Alumni Association of Bethlehem University

Historical Background

1. The Alumni Association of Bethlehem University was established on July 17, 1977.
2. Alumni Association is a member of the Charitable Societies union in Jerusalem, and in Jordan, and at the Palestinian Ministry of Interior.
3. Members count approximately 4,630 persons.
4. Alumni Association office is located near Bethlehem University.

Goals

1. Spreading social, scientific, and modernized knowledge to contribute in building Palestinian society.
2. Developing links between graduates of BU in the various fields.
3. Developing relationships between Alumni and other local social and cultural institutions.
4. Improving social and cultural level of graduated of BU by publishing several bulletins.
5. Developing academic research.
6. Supporting the cadres and the qualified people of the country by offering them housing units for the sake of hindering the immigration.

Administrative structure

The Alumni Association Council is composed of 9 members. They are the following:

1. Mr. Jubrail Shomali, Chairman and Executive Director of Projects
2. Mr. Nafeth Rifai, Deputy Chairman
3. Mr. Rasem Obaidat, Treasurer
4. Mr. Mousa Ajweh, Secretary
5. Mr. Nidal Mitleq, Member
6. Mr. Yaser Braigeeth, Member
7. Ms. Hanan Al-Issa, Member
8. Ms. Sana Abu Ghosh, Member
9. Ms. Gladys Mansour, Member

There are 5 Committees affiliate of the Association :

a) Development and Continuing Education

b) Public Relations

c) Artistic and Social Affairs

d) Culture

e) Housing

Activities

1. Publishing several documents on Alumni activities and graduates affairs.
2. Carrying out surveys on the social and economical conditions of graduates.
3. Symposiums, sports activities, folklore festivals, ceremonies, and trips to various geographic locations.
4. Offering financial support for students, prisoners and families of martyrs.
5. Participating in the commencement of graduates since 1977.

Housing Project of Alumni Association of Bethlehem University

As a result of the increasing number of immigrants from among the qualified Alumni, caused by the difficult political, social, and economic conditions, the Alumni Association established its first housing project in 1991 for 288 graduates with limited income. In 1996 the Alumni Association started construction and President Yaser Arafat inaugurated the housing project. 

Furthermore, the Alumni Association establishing another 250 housing units. In spite of the hard economical condition, Alumni Association believes that one should first depend on his / her own possibilities rather than depending on others for help.

All funds for the construction of housing units comes from Alumni themselves, despite the harsh political & economic realities. Any assistance from the international community towards this endeavor will contribute towards stability & the improvement of living conditions in the Bethlehem area.

Future Plans

1. Alumni Association is going on with the construction of houses, in order to ensure that Palestinians remain in Bethlehem.
2. The Alumni Association is supporting social and sports activities in order to strengthen relationships and corporation between graduates and Palestinian institutions in the country.
3. The Alumni Association is about to establish a center for research and scientific studies; and to take care of economical, social, psychological, educational and historical issues to serve scientific developments.
4. The Alumni Association is planning to establish a model school and kindergarten practicing operating on contemporary educational methods.

Address:

P.O.Box 9

Bethlehem

Telephone and Fax: + 972 (2) 277 0391

E-Mail: alumni@p-ol.com

1) Nabil Mufdi, Director of the Institute of Hotel Management & Tourism
2) Jacqueline Sfeir, Dean of the Education Faculty
3) Fouad Bannoura, Chemistry Department
4) Irene Hazou, Mathematics Teacher
5) Adnan Shqueir, Biology Teacher
6) Elsa Hazboun, Personnel Director
7) Jamal Abed Rabbo, Manager of the Social & Cultural Center
8) Rima Dabdoub, English Teacher
9) Firial Bannoura, Chemistry Lab Assistant
10) Nihad Joubran, Supervisor of the Computer Center
11) Deif Allah Othman, English Language Teacher
12) Gladys Mansour, Administrative Assistant, Finance Office
13) Norma Musleh, English Language Teacher
14) Habib Kurt, Institute of Hotel Management & Tourism
15) Sawsan Shomali, English Literature Teacher
16) Sami Kirreh, English Language Teacher
17) Jamil Koussa, Part-time Accounting Teacher
18) Hala Yamani, Education Teacher (On Leave)
19) Husam Wahhab, Accounting Teacher 
20) Vera Baboun, English Literature Teacher
21) Samir Hodali, Religious Studies Teacher 
22) Imad Abu Dayyeh, English Language Teacher
23) Hanan Saca-Hazboun, Nursing Teacher 
24) Khader Juma', English Language Teacher
25) Amal Abu Nijmeh, Nursing Teacher
26) Hala Marzouka, Head of the Arabic Technical Services at the Library
27) Hanna Sahhar, Director of the Institute for Community Partnership (On Leave)
28) George Maria, Audio Visual Head Assistant
29) Fadi Kattan, Chairperson of the Accounting Department, Business Faculty
30) Salam El-Issa, Nursing Teacher
31) Reem Zeitoun, Chief Analysts, WESRU
32) Nabil Rishmawi, Part-time Accounting Teacher
33) Nancy Elias, Education Teacher
34) Rula Al-Alam, Secretary
35) Wa'el Nazzal, Accountant
36) Rana Abu Sa'da, Secretary
37) Zein Al-'Abdeen Awawdeh, Arabic Language Teacher
38) Esperansa Hodali-Kattan, Administrative Assistant, Academic Vice President Office
39) Rania Canawati-Hazboun, Registrar Office
40) Ibrahim Nuaimi, Supervisor of the Computer Lab
41) Valerie Rock, Librarian
42) Manal Al-Kassis, Administrative Assistant, Business Development Center
43) Bassem Tafesh, Part-time Education Teacher
44) Hanan Murra-Nastas, Secretary
45) Vera Koussa, Head of English Section, Library
46) Maro Karkar, Biology Lab Assistant
47) Sahar Hanania, Secretary, Arabic and Social Science Departments
48) Amani Abu Sa'da, Biotechnology Center 
49) Wasim Zoughbi, Hard-ware and Soft-ware Assistant, Computer Center
50) Manal Abed Rabbo, WESRU
51) Michael Sansour, UNESCO Biotechnology Research Center
52) Mahmoud Breigeith, Math Teacher
53) Francoise Daoud, Nursing Teacher
54) Jeries Alawi, Facilitator, Early Childhood Program (School Development Project)
55) Hiam Alawi, Facilitator, Early Childhood Program (School Development Project)
56) Mounira Rizek, Arabic Teacher
57) Asma' Shahin, Arabic Teacher
58) Imad Jaber, English teacher
59) Mousa Rabadi, Business Teacher
60) Caroline Murra, Registrar Office
61) Mary Juha, Registrar 
62) Valentina Al-'Ama, Accountant, School Development Project
63) Amani Juha, Coffee Shop