Bethlehem University had the honor of welcoming Palestinian businessman Mr. Hammad Al Harazeen on Thursday, 27 February 2025, alongside his team. Greeted by by Brother Hernán Santos, FSC, PhD, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, along with members of the Executive Council and the Board of Trustees, in addition to the Deputy Governor of Bethlehem Governorate, Brigadier General Dawood Al-Hamari, the Mayor of Beit Sahour, Dr. Elias As’aed, as well as several academic and administrative staff members and university students.
Brother Hernán expressed his gratitude to Mr. Al Harazeen, emphasizing that this collaboration represents a significant milestone for Bethlehem University and will greatly contribute to encouraging the study of science and engineering at the university.
Mr. Al Harazeen affirmed that his support for this project stems from his deep belief in the importance of education in equipping Palestinian society with skilled professionals capable of advancing, developing, and shaping the future. He also stressed the importance of linking the educational process with the business sector.
During his visit, Mr. Al Harazeen toured various university facilities and visited the proposed site for the construction of the new building for the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Engineering which will be established through his generous donation.
It is worth noting that Bethlehem University currently offers a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering in collaboration with the Salesian Vocational Training Center in Bethlehem, and additional engineering programs will be introduced in the future.
During a formal signing ceremony held at the Ramallah Municipality on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Brother Hernán and Mr. Al Harazeen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to establish and build the Hammad Al Harazeen Faculty of Engineering, Applied Sciences, and Technology at Bethlehem University.
Bethlehem University was represented by Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD, Vice President for Advancement, and Dr. Iman Saca, Academic Vice President.
One of the exciting aspects of this new initiative is the partnership between Bethlehem University and ECAM LaSalle, the internationally renowned engineering university in Lyon, France that will enable students at Bethlehem University to earn an internationally accredited Master Degree in Engineering from ECAM LaSalle.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to empowering Palestinian students through world-class engineering education and fostering global competitiveness.
