Anera Funds New Engineering Facultry West Bank

April 7, 2010 | Washington, DC – Anera (American Near East Refugee Aid) is pleased to announce its agreement with Al-Quds University to establish a new engineering facility for undergraduate degrees.

Anera Advisory Council member Fawzi Kawash was instrumental in organizing this major educational project located on 4,000 square meters of land on Al-Quds University’s Abu Dis campus.

The school will bear the name of its donor Najjad Zeenni, a successful businessman and engineer who grew up in the Palestinian camps of Lebanon after fleeing Palestine in 1948.

“We thank Najjad Zeenni for his generous donation to Al-Quds University to support the education of young Palestinians. This is a very memorable act which earns the respect of all Palestinians,” said Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, president of Al-Quds University.

Initially, the school will offer degrees in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering and later will add courses in communications and architecture.

Through Anera, Mr. Kawash and his friends also funded the Information Technology Centers of Excellence at four Palestinian universities in the West Bank, which offer advanced courses in information technology and business management.

“Anera is proud to contribute to training Palestinian youth and providing employment opportunities that will improve their lives and the lives of their families,” said Anera President Bill Corcoran.

Ground will be broken in the fall of 2010 with a completion date scheduled for 2012.