The Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Arab American University, Prof. Hazem Khanfar, has received the Karate World Champion for juniors, Mariam Bsharat, who visited the University to be honored for winning the gold medal, and to get acquainted with the sports facilities at the University.

Mariam Bsharat had won the gold medal in the World Championship for Juniors and Youth under the age of 21, after defeating the Egyptian player in the final match in the over 61 kg weight category. The championship was held in the Italian city of Venice.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Khanfar welcomed the Palestinian champion and the accompanying delegation, which included her father and uncle. They were received by the Vice President, the Head of the Department of Sports Sciences, Dr. Odai Draghmeh, the Director of Sports Facilities, Mr. Hassan Nassif, and the Director of Public Relations, Mr. Firas Saifi. Dr. Khanfar conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of the Founding Board of Directors of the University, Dr. Yousef Asfour, and the Acting President of the University, Dr. Bara Asfour.

Professor Khanfar expressed his happiness for the visit of the champion Bsharat to the Arab American University. He also expressed his pride that a Palestinian woman was awarded with the gold medal and became the world champion in karate, noting that her honoring is a confirmation of the University's support for Palestinian athletes, especially the distinguished ones who won championships. He explained that the University supports sports in all its forms by providing international sports facilities, in which many international, regional and local championships were held.

For her part, the karate champion Mariam Bsharat thanked the Arab American University for the nice gesture that brought happiness to her heart, and this is a confirmation of their full support for Palestinian youth in all fields. She noted that she is proud of winning the gold medal, raising the name of Palestine in international forums, explaining that she won many championships in karate, and won many medals, but the last championship has its advantage in that she represented Palestine and was awarded with the gold medal.

After honoring the Palestinian world champion Mariam Bsharat, a radio interview was conducted with her in a morning program on the University Radio, and then a tour of the sports facilities, including the international sports hall, the international football stadium, and the University's Olympic swimming pool. The tour also included the Prosthetics and Orthotics Factory and the University's Medical Rehabilitation Complex, where Bsharat expressed her pride in the existence of such facilities in Palestine with highly advanced specifications.