Birzeit University

Birzeit University (Arabic: جامعة بيرزيت) is a public university in the West Bank, Palestine, registered by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs as a charitable organization. It is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and located in the outskirts of Birzeit, near Ramallah. Established in 1924 as an elementary school for girls, Birzeit became a university in 1975.

Birzeit University offers graduate and undergraduate programs in information technology, engineering, sciences, social policy, arts, law, nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, economics, and management. It has 9 faculties, including a graduate faculty. These offer 76 Bachelor of Arts programs for undergraduate students and 39 Master of Arts programs for graduate students. As of 2020, more than 15,000 students are enrolled in the university's bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs.

For five consecutive years, Birzeit University has retained its position as the top university in Palestine and is ranked among the best fifty universities in the Arab region according to the 2019 QS Arab Region University Rankings.

Birzeit University was founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir (1891–1951) as an elementary school for girls from Birzeit and the surrounding villages, under the name Birzeit School for Girls. It was one of the first schools in the region. In 1930, it broadened its scope to become a co-educational secondary school, and in 1932, it was renamed Birzeit Higher School. In 1942, the name was changed to Birzeit College. In 1953, a freshman higher education class was incorporated, followed by a sophomore class in 1961. The university launched a four-year program in 1972, leading to bachelor's degrees in arts and sciences and in 1975 the university officially renamed to Birzeit University. In 1973, the campus faced its first closure for 2 weeks by Israeli authorities, marking the beginning of series of repressive measures against the university community. The students and faculty organised protests, demonstrating their commitment to education and resistance. In April 1976, the university was admitted to the Association of Arab Universities, and then to the International Association of Universities in 1977. France financed the construction of the university to the tune of two million francs. In 1978–1979, the university added the faculties of law, public administration, and information technology.

On 21 November 1984, a student at the university was shot and killed by the Israeli military, with five others being injured, while taking part in a demonstration in support of Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat. In January 1987, history professor Saleh Abd al-Jawad was sentenced to 39 days imprisonment by an Israeli military court after participating in a sit-down strike at the university in December 1986.

During the First Intifada, the university was closed from 1988 until 1992 by the Israeli army, banning higher education in Palestine. The university continued to operate underground, organising small study groups in private homes and makeshift locations despite Israeli raids and harassment. The students, faculty and the community around the university demonstrated for education, turning the closure into a symbol of resilience. The university was the last of six in occupied Palestine to reopen.

During the Second Intifada in 2000 till 2005, Israeli forces blocked roads to Birzeit University, preventing students and faculty from accessing the campus. The university responded with organised protests, lectures near military checkpoints, and an international campaign advocating for the right to education. The university utilised its electronic systems to maintain remote instruction, ensuring continuity of education during periods of siege and restricted access. The Faculty of Information Technology was established in 2006 (later merged with the Faculty of Engineering to create the Faculty of Engineering and Technology). In 2007, the Faculty of Arts was established. The Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (later renamed Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions) was established in 2008.

In 2015, Birzeit University launched the Ph.D. program in social sciences, its first doctorate program. In 2016, the university was ranked first nationally in the January edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. 2018 saw the establishment of Birzeit University's newest college, the Faculty of Art, Music and Design. The university was ranked top nationally and among the top 3 percent of universities worldwide in the 2018 edition of the QS World University Rankings, and it retained its position in the 2019 edition.