Asfour, University VP for Administrative and Financial Affairs Mr. Faleh Abu Arra.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Shtayeh started the meeting with a speech in which he thanked the Boards of Trustees and Directors and the University Presidency for their efforts which helped developing the University and accomplish many outstanding achievements in academic, research and infrastructure aspects.
“The University Trustees Board is pleased with its outstanding academic level and seeks to develop permanently. They’re also proud of the accomplishments of developing many disciplines and international scientific partnerships. Bless you all who helped to fulfill the Arab American University dream to stay an outstanding academic landmark, including all the people of the historic Palestine”, he said.
After approving the minutes of the previous meeting, the Board listened to the submitted report by the University President Prof. Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri on the university academic development in terms of numbers of students, graduates, specializations turnout, staff numbers, Palestine in cooperation with the University of Indiana, in addition to the specializations and programs that have been placed under the Ministry of Higher Education accreditation, the need for new specializations to keep pace with the local, Arab and international labor market and joint Master degrees with international universities similar to the current ones with the American Universities of Indiana and British Coventry. He also gave explanation on how to enhance the University’s research and scientific production.
The Council discussed the need to annually review the academic programs, propose amendments, evaluate and improve them from the employers’ point of view and the labor market in general, adding a series of “dynamic” courses, attracting distinguish scientific talents from abroad, academics scholarships to complete their graduate studies, ways to develop scientific research and new disciplines to meet the local and regional market needs, focusing mainly on technology, and developing international relations with international universities.
Dr. Yousif Asfour, Chairman of the Directors Board, said “On behalf of the Board and its members, I would like to thank the University Board of Trustees for representing the guardians and watchful eye of the University to become a global university. We will continue the journey, provide all success requirements and advanced education for youths and prepare them to be leaders of the future, the one we aspire to carry all the good for the children of Palestine. Our mission is a scientific and national one that we Palestinians are able to build a homeland we cherish and be respected internationally”.
The University VP for Administrative and Financial Affairs Mr. Faleh Abu Arra briefed the Council on its development projects which came as a result of the academic improvement and developmental projects under the Board of Directors accreditation that will be a modern addition to the university distinguished academic process quality. Also addressing its scholarships disbursed to the students, stressing that it has exceeded $1.2 million this year, in addition to employees’ grants to complete their graduate studies which reached million dollars.
The Head of Board of Trustees and chairman of the Directors Board commended the efforts to develop keep developing the university. The Trustees Board praised the efforts of University President, his deputies, his assistants and all employees. He thanked the Directors Board for providing all the University’s necessary requirements and for the scholarships it offers to outstanding and needy students.
