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University Welcomes Former Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos and Palestine's Ambassador to the UN Mansour

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Arab American University hosted the former Spanish Foreign Minister and EU Former Representative of Middle East Peace Process Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos and Palestine’s Ambassador to the UN Dr. Riyad Mansour, accompanied with Dr. Ammar Hijazi from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They visited the university Ramallah campus for graduate studies to learn about its Master programs and check the University’s recently established Policy and Conflict Resolution Studies Center.

From the reception

Chairman of the University Directors Board Dr. Yousef Asfour, University President Prof. Dr. Ali Zidan Abu Zuhri, Board of Directors’ Academic Advisor and the University Founding President Dr. Waleed Deeb, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Dr. Abdulrahman Abu Lebda, University VP for International Affairs Dr. Dalal Erekat, Director of the Policy and Conflict Resolution Studies Center Mrs. Rola Shahwan, and members of the Center Board of Directors; Prof. Dr. Ayman Yousef, Dr. Nidal Al-Jayousi and Dr. Iyad Yacoub, all welcomed Mr. Moratinos and Dr. Mansour.

During the meeting, the University President Prof. Dr. Abu Zuhri gave a lecture on the university, its faculties, its bachelor, master and doctoral academic programs. He talked about the university’s philosophy, its modern teaching methods focusing on presenting modern science in ways to enhance students' thinking. Stressing, the most important reasons for the university success and excellence is being open to the world, exchanging international academic and research expertise, and attracting national and international talents.

The Chairman of the University Directors Board Dr. Asfour talked about the idea of the University: “This is Palestine’s first private university and its success confirms the private sector’s commitment in the development process in Palestine. Despite being new, this university has reached a high level in research and education. Stressing its donors’ willingness to provide what’s necessary to offer modern education for its students.”

The former Spanish Foreign Minister and European Union Representative for the Peace Process Mr. Moratinos, a professor at the prestigious French University of SciencePo., expressed his delight for having a distinguished scientific edifice in Palestine such as the Arab American University and its administration and leaders’ constructive thinking to create a network of international relations to exchanging experiences and scientific competencies and implement joint academic programs, such as the joint master and doctoral programs with Indiana University in the United States. As well as researching in many areas, especially in the field of conflict resolution studies, and adoption the Conflict Resolution and Development program because of its importance to the Palestinian situation.

He expressed his support for the Policy and Conflict Resolution Studies Center at the Arab American University, and his willingness to help open the cooperation horizons and create new partnerships with European and American universities that serve the Center, the university and both its teaching staff and students, especially in peace studies, conflict resolution, students and experiences academic exchanges.

Palestine’s Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Mansour expressed his admiration of AAUJ and its academic programs. He stressed that the University had jumped a step further, in addition to its academic excellence in several fields, through establishing the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution to discuss the essence of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Adding, he's ready to help and contribute to the Center's success, and support it with international relations network, experts, and specialists from around the world. He pointed that the Center is a Palestinian official, institutional and regional need, in light of the peace process complexities.

The university VP for international relations Dr. Erekat reviewed the university academic, scientific and research partnerships with foreign universities and research centers. Stressing that its philosophy is based on being open to the world, exchange ideas and sciences, checking everything new, keep up with the international scientific arena and seek academic development through international partnerships. The Policy and Conflict Resolution Studies Center, the first of its kind in the region, will provide Palestinian decision-makers with insights and papers related to the Palestinian political situation from a research and academic point of view, she added. The director of the center, Mrs. Rola Shahwan said the center would enhance the scientific research importance in conflict resolution, which will reflect on graduate students and researchers in this field.

Mr. Moratinos, Dr. Mansour and Hijazi took a tour with their hosts around the university campus faculties, where they checked the university classrooms, library and laboratories, expressing their admiration for its provided possibilities to serve education.

From the reception
Honoring the guests
Part of the tour
Part of the tour
Part of the tour