Birzeit University and the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Birzeit University and the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Birzeit University, represented by its President Dr. Talal Shawan, and the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution, represented by its Board Chairman and Minister of National Economy Khaled Al-Asili, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, to enhance joint cooperation.

The MoU, developed between Birzeit University’s Business Development Unit and the Standards and Metrology Institution, outlines cooperation in organizing and holding seminars, courses, and conferences on standards and quality. It also includes collaboration in preparing joint studies and research, as well as joint training programs for staff and students.

The university commits to offering two scholarships annually, each covering 50% of the tuition fees, to employees of the Standards and Metrology Institution wishing to pursue a master’s degree. Meanwhile, the institution will contribute by providing important testing devices to the Testing Center at Birzeit University.

Attending the signing from Birzeit University were Dr. Wael Al-Hashlamoun, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Rana Khateeb, Vice President for Planning and Development; Dr. Abdel Latif Al-Husseini, Vice President for Community Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Haniyeh, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research; Ms. Nadine Sankarat, Director of the Business Development Unit; and several university staff members.

From the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution, attendees included Eng. Haider Hajjeh, Director General; Eng. Ahmed Al-Ahmad, Director of Technical Services; Mr. Ali Shaheen, Director of Media and Public Relations; Mr. Magdy Hamdan, Director of Financial and Administrative Affairs; Eng. Reem Al-Barghouthi, Director of Cooperation and International Relations; Eng. Shorouq Marqatin, Director of Quality and Qualification; and several other institution staff.

Dr. Shawan expressed his happiness about this cooperation, emphasizing that it will serve the local community. He stated that Birzeit University seeks to establish strong relations with national institutions to work jointly for the benefit of the country in general and to empower youth in particular, through a strategic approach aimed at advancing academic programs, community services, and scientific research.

He added that this MoU responds to the shared strategic goals between the university and the institution, aiming to expand effective cooperation between Palestinian institutions, which will yield positive outcomes for both parties and the Palestinian society.

On his part, Minister Al-Asili congratulated Dr. Shawan on his appointment as university president, praising the university’s excellence and its national, societal, and academic role. He expressed his happiness with signing the MoU, noting that it aligns with the institution’s strategy to strengthen cooperation with various governmental, private, and civil society institutions to unify national efforts in promoting a culture of quality as a national responsibility.

Al-Asili also praised the importance of cooperation and coordination with government bodies to benefit from the institution’s sensitive and high-value role, contributing to the development of the national economy, consumer protection, and enhancing the competitiveness of Palestinian products.

Additionally, the Director General of the Standards and Metrology Institution, Eng. Haider Hajjeh, and President Dr. Talal Shawan signed an annex to the MoU aimed at providing essential testing devices for the Testing Center at Birzeit University. The first device provided was a Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) device for pesticide residue testing, which will enable precise tests for pesticide residues in food, detection of toxic substances in food, environmental, and pharmaceutical samples, among others, as well as supporting various scientific research applications.

Eng. Hajjeh added that the institution will provide the university with the latest edition of Palestinian standards issued by various technical committees free of charge. In addition, the institution will offer calibration services free of charge to the university’s laboratories.

He emphasized that, based on the MoU, cooperation will take place in training and information exchange through sharing specifications and quality-related information, organizing joint field visits to learn about the technical procedures relevant to each party. Eng. Hajjeh confirmed the institution’s readiness to cooperate with Birzeit University in implementing the MoU’s provisions and expressed pride in the university’s scientific and technical competencies.