Ramallah – Birzeit University Friends Association held its Annual General Assembly Meeting on Monday, July 27, 2026, in Nizar Jardaneh Hall located at Al Quds Bank’s headquarters in Al-Masyoun, Ramallah. The meeting was attended by members of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors, representatives of the Ministry of Interior and partner municipalities, and the Association’s external auditor.
Ms. Nisreen Hidmi Masrouji, Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors, opened the meeting by welcoming the attendees and thanking them for their continued support and confidence in the Association’s mission. She highlighted their important role in strengthening the Association’s sustainability and enabling it to continue supporting Palestinian students and creating more equitable educational and professional opportunities.
Ms. Masrouji also welcomed Mr. Israr Hilaneh, Director General of the General Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations and Public Affairs. Mr. Hilaneh spoke about the Association’s role, ways to strengthen its institutional and community presence, and the importance of sustaining its programs and expanding their impact. He also responded to questions from members of the General Assembly and provided clarification on the work of civil society organizations, governance frameworks, and regulatory procedures.
The Chair expressed special appreciation to the Association’s founder and Honorary President, Dr. Mohammad Masrouji, in recognition of his vision and efforts in establishing the Association and advancing its mission to support education and Birzeit University students. She affirmed that the Association would continue to build on this legacy and its firm belief in education and investment in people.
Dr. Masrouji reflected on the key milestones in the Association’s history, the circumstances surrounding its establishment, and the efforts made to transform its founding vision into an effective institution. He paid tribute to the founding members for their contributions and their role in laying the Association’s foundations. He also thanked the current Board of Directors, as well as previous boards, General Assemblies, executive teams, and everyone who has contributed to the Association’s continuity and development.
During the meeting, Mr. Ahmad Abu Laban, Secretary of the Association and a member of its Board of Directors representing Ramallah Municipality, presented the 2025 Administrative Report and reviewed the Association’s key achievements during the year. The Association provided educational support to more than 190 students across several academic semesters and settled outstanding academic debts on behalf of 63 students.
The report also highlighted the expansion of the Association’s network of supporters and partners, which created new educational opportunities and provided direct support to students. The Association also strengthened its local and regional presence and opened new opportunities for cooperation, marketing, and knowledge exchange.
The Hand by Hand–Kanaani Workshop continued to grow through the development of new products and increased cooperation with various institutions. Its work contributed to empowering women and students, preserving Palestinian crafts and cultural heritage, and diversifying the Association’s sources of income. Progress was also made in developing other income-generating projects and expanding the advertising bus shelter project, supporting the Association’s long-term financial sustainability.
The Association’s external auditor, Mr. Nader Dajani, then presented the financial report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Members of the General Assembly discussed and approved both the administrative and financial reports, discharged the members of the Board of Directors from liability for 2025, and elected the Association’s external auditor for the 2026 fiscal year.
Ms. Masrouji noted that the Association’s achievements were made possible by the combined efforts of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors, staff, partners, and donors. She added that the next phase would focus on expanding scholarship opportunities, strengthening the sustainability of the Association’s resources, developing its vocational and production programs, and building partnerships that provide students with meaningful training and employment opportunities.
The meeting reaffirmed Birzeit University Friends Association’s commitment to transparency and accountability and its continued efforts to create sustainable educational and professional opportunities for Palestinian students.
