As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen national partnerships and support the steadfastness of the city of Jerusalem and its people, Bethlehem University has signed a cooperation agreement with the Qatari Permanent Committee for the Support of Jerusalem during an official visit by the committee’s delegation to the university campus.

The delegation was received by Dr. Fadi Kattan, Executive Vice President of the University; Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Advancement; and Sister Corazon Marielou Hinlo, Vice President for Finance.

The visiting delegation was headed by Major General Bilal Al-Natsheh, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Popular Conference for Jerusalem and Secretary of the Qatari Permanent Committee for the Support of Jerusalem, along with several committee members and accompanying officials.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Kattan welcomed the delegation and expressed the university’s pride in this visit, which comes as part of the long-standing and strong relationship between Bethlehem University and Jerusalem and its supporting institutions. Dr. Kattan emphasized the importance of this collaboration, especially given the difficult circumstances faced by students from Jerusalem in their pursuit of quality higher education. He pointed out that approximately 37 per cent of the university’s students are from Jerusalem, placing a great national and social responsibility on the university.

Dr. Kattan thanked the Qatari Permanent Committee for its continuous support of the university, stressing that this support directly contributes to empowering students and enhancing their educational opportunities.

For his part, Major General Bilal Al-Natsheh expressed his deep appreciation for the educational and national role played by Bethlehem University, affirming that the committee views the university as a key partner in supporting education in Jerusalem and in strengthening the Palestinian national identity through academic institutions. He noted that this cooperation is part of a comprehensive plan to support Palestinian institutions that serve Jerusalemite students and provide them with a safe and motivating educational environment.

Dr. Kattan also presented the university’s future vision, its development projects, and the challenges it faces, particularly with regard to its plans for academic, technological, and infrastructural advancement.

Both parties discussed future prospects for cooperation between the university and the committee, and explored ways to expand support into broader areas. The meeting concluded with the signing of the agreement, which forms an institutional framework for future collaboration between the two sides. The agreement represents a new pillar in the journey of support for Jerusalem, as both parties affirmed their shared commitment to continued cooperation and coordination in serving students from Jerusalem and supporting Palestinian higher education amid current challenges.

This agreement marks an important milestone in the partnership between Bethlehem University and the Qatari Permanent Committee for the Support of Jerusalem, and serves as a practical embodiment of the shared vision to reinforce the resilience of Jerusalem and its institutions, and to support the city’s students in their educational and social journey.