The Student Becomes the Teacher
Nidal Sabri sits down with his student
and lifelong colleague Rania Jaber
Birzeit University has a venerable history as one of Palestine’s leading higher education institutions.
Ever since the small school for girls became a university in 1972 - and even during its days as a junior
college - it has left a mark on those who call Birzeit University their home.
Everyone, however, reminisces differently about days spent here. Some talk fondly about strolling
the campus grounds, while others discuss passionately how they joined their professors on life-long
journeys of learning.
We sat down with one of Birzeit University’s most distinguished professors, Nidal Sabri, a renowned
professor of accounting, and one of his most notable students, Rania Jaber, a professor of business
administration and former vice president for financial and administrative affairs, to get a glimpse of
their journeys at Birzeit University, from 1975 and 1992, respectively, until today.
Q
How did you start your
careers at Birzeit University?
Sabri: In 1975, there was a job listing
for a faculty member position at
Birzeit University posted in Al-Quds
Newspaper. I got my certificates
and my papers ready, and waited
for the one car that took people
to and from the old university
campus in Birzeit’s old town. I
met with Gabi Baramki, then the
president of Birzeit University, who
presented me with the papers to
sign, saying that I would serve as
chair of the Department of Business
and Economics. At that time, I was
the only full-time professor at the
university.
Jaber: I enrolled in the university
in 1992 and graduated from the
Faculty of Business and Economics
in 1995. After that, I was hired as a
teaching assistant in the Department
of Business Administration. During
that time, I pursued a master’s degree
in economics and another one in
business administration. I served as
director of programs at the Institute
of Law for three years, after which I
became chair of the Department of
Business and Economics.
Q
When did you develop this
friendship?
Sabri: I met Rania in 1995, when
she was applying for the teaching
assistant position. The chair of the
Business and Economics Department
at that time was singing her
praises, and, as you can see, his
recommendation was excellent. Rania
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was one of those students who had
the spirit and the initiative to work
hard and the courage to venture out
of her comfort zone.
Jaber: I am very proud to call Dr.
Nidal not only a mentor, but a
lifelong friend who supported me
and put me on the path to academic
successes and a lasting journey at
Birzeit University. He does everything
he can to push and promote excellent
students, teachers, and professors.
Birzeit University is his life’s work.
Q
How has Birzeit University
changed? What do you
notice when walking around the
campus?
Sabri: In one word, “progress.”
Progress on all fronts. I remember
when representatives from American
and European universities visited
the campus and saw Ritaj – the
university’s electronic portal – in
development. They were amazed.
That is nothing compared to the
amount of technological and
pedagogical progress we are
witnessing at the university. One
thing that I miss, however, is the
sense of camaraderie that enveloped
the small university back in its early
days. It is true that the university
is now a sprawling institution
with many faculties, centers, and
institutes, but there’s an acute
absence of inter-departmental
cooperation.
just as their numbers have ballooned,
but Birzeit University’s spirit still holds
them together. It’s a mini Palestine,
with students from all walks of life
pursuing their interests and voicing
their opinions under a banner of
democracy and freedom of thought
and expression.
Sabri: The university is charting its
own path and constantly advancing
its constituencies, and I believe
that Birzeit University’s community
will steer it in the right course and
maintain its position as the best
Palestinian university and a leading
university both regionally and
globally.
Q
If you had the chance to do
it all over again at Birzeit
University, would you take it?
Jaber: I would do it in a heartbeat. I
love Birzeit University – my daughters
accuse me of loving my work more
than them. This university is a
national treasure that has served to
shape Palestine’s lawyers, medical
professionals, professors, and
everything in between. And it has
helped us make great friends along
the way.
Sabri: Like Rania said, Birzeit
University is my life’s work, and
improving it and developing its
constituencies is what I have been
doing and what I will continue to do
here.
Jaber: To add to what Dr. Nidal said,
the students are much, much more
diverse. Their interests have grown
Birzeit University
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