HE Maj. Gen. Dr. Tawfiq Al- Tirawi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Istiqlal University, received Ms. Mary Antoinette, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Norwegian Kingdom and Iceland, to discuss cooperation, in the presence of Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osba, the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Hamdan Taha, the Deputy for Academic Affairs, Dr. Rajaa Sweidan, the Deputy for Administrative and Financial Affairs, and several of college deans, inside the campus of the University, on Tuesday 18th of February 2020.
Maj. Gen . Dr. Al-Tirawi welcomed the Ambassador Antoinette, praising her efficiency at the political and diplomatic levels, and her struggle for the Palestinian cause to deliver the Palestinian vision to the international forums, stressing the readiness of Al-Istiqlal University to work and cooperate with any delegation, college or University, pointing out that Al- Istiqlal University is a challenge for the occupation and was built with science, training and experience, providing an overview of the plans that will be implemented in the coming years, especially the military hospital, the Palestinian panorama which will concentrate on the geography and history of our homeland.
For her part, the Ambassador Antoinette expressed her gratitude and pride for visiting Al-Istiqlal University which is considered the future of the coming generations, praising all the efforts made to develop this institutions, mentioning the uniqueness of the University’s Academic and Security cadres, stressing its readiness to discuss ways of cooperation that would enhance and develop Al-Istiqlal University in the various fields. Also, she conveyed the position of the Norwegian Kingdom in supporting the Palestinian cause, pointing to the need for continuity and life, clinging to land and politics, and building a generation qualified with science, knowledge and culture, mentioning the importance to discuss joint cooperation between Al- Istiqlal University and the Norwegian Universities.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Abu Osba praised the efforts of the Ambassador Antoinette, pointing out the importance of her role that helps to clarify the correct Palestinian vision and the need for independence, besides the last action which happened through the deal of century and its consequences, mentioning the necessity have the cultural exchanging and developing the Palestinian-Norwegian cooperation methods by offering scholarships to the students of the IT specialization and providing the various expertise to the students of the University.
The Ambassador Marie Antoinette gave a lecture to the students of the international and diplomatic relations, referring to the stages of the Palestinian diplomacy, the position the Norwegian government toward the Palestinian cause, and the role of the Palestinian students abroad in properly delivering the Palestinian message to the West, providing them with a set of advice on how to deal with all other peoples have a culture, civilization and legitimate national right.
During the visit, a short introductory film was presented about Al-Istiqlal University, besides taking the Ambassador on an introductory tour to see the faculties and the facilities of the University.