Bethlehem University is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Special Mention in the 2024 edition of the prestigious Uniservitate Global Award for Service-Learning in Catholic Higher Education.
Bethlehem University was represented in the competition by four initiatives, two of which made it to the final round and earned the honorable Special Mention: The first initiative, “Global Citizenship, Sustainability, and Service Learning,” was submitted by the Department of English and Communication. The second initiative, “Health Awareness Programs – Nursing and Midwifery Students’ Activities for Coursework,” was submitted by the Department of Nursing and Midwifery.
Contributions of the Department of English and Communication:
The team of the Department of English and Communication at Bethlehem University, overseen by Mr. Ramzi Asali and including Mr. Ramzi Asali, Mr. Layth Awwad, and Ms. Ruba Ayyad, submitted a cluster of ten projects under the theme “Global Citizenship, Sustainability, and Education” conducted across four main courses: “Advocacy,” “Public Relations,” “Intercultural Communication,” and “Digital Communication.”
The projects were conducted in collaboration with notable international and local organizations. These collaborations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and underscored the importance of intercultural communication, global citizenship, and international cooperation in achieving the SDGs in Palestine. All projects were guided from conception through needs assessment, implementation, and post-project evaluation by the three instructors. In addition, guidelines and rubrics were developed to ensure that students executed their projects effectively, efficiently, and in a manner that is safe, sensitive, and ethically sound.
Mr. Ramzi Asali guided five projects focusing on advocacy, intercultural communication, and partnerships with international organizations. One notable project was a virtual cultural exchange program between Bethlehem University and the University of Montana in the USA, in which students played a primary role in the coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of the eight sessions of the program. Another notable project, in collaboration with the Italian NGO EducAid, aimed at bridging the digital divide among people with vision impairment in Bethlehem.
Mr. Layth Awwad guided two digital communications projects focused on social awareness campaigns. The first raised awareness about body shaming, fostering open discussion and acceptance of all body types on campus. The second aimed to create a litter-free campus by raising awareness about littering, promoting the SDGs.
Ms. Ruba Ayyad guided two projects that addressed mental health issues and the coping mechanisms of children and parents affected by the brutal war on Gaza, emphasizing advocacy and international solidarity in addressing these important issues. In addition, a collaborative environmental project was guided by Mr. Asali and Mr. Awwad, and spanned across two courses, highlighting the importance of cumulative skills development and continuity in service learning.
The team facilitated the involvement of 32 students in these projects. The beneficiary community varied by project. Most of the projects focused on Bethlehem University students and the local community in the Bethlehem area. Digital campaigns focused on wider audiences, primarily the Palestinian people, but also relevant global audiences.
The service-learning projects have equipped students with a range of key skills, such as advocacy, networking with grassroots organizations, intercultural competence, partnerships and coalition building, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, conducting needs assessments, and the use of digital media tools for advocacy and awareness. In addition, the students have gained a heightened sense of empowerment, fulfillment, and agency in driving positive social change.
For more information and multimedia about the projects, please visit the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559534520001
Contributions of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Department:
Under the supervision of Dr. Hanan Saca-Hazboun, Ms. Amal Abu Nijmeh/Fakhouri, and Ms. Fatmeh Madani/ Hammad in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Department, students carried out several service-learning projects titled “Health Awareness Programs – Students’ Activities for Course Work.”
The midwifery students, under the supervision of Ms. Hammad in the Health Promotion course, conducted health awareness campaigns about breast cancer and cervical cancer in cooperation with Dr. Saca-Hazboun and the local non-governmental organization “Al-Maha Cancer Society.” High school girls in local schools, women in the camps, and rural dwellers were reached out and educated about breast and cervical cancer, as well as breast cancer screening.
The second project was conducted within the Pediatric Nursing course under the supervision of Ms. Abu Nijmeh in different rehabilitation institutions and kindergartens in Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Hebron. The aim of the project was to enhance pediatric health, family health literacy, and community resilience by equipping parents, caregivers, and children with the required knowledge and skills to effectively manage common childhood emergencies.
Finally, under the supervision of Ms. Hammad, the midwifery students created academic videos about women’s health and posted them on social media platforms. These films teach women how to give birth in crises without any medical support, and also raise awareness about various women’s health issues.
Participation of students in health community activities has been very effective. Applying the theoretical knowledge of students to real-world situations has improved the teaching-learning process. In addition, it significantly improved the students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, management, and leadership skills. The experience has also fostered civic virtues, increased social responsibility, strengthened communication abilities, and boosted the self-confidence of the students.
For more information and multimedia about the projects, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/wisewomenmidwif?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.instagram.com/with.you.and.for.you?igsh=eTFzdDQyaGM1eHk0&utm_source=qr
https://www.facebook.com/bsehatknabda?mibextid=LQQJ4d
