On Monday, 24 February 2025, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University had the honor of hosting Mr. Munib Al Masri, Founder of the Munib & Angela Masri Foundation (MAF), along with his team: Ms. Ruba Al-Ghadban, Executive Director; Mr. Ziad Abu Rdeneh, Projects Manager; and Ms. Shahd Fsteitieh, Media and Communications Officer.
The delegation was warmly received by Dr. Fadi Kattan, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, and Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Founder and Director of PIBS. Also in attendance were university and PIBS representatives, including University Architect Lina Al Araj; Shahinda Nassar from the Advancement Office; Jessie Qumsiyeh, PIBS Co-founder; Amal Handal, Institutional Promotion Associate; and PIBS Deputy Directors Mohammad Najajreh and Victor Kawwas.
The visit included a tour of the museum expansion project, which aims to transform the current 110m² exhibit space into a 1,360m² national-level natural history museum—the first of its kind in Palestine. This ambitious initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Munib & Angela Masri Foundation, alongside funding from the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program.
In addition to reviewing the progress of the expansion, discussions explored avenues for further collaboration, including the potential establishment of a similar center in the Gaza Strip. The visit underscored the shared commitment to education, research, and environmental conservation, reinforcing the fruitful partnership that continues to drive the museum’s growth.
