The Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University is excited to announce its membership in the Red Mundial de Museos Lasallian, a significant milestone that enhances its commitment to promoting Palestine’s unique natural heritage on a global scale. As one of only 24 museums in this esteemed network, the museum gains valuable opportunities for […]
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Visits Palestine Natural History Museum
His Excellency Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, paid a visit to the Palestine Museum of Natural History on Saturday, 24 August 2024. He was warmly welcomed by Brother Hernán Santos, Vice Chancellor, Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Advancement, and Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh and his wife, Mrs. Jessie Qumsiyeh, founders of the Palestine […]
Progress on the Renovation of the New Palestine Museum of Natural History
The Palestine Museum of Natural History is undergoing a significant expansion project. The existing building is being renovated to add 1,300 square meters of museum space, significantly enhancing its capacity to showcase Palestine’s rich natural heritage. On Thursday, 27 June 2024, the museum held coordination meetings to move the project forward. The museum team collaborated […]
Summer Camp Visits to Palestine Museum of Natural History
The Palestine Museum of Natural History hosted over 250 children from four different summer camp groups last week. During their visit, the children participated in a variety of activities, including guided tours of PMNH’s natural history and ethnography exhibits, as well as explorations of the botanical garden. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, discovering new […]
Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) – Palestine Museum of Natural History
About PIBS/PMNH The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University, was founded by the generosity of Prof. Mazin Qumsieyh and his wife Jessie Chang who also volunteer full-time at the institute. The vision is to enhance and promote the sustainability of human and natural communities. The mission is to research, educate about, [...]
New Exhibit Opens at Palestine Museum of Natural History
The Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University in partnership with Masar Ibrahim Al-Khalil held an opening ceremony of the Ethnography Exhibit under the patronage of Bethlehem Governor, Mr. Kamel Hamid, on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. Dr. Michael Sansur, Executive Vice President, emphasized the role of Bethlehem University in promoting cultural work through academic […]
Biodiversity and hope flourish at Palestine’s first natural history museum
Link: https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/biodiversity-and-hope-flourish-palestines-first-natural-history-museum From: Middle East Eye By Megan Giovannetti in Bethlehem, occupied West Bank The museum’s vision is of a sustainable community where humans and nature work and live together harmoniously Dr Mazin Qumsiyeh is sitting under the spring sun in the garden of Palestine’s first and only museum of natural history, proud of what […]
Cultural Heritage Protection Project Launched at the Palestine Museum of Natural History
The Palestine Museum of Natural History – Bethlehem University held a launching event for the “Building the Capacity to Protect the Palestinian Land and Heritage through Museology and Ecotourism” Project on Tuesday, 27 November 2018. The project is funded by the British Council through the Cultural Protection Fund and is implemented by the Museum in […]
Research, Education and Conservation at Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) has achieved significant milestones across its three core areas: research, education, and conservation, over the past week. Research: Researchers from PIBS undertook two overnight field trips to document regional biodiversity. The first trip focused on Wadi Qana-Salfit and Marj Sanour-Jenin, while the second explored the Northern Jordan […]
First Conference on Biodiversity and Human Diversity in Palestine
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University (PIBS-BU) held the “First Palestinian Conference on Biodiversity and Human Diversity in Palestine” on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. This conference is one of the activities of the “Unity Diversity in Nature and Society” project, funded by the European Union Peacebuilding Initiative (EUPI), and implemented in […]
Hsieh-Fang Chang, M.Sc.
Palestine Museum of Natural History / Faculty of Science
Educational Activities to Promote Environmental Awareness at PIBS
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability remains dedicated to engaging the community through a variety of weekly activities, each introducing new topics and reaching diverse audiences. On Thursday, 31 October 2024, they hosted a webinar titled “Priorities and Strategy for Action on Environment in Crisis: Street-Proven Design and Lessons for Palestine.” This session, part […]
Environmental Education at PIBS
During the week of 29 July, the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) team was actively engaged in advancing environmental education through a series of activities. Through its Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH), the institute hosted two summer camp visits, directly interacting with 40 children from the Bethlehem Governorate. The children explored the […]
Environmental Education at PIBS
During the week of 22 July 2024, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) team actively engaged the community through a series of enriching educational activities, demonstrating their commitment to environmental education. A key highlight was an online workshop titled “Echolocation: The Language of Bats,” presented by Professor Zuhair Amr from Jordan University of Science […]
Bethlehem University Concludes the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Dedicates New Building
In conclusion of Bethlehem University’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, a dedication ceremony for the new Students and Visitors Building, named the “Georgette Salameh Center,” was held on campus. This momentous occasion was marked by a grand celebration, attended by local and international dignitaries, on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in front of the university’s Millennium Building. The […]
An Interview with Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh and Mohammad Najajreh
Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh teaches and does research at Bethlehem University and Birzeit University. A Palestinian born in Beit Sahour, he is the founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University. He previously served on the faculties of the University of […]
MEMO in conversation with Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh
Link: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210520-memo-in-conversation-with-prof-mazin-qumsiyeh/ From: MEMO Middle East Monitor Qumsiyeh has published well over 150 scientific papers on topics ranging from cultural heritage to biodiversity in addition to several books.May 20, 2021 at 1:22 pm | Published in: Israel, MEMO in Conversation With, Middle East, Palestine, Videos & Photo Stories Watch our conversation with Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh […]
“New Year, New Fun” Educational Events at PMNH
Since 2020 has been a difficult year for everybody, the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability (PBIS) started an educational series for children titled “New Year, New Fun” which aims to relieve some of the pandemic stress and connect children with nature. The year began with a “Find it, Stick it” scavenger hunt on 15 […]
Biogas Unit constructed by PIBS Volunteers
Volunteers at Bethlehem University built a Biogas Unit at the Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS). The PIBS and its EU-funded Biodiversity Center continue to develop usable modules for education and for saving our environment. In this case, organic waste (such as kitchen waste) is digested by anaerobic bacteria (without oxygen) which then produce Methane […]
Bethlehem University, Environment Quality Authority Sign MoU
Bethlehem University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Environment Quality Authority on Monday, 07 December 2020, at the Palestine Museum of Natural History. The Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray and the Head of the Environment Quality Authority Mr. Jameel Mattor signed the MoU in the presence of the Director General of Natural Resources […]
Professor Qumsiyeh Donates Award Money to PIBS, Bethlehem University
Prof. Mazin B. Qumsiyeh, Director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) and the Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University received the prestigious “2020 Paul K. Feyerabend Award – A World of Solidarity is Possible.” Prof. Qumsiyeh said he accepted the award on behalf of the team at the Palestine Institute […]
Dean of Research – Bethlehem University Journal
Home Announcements Services Faculty Accomplishments Bethlehem University Journal About the Journal Bethlehem University Journal (ISSN 2410-5449) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal published annually by the Office of the Dean of Research at Bethlehem University. Starting 2019, Bethlehem University Journal (BUJ) will be published twice a year. BUJ welcomes original articles and publishes special issues on [...]
About the Center
About the Center Using largely volunteer efforts and local donations, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) and its offspring, the Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and ecological botanical gardens at Bethlehem University were started in 2014. PMNH opened to the public in 2017 and its cultural heritage exhibit (first of its kind [...]
PIBS Organizes Community-Focused Educational Activities
During the week of 21 October 2024, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) organized a series of educational activities focused on the community, aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and fostering sustainability. On Monday, 21 October 2024, PIBS visited Bardala Girls’ Secondary School and Kardala Basic School. This visit marked the conclusion of their […]
Training Workshops to Support Women’s Environmental Center in Nahalin
In a powerful collaboration that reflects Bethlehem University’s commitment to community development and sustainability, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS), alongside Women Media and Development/TAM and the Nahalin Municipality, launched a transformative initiative: a series of training workshops to establish a Women’s Environmental Center in Nahalin. This center aims to empower women, provide […]
Empowering Women for Water Conservation: PIBS Workshop
On 28 September 2024, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University, in collaboration with Women of the Sun, hosted a workshop for women from marginalized Palestinian communities. The event focused on practical solutions to water shortages, beginning with a hands-on session where participants learned to make biodegradable detergents. These eco-friendly alternatives […]
Bethlehem University Student Successfully Defends Master’s Thesis on eDNA Biodiversity Assessment
Linda Handal successfully defended her Master’s thesis in the Biotechnology program at the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) on Friday, September 20, 2024. Her thesis, titled “Biodiversity Assessment of Wetlands in Palestine Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding,” was supervised by Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh, with Dr. Omar Dar Issa as the internal supervisor and […]
Community Engagement at PIBS
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) continues to engage with the community through a range of regular and diverse activities, each week featuring new topics and beneficiaries. This week, on Thursday, 8 August 2024, they hosted a webinar titled “Management Plan for Protected Areas (PAs) Containing Wetlands in the Jordan Valley, Palestine,” aimed […]
Munib and Angela Al-Masri Foundation’s Visit to PIBS
On Wednesday, 17 July 2024, The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) had the privilege of hosting Ms. Ruba Al-Ghadban, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Munib and Angela Almasri Foundation (MAMF), and Mr. Ziad Abu Erdeeneh, Projects Manager at MAMF. During their visit, they toured PIBS’s renovation project, which aims to transform […]
PIBS’s Weekly Children Educational Activities
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability organized its weekly educational activity for children. During the event, the children played environmental games developed in-house at PIBS, including a Snakes and Ladders game designed to teach about sustainable living and reducing climate change. They also participated in fun competitions, learning interesting facts about fruits, vegetables, and […]
500 Students Explore Palestinian Biodiversity at PIBS
The Palestine Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with Caritas Jerusalem, successfully concluded a series of educational programs for children. Over eight visits, they welcomed 500 students and members of scout groups. This initiative focused on introducing participants to the rich biodiversity of Palestine, with a particular emphasis on the Al-Makhrour region. The program also […]
Kids Club Summer Camp Visits PIBS
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University is ready for another exciting summer of environmental education! With the arrival of summer, PIBS is welcoming numerous camp and scout groups to raise awareness about environmental issues. The first group to visit PIBS was the Kids Club Summer Camp, a group of 32 […]
Lifegate Rehabilitation Center Visits PIBS
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University, in collaboration with Caritas Jerusalem, is conducting a series of educational activities titled “Empowering Future Generations.” Through a series of educational activities, school students visit the institute and explore its various sections, including the natural history and ethnography museums, and the botanical garden. The goal […]
Interactive Workshop on Endangered Species for Children
In commemoration of International Day for Endangered Species, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University organized a special learning activity for children on Friday, 17 May 2024. The children learned about endangered species in Palestine, the threats leading to their endangerment, and ways to protect them. They played an interactive game to […]
Bethlehem University Empowers Future Generations Through Sustainability Education
The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University, in collaboration with Caritas Jerusalem, is conducting a series of educational activities titled “Empowering Future Generations.” Through a series of educational activities, school students visit the institute and explore its various sections, including the natural history and ethnography museums, and the botanical garden. The goal […]
IBC2-Conference Themes
Home Scientific Committee Conference Themes Speakers Program Conference Themes Palestinian cultural heritage under settler colonialism in Palestine, during the Zionist genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, and the displacement of Palestinian villages in 1948 • The Zionist genocidal war in Gaza against the Palestinian cultural heritage • Colonial settlement and the destruction of the tangible [...]
The Second Bethlehem International Conference Speakers
Home Scientific Committee Conference Themes Speakers Program Conference Speakers Day OneDay TwoDay One Mazen Iwaisi Mazen Iwaisi completed his PhD at Queen's University Belfast in the UK, focusing on the concept of archaeo-politics in the making of the Palestinian National Spatial Plan (PNSP). His research delves into the relationship between archaeology, cultural heritage in spatial [...]
The Second Bethlehem International Conference – Program
Home Scientific Committee Conference Themes Speakers Program Conference Program Day OneDay TwoDay One Tuesday, 19 November 2024 8:30 – 9:00 Registration Opening and Welcome Welcoming remarks of the Vice Chancellor, Bethlehem University, Dr. Br. Hernan Santos Address by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity Address of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and head of [...]
Second Bethlehem International Conference: Call for papers
Palestinian Archaeology and Cultural Heritage: Towards Preserving Our Heritage and Confronting Its Destruction Location: Bethlehem University, 5 Freres Street, Bethlehem, Palestine Conference date: October 9-10, 2024 The Second Bethlehem International Conference: Palestinian Cultural Heritage The Second Bethlehem International Conference addresses the important topic of Palestinian cultural heritage. The call for this conference coincides with the […]
International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Prof. Dr. Iman Saca, Vice President Designate for Academic Affairs at Bethlehem University, was invited to give a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (ICAANE) that was held in Copenhagen, from 22 to 26 May 2023. She delivered her speech in the Ceremonial […]
Bachelor of Science in Technology for Environmental Sustainability
Introduction In this era where we face huge environmental challenges created by humans, we humans must overcome these challenges via an education that is focused on humans working through the issues towards solving them themselves, making people “agents of their own recuperation”. Environmental education is correlated with economic development in nations. The new Palestinian National […]
Green Tourism Hackathon
14-16 March 2023 TIH – Tourism Innovation Hub powered by Bethlehem Business Incubator and Yunus Social Business Centre at Bethlehem University in partnership with UNESCO organized a 3 days Green Tourism hackathon for 33 participants (14 males & 19 females) that aimed to support and encourage youth entrepreneurs to develop green startups in the tourism […]
PIBS library adopts Library of Congress System
This week, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability – Bethlehem University (PIBS-BU) concluded the integration of the Library of Congress classification system into the PIBS library. The PIBS library is one of the facilities available at the institute for people to come, enjoy, and benefit from. This opportunity is especially good for university students […]
The International Bethlehem Conference
Bethlehem UniversityThe Faculty of Arts / The Office of the Dean of ResearchArchaeology and Cultural Heritage Program Call for Papers 2023The International Bethlehem ConferenceBethlehem: History, Archaeology and Cultural HeritageVenue: Bethlehem University, 5 Frère Street, Bethlehem, Palestine ConferenceDate: 9-10 March 2023 The Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program at Bethlehem University is pleased to announce the international [...]
Sara Khair
Faculty of Science / Department of Biology / Palestine Museum of Natural History
Grand Opening of the Biodiversity Center
The Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University organized an opening ceremony for the recently established Biodiversity Center on Monday, 21 June 2021, within the Unity and Diversity in Nature and Society project funded by the European Union. Project Manager, Linda Majaj, welcomed the guests and gave introductory remarks. Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray […]
Opening of the Biodiversity Center & Future Conversations at Bethlehem
Link: http://www.defenddemocracy.press/opening-of-the-biodiversity-center-future-conversations-at-bethlehem/ From: Defend Democracy Press We had a grand opening of the Biodiversity Center at the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University this morning. Linda Majaj, Project manager MC’d the event and gave introductory remarks. We heard from Joris Heeren, the EU representative as well as from Brother Peter Bray (Vice-Chancellor […]
Webinar: The Palestinian Innovation Ecosystem and Research Opportunities
The Office of the Dean of Research and the Research Council organized a webinar on a Swiss initiative that aims at enhancing the Palestinian innovation ecosystem and the opportunities for research development, collaboration, and partnership with the private sector. Several faculty and staff members attended the webinar which was held virtually via Google Meet on […]
MRTS Courses
MRTS Home General Objectives Description of Courses Program Admission Enrollment Procedure MRTS Courses Description of Courses MRTS 510-The Tourism System (3 credit hours) This course is designed to give students a clear idea about tourism as a system. It will provide a foundation in tourism principles, practice, and processes for an interdisciplinary, graduate audience in [...]
Dean of Research – Faculty Accomplishments
Home Announcements Services Faculty Accomplishments Faculty AccomplishmentFaculty of ScienceFaculty of ArtsFaculty of NursingFaculty of EducationHotel ManagementFaculty of BusinessOthersFaculty of Science 2023 Accomplishments Dr. Michel Hanania, Dean of Science and Chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, had his co-authored article titled, "Comparison of Total Phenolic content, total flavonoid content, Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity and content of [...]
Mohammad Najajrah, M.Sc.
Palestine Museum of Natural History
Mazin Qumsiyeh, Ph.D.
Faculty of Science/Palestine Museum of Natural History
Institutes & Centers
Bethlehem Business Incubator Institute for Community Engagement & Partnership (ICP) Water and Soil Environmental Research Unit (WSERU) Italian Exam Center (PLIDA) Brother Vincent Melhem Center Arabic School for Foreigners Library Turathuna: George Nasra Center for Palestinian Heritage Pearson Select Testing Center Hereditary Research Laboratory Palestine Museum of Natural History Bethlehem University Tourism Insistute Dr. Said [...]
Korean Delegation on Campus for a Visit
The Korean Representative to Palestine, H.E. Young-sam Choi, and a delegation from the Representative’s Office visited Bethlehem University on Monday, 21 May 2018. Brother Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor, Brother Denis Loft, Vice President for Advancement, Dr. Irene Hazou, Academic Vice President, and Dr. Mazin Qumsieh, Director of Palestine Museum of Natural History, welcomed the delegation […]
Colloquium on Violence
The Office of Coordinator of Institutional Values and the Religious Studies Department held a colloquium entitled “Violence: How it forms us and how we can be self-critical about it” on Thursday, 3 May 2018. Brother Peter Iorlano, the Coordinator of Institutional Values, welcomed the attendees and hoped that the colloquium will enable the audience to […]