ANERA Opens the Fourth IT Center of Excellence

Distinguished guests at the opening stand in front of the new building.

Guests enjoy the bright reception area of the new IT Center.

April 8, 2008 | Today, Birzeit University inaugurated the Najjad Zeenni IT Center of Excellence. Present were Birzeit President Dr. Nabeel Kassis and Board Chair Dr. Hanna Nasser, as well as representatives from ANERA, including Vice President Philip Davies and Middle East Representative Robert Crothers. Fawzi Kawash, Vice Chair of ANERA’s Board, participated by phone from Beirut.

The Center provides world-class facilities and professional training programs that are responsive to market needs. As a result of its innovative job creation and education programs, the Center will infuse more IT professionals into the Palestinian economy with valuable skills in software development, website development, and computer networking. These skills will ultimately benefit the graduates themselves, their families, and the community as a whole.

With the assistance of generous private donors, ANERA previously established IT Centers of Excellence at Al-Quds University (2002), Arab-American University in Jenin (2005), and Palestine Polytechnic in Hebron (also in 2005). One more, sponsored by INTEL, is under construction at the Islamic University in Gaza.

“ANERA looks forward,” said Mr. Crothers, “to finding ways of networking the four IT centers to share their unique resources and capabilities and developing the highest quality IT education programs.”

Dr. Kassis expressed his appreciation to Najjad Zeenni, whose vision and generosity made this project possible. The assembled Birzeit students were challenged to follow his example of hard work and philanthropy.

ANERA is pleased to have generous donors, like Mr. Zeenni, and capable partners, like Birzeit University, to bring to fruition these vital programs which will benefit Palestinians for years to come.

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Media Contact: Ms. Liz Demarest
Director of Communications
ldemarest@anera.org
1-202-842-2766, extension 12