History of Bethlehem University

Bethlehem University had its beginnings in 1972 when the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Pio Laghi, formed a committee of heads of schools in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to study the possibility of establishing an institution of higher learning which would offer a broad education in arts and sciences.

Subsequently, on October 1, 1973, Bethlehem University was founded with the administrative cooperation of the De La Salle Brothers (FSC). The University opened in buildings on Frères Street with 17,000 square meters of surrounding property leased from the De La Salle Brothers. For more than a century the Brothers have conducted schools in this area and in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. In the United States, the Brothers administer seven colleges and universities which have extensive undergraduate and graduate programs.

Beginning with 112 students during its first year the enrollment of the University increased steadily reaching 1,000 in the Fall of 1981 and 1,500 by 1987. Facilities were added during that period to meet the needs of the growing student body. The entire university was first housed in a 1893 school building on the site belonging to the Brothers. During the late 1970s a Science Building and a Library were added.

The faculty also grew in response to the increased numbers. Well qualified Palestinians with advanced degrees staffed most of the positions at the university. With increasing size the internal organization also changed and Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Business and Nursing and an Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism were organized.

Bethlehem University was under a military closure order from October 1987 until October, 1990. During this time classes were held in off-campus locations. After the return to the campus in 1990 the first graduation was held in the new Social and Cultural Center in July 1991 at which 517 students graduated. Today the university has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students most of whom are full time. In order to house the growing student body, additional property and a building next to the campus has been acquired and entered service in the Fall of 1995. Students and graduates of Bethlehem University are accepted in Arab, European and American universities.

The purpose of Bethlehem University is to provide a center of higher learning easily accessible to promising young students in the West Bank and Gaza, thereby making it possible for them to obtain quality higher education. The university, a coeducational institution open to students of all faiths, is sponsored by the Vatican.

The University is a private institution of higher learning, incorporated under the law and guided by a board of trustees and a chancellor. It maintains full accordance with the system of education in the Middle East and has been a member of the Association of Arab Universities since May 1981. Bachelor degrees are awarded in the Arts, Education, Business Administration, Science, and Nursing. Diplomas are awarded in Hotel Management, Tourism for Peace, Travel Agency, Tour Guide, in addition to Midwifery, Neonatal Nursing, Education, and Catechetics.