26 July 2018
Last month, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) was delighted to celebrate the graduation of the first intake of participants in the Bethlehem University (BU) Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences Oncology and Palliative Care Nursing Higher Diploma – the first course of its kind in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
Following the course’s programme of academic study and professional practice, the graduate nurses now have the specialised skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care to cancer patients and the terminally ill in the West Bank. It is hoped that these graduates will apply an evidence-based approach to their work, make sound clinical judgements, and help advance understanding of cancer and its treatment through participation in scientific research initiatives.
At the ceremony, BU hosted H.E. Councilor Eva Bolander, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of Glasgow, as the guest speaker. “This has been a long and growing association between the municipalities of Glasgow and Bethlehem”, she said. “The support for the diploma from MAP, Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and Glasgow City Council allowed this concept to become a reality, and here we are seven years later seeing the first round of graduates,” she added
A delegation of 13 people from Glasgow were also able to attend the ceremony. The group had a special program at BU starting with an introductory visit to the cultural museum and meetings with the students’ ambassadors. Also in attendance at the ceremony were Dean of Nursing Ms. Mariam; lecturers from the faculty; Vice-President of the Academic Office Dr. Irene Hazou; Assistant of the Vice-President of the Academic Office Dr. Muna Mattar; Vice-President of the Financial Office, Mr. Youil Anastas; and Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, Brother Peter Bray.
MAP congratulates all who have earned and been awarded these degrees, and wishes them the best in their future careers.
More details can be found here. If you would like to support MAP’s work improving cancer care in the oPt, please consider making a donation today.
