At a 27 January ceremony at the French Consulate in Jerusalem, the Consul-General of France, H.E. Jean de Gliniasty presented Dr. Gabi Baramki of Birzeit University, and Mr. Khalil Mahshi of the Friends Schools in Ramallah, with awards honoring their service to Palestinian education.

The Ministry of National Education in France has officially named Dr. Baramki as an "Officer des Palmes Academiques" and Mr. Mahshi as a "Chevalier des Palmes Academiques." They are the first Palestinian educators to receive such a honor from the French government.

During the ceremony, Dr. Baramki expressed his appreciation for the "lifeline" of international cooperation extended by the French government and French educational institutions in supporting Palestinian education. He noted: "I find it appropriate that this award recalls a palm tree... Just as the palm tree does not flourish alone, a perseon working in education needs to cooperate with others to bear fruit... this award honors that collaborative enterprise to develop our educational institutions and serve our Palestinian community even under the most adverse circumstances."

Dr. Baramki is currently on a sabbatical year and has travelled extensively on behalf of the University, promoting international academic exchange and cooperation.