Ahmed Al Noubani was raised in a rural West Bank village among a family that highly values education. Six of eight of his siblings have also graduated from university. Ahmed is expansive upon his Masters of Science degree from the University of Aberdeen in the UK by earning a Ph.D. in Urban Design and Planning from the University of Washington in Seattle, which he will receive upon defending his dissertation in the fall of 2010. Ahmed has been a faculty member in the Geography Department at Birzeit University since 2004 where he has taught courses in remote sensing, biogeography, and the environment. To his credit, Ahmed also has NGO and government experience having worked at the Ministry of Planning’s Palestinian Geographic Center and the Land Research Center as a GIS and land cover expert. When asked to describe a life changing event, Ahmed explained, “Bee keeping is a major life event that changed my career direction. Before that I had not seen the beauty and benefits of wildlife. Bee keeping turned me into a guard to my local environment and affected my decision to study and teach environmental remote sensing.” Ahmad successfully completed his coursework and comprehensive exams, and is currently preparing to defend his dissertation on land use and land cover dynamics, using Palestine as a case study.  

Ammar Al-Dwaik earned a degree in law from Al Yarmouk University in 1994. At the age of twenty-two, he was a First Lieutenant commanding the Birzeit Police Station. He later worked for the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights, eventually becoming the head of the legal department. Ammar has also worked for the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, and was one of the founders of the Central Elections Commission (CEC). In 2004 he was appointed CEO of the Commission where he coordinated the presidential elections of 2005 and the parliamentary elections of 2006. As the Chief Electoral Officer of the CEC he oversaw 17,000 polling officials in 16 districts for the parliamentary elections and was credited with successfully managing what some have argued to be the most free and transparent election in the Arab world. As a USAID-funded Clinton Scholar, Mr. Al-Dwaik earned a Masters of Law degree focusing on good governance and judicial reforms from The American University, Washington College of Law. He is currently completing his PhD studies in Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

 

Ahmed Abu Awad is from Hebron and has taught courses in linguistics and discourse analysis at Birzeit University for the last three years. He is now a doctoral student in the Comparative and International Education and Anthropology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Ahmed notes, “My passion for teaching, I am sure, will only increase with the new knowledge I will acquire… I will also be able to offer a more multidisciplinary approach to education and language, and the teaching of language (particularly English as a second language) and perhaps create a future hybrid program at Birzeit University.” Ahmed was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and earned an M.A. in applied linguistics from Boston University (BU) in 2004, and he got a B.A. in English language and literature from Birzeit University. He received accolades from various faculty familiar with his work. Dr. Cathy O’Connor was his academic advisor at Boston University and writes, “Ahmed is intellectually one of the strongest students I have encountered in my 18 years of university teaching. He is insightful, thoughtful, and intellectually mature.” Ahmed is currently preparing a dissertation titled "Genres of Governmentality: The Role of the Intifada Appeals in the Palestinian National Imaginary", which he plans to defend in 2012.

 

Abeer Shaheen was one of the first female faculty members in Birzeit University’s Political Science Department. Most recently she worked as the administrative director for the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies. This experience served her well as she pursues a Ph.D. at Columbia University’s Department of Political Science. As a student and administrator, Shaheen helped draft the Institute’s five-year strategic plan and produced highly regarded research papers with practical policy recommendations on conflict resolution in Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka. As a teacher, she has integrated her research on conflict resolution into classes such as the “Arab World in International Affairs” and “Modern and Contemporary European Civilization.” Abeer plans to complete her Ph.D. dissertation on the neoliberal politics of Iraq after Saddam. She feels that her study will have key policy implications for how democratic transitions within the Arab world can be managed in ways that lead to positive political change. Abeer also notes, “I will be able to teach courses in international relations theory, comparative foreign policy, regional conflicts, area studies, and other relevant courses.” Abeer plans to defend her dissertation in 2011.  

 

Emad Dawwas has a master’s degree from An-Najah University in transportation and highway engineering, as well as a second master’s degree from Lecee University in Italy in space systems on earth observation. Emad has taught courses in remote sensing, engineering mechanics, and transportation at An-Najah University since 2000. Emad has a passion for using advanced technology towards practical ends, and has worked on several projects focusing on transportation problems and planning in the West Bank. He has used both remote sensing (RS) technology and geographic information systems (GIS) to conduct urban monitoring and route selection for highways. Dawwas feels that the construction of a solid road network in the geographically diverse West Bank will be vital to political and economic development in the region in the “peace era”. He is an innovative teacher whose students laud his efforts to actively engage them in their work, such as an assignment that required them to physically monitor traffic patterns in Nablus. He is enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the University of Washington’s Urban Design and Planning Department. Emad expects to further his understanding of how GIS can be used in municipal strategic planning, and thereby introduce new tools for city and regional planning to policy-makers and students when he returns to An-Najah University. He is working on a dissertation titled: "The effects of intera and inter-group conflicts on urban land uses in self-ruled areas" which he hopes to defend in 2011.

 

 

Dua’ Nakhala has bridged two lives since moving from Gaza, where she grew up, to Birzeit to attend university in 1995. Separation from her family in Gaza sometimes lasted years as it became harder and harder for Gazans to travel to the West Bank and vice versa. However, this separation also conditioned her to be more independent and motivated to succeed. In 2003 she graduated with a master’s degree in international studies from Birzeit University and also started teaching, initially English and subsequently political science courses. Most recently Dua’ has worked full time as the Activities Coordinator for the Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies at Birzeit University. Recognizing the dearth of Palestinian academics with such expertise, Dua’s interests lie in researching Euro-Mediterranean relations. Upon returning to Palestine she wishes to resume teaching at Birzeit University and broaden the depth of course offerings by drawing on the knowledge gained through earning a Ph.D. in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. Dua’ successfully completed her coursework and comprehensive exams, and has began working on her dissertation on the construction of walls between nations, which was approved by her school. She plans to defend in April 2011, after gathering the rest of her data from Washington DC.

 

Karam Adawi earned a master’s degree in public health from Al-Quds University, and did so with honors while simultaneously being a mother and working full-time. Since graduating in 2003 she has been a lecturer at Al-Quds University’s College of Health Professions. She has taught courses in medical microbiology and research methods and engaged in various research projects addressing how best to prevent or control different communicable diseases in Palestine. Karam is now eager to build on her scientific background in health and embark on a Ph.D. that expands her understanding of health policies, specifically effective policies addressing infectious diseases. She sees herself as an important figure “in motivating students to be involved in the development of health in Palestine.” In this regard she looks forward to returning with a Ph.D. from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy and Management so that she is “able to apply modern teaching methods, skills, and knowledge as well as implement new courses that tackle Palestinian communities’ health needs.” Karam is focusing her dissertation on the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on patients, which she hopes to defend in the spring of 2012.

 

 

 

 

Fida Yaseen visited Europe for the first time in 1998 during a trip to Greece. This experience taught her “you can learn much more by traveling and dealing with people from different cultures. What you can learn from books in a month, you can learn by traveling in a week, and life is a real school.” Consequently, her approach to earning a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign has her very excited. She is enrolled in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning where she expects to concentrate her research on the use of open spaces. Fida is interested in exploring women’s use of open space in Palestinian cities, noting, “men typically regard open space as a setting for their own activities, whereas women see it as a place for their children.” Her unique interests stem from being married with children and a lecturer in An-Najah’s Center for Urban and Regional Planning. Fida intends to also explore the differences in women’s use of open space in the surrounding villages of Nablus as opposed to the city center. Her expectation is to return to An-Najah upon completion of her degree and teach courses in landscape architecture, urban design, and participation in urban design. Fida successfully completed her coursework and exams, and is currently preparing to defend her dissertation on the relationship between spatial planning and the struggle over space in the OPT, which she will complete in August of 2010.

 

Najeh Shahin scored high enough on his high school leaving exam – the tawjihi – to study medicine, but instead chose philosophy. Najeh has over ten years of experience, most recently at Birzeit University’s Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, teaching courses such as modern Western thought, modern Arab thought, human rights and introduction to logic. Recently, Najeh’s interests have turned to political philosophy, such as the tension between Islam and democracy: “Either we accept Islam and reject democracy and keep the kind of life typical of medieval [societies], or adopt democracy, clash with Islam and be rejected by the majority of the Palestinian Arab-Muslim community. It is not easy to find a solution.” This kind of compelling issue is driving his motivation to earn a Ph.D. in the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Political Science. Najeh later decided not to pursue the full Ph.D. program, and was instead granted a second master’s degree in Philosophy from the University. Najeh’s interests also extend to reading novels, writing poetry, and desiring to understand the American way of life, as well as American traditions of philosophy. He has a book published in Arabic “The Palestinian Higher Education: A Critical Look”, as well as various articles on human rights, the philosophy of science, and education.

 

Ziad Zaghrout earned the title “Best Lecturer” from his students in the business and finance department at Birzeit University where he started teaching at the age of twenty-six. Ziad holds an MBA degree in finance from Coventry University in England, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy and management at the University of Washington in Seattle. Ziad believes that economic development and improving national institutions is the most important thing for Palestinians. As an instructor at Birzeit University, Ziad places himself in the frontline of enlightening the next generation of Palestinian students who need to be aware of the current challenges faced by today’s business leaders so that they can base their future decisions on firm ground. After returning from the US, Ziad will work on developing both academic and non academic fields. He will work on improving teaching methods in the finance department, conducting research, and writing, as well as doing some private consulting with local and international organizations. Ziad is currently working on his dissertation titled: “Faith based organizations and development”, which he plans to defend in January 2011.

 

Ihab Daqqaq is one of only a few social work grantees within PFDP. Ihab served as an instructor and community service coordinator at the Faculty of Education at Bethlehem University. Ihab earned an M.A. degree in human rights and democratization from the University of Malta. In an effort to develop his skills, and contribute to the shortage of social workers in Palestine, Ihab is pursuing a Ph.D. in social work at Columbia University. Upon returning from the US he will resume teaching at Bethlehem University. His first priority will be to put in action what he learned in theory, and to share the experience he gained in the US with his students through better informed teaching strategies. He will also assist Bethlehem University in upgrading its social work program by establishing a resource center to focus on the developmental needs of Palestinians, and thus provide advocacy for social work agencies. Ihab has successfully completed his comprehensive exams, and plans to defend his dissertation in the spring semester of 2011. Besides his interest in advancing his knowledge, Ihab likes gardening and raising pets; hobbies he had to suspend while living in New York City as a graduate student. 

Ayman Khalifa was a school teacher in the Bethlehem district, as well as a part-time lecturer at Al-Quds Open University. He earned an M.A. degree in methods of teaching science from Al-Quds University. Ayman likes to involve technology in his teaching. He also likes to encourage critical thinking skills among his students. His passion for knowledge and commitment to enhance the quality of teaching and research in Palestinian universities prompted him to apply for a Ph.D. scholarship. He is now enrolled in the Department of Education Policy, Research, and Administration at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He is using this scholarship as a chance to develop his communication and research skills, and be introduced to new technologies related to his field of study. Besides being a distinguished teacher, Ayman enjoys writing poetry. Ayman successfully completed all his requirements, and will be defending his dissertation on epistemologies of research in the coming few months of 2010, after which he will return home and begin to give back to his community.

 

Muhammad Zayyad is one of PFDP’s Ph.D. fellows who has successfully completed and graduated from Boston College. Zayyad is a college professor and pedagogical trainer in elementary and special education in Jerusalem. Muhammad’s background and skills are rare while also very much in need in Palestine. He received his master’s degree in learning disabilities from Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Since his return, Muhammad has been working on establishing a special education department at Al-Quds University, as well as assisting in curriculum design of special education courses and creating assessment tools for children who cannot progress in their traditional classes. Muhammad spends his leisure time with his wife and three children all of whom joined him in Boston, and is currently working with PFDP staff and other fellows in order to present his dissertation paper to Palestinian faculty and those interested in the field of special needs education.

 

 

 

 

 

Ola Khalili earned a master’s degree in mathematics education from Birzeit University in 2001 and then became one of the few female faculty members in the education department of the university. She also served as a coordinator for the Math National Achievement tests and was the Head of Research and Follow-up Division at the Assessment and Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Education. These professional experiences have molded a philosophy that “teaching methods are the main factors affecting student performance.” Consequently, her goal upon completion of her studies in the US is “to teach education courses, especially math education courses at Birzeit University and work with schools and teachers to improve their attitudes towards teaching.” Ola has traveled to various countries including Finland, South Africa, Chile, and Egypt to attend educational workshops and conferences. She is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she is currently completing her dissertation on teaching professional development programs in Palestine, which she will defend, graduate, and return home by April 2010.

Khitam Abu Hamad worked as the person responsible for Primary Health Care Information at the Palestinian Health Information Centre - Ministry of Health and was a part-time lecturer and technical instructor at the Community College for Applied Sciences and Technology. Her professional experience has made Khitam aware of the health care situation in the Gaza Strip and the academic needs to help find future solutions. Khitam comes from a large family that lives in one of the highly populated areas in the Gaza Strip where health and educational services are in need of improvement. This reason, among others, has made Khitam realize her community’s need for more focused research on and better education delivery of children, women, and public health issues. Khitam would like to establish her own research center upon finishing her Ph.D. study. She notes “I would like to act as a change agent that will focus on my organization and community”. Khitam is pursuing her Ph.D. at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, MA, where she is working on a dissertation on the use of contraceptives in the Gaza Strip. She has completed her coursework and exams, and will defend her dissertation during the fall semester of 2010.

 

 

Wasim Al-Habil earned his master’s degrees with honors in public administration from the University of Arkansas after being awarded a Clinton Scholarship by USAID in 2001. After completing his masters, Wasim held various professional positions including working as a food monitor in the World Food Program and as an academic counselor for the Academy for Educational Development. He has also worked with the UNRWA as an Assistant Chief, Field Education Program, and as part-time lecturer at Al-Quds Open University. This last experience was perhaps the most influential as Wasim embarked on a Ph.D. at the College of Urban Affairs (public administration track) at Cleveland State University where he focused on human resource management. Wasim successfully graduated from his Ph.D. program, and is now working at his university in Gaza to develop new courses that introduce cutting edge teaching methods within public administration. Wasim would also like to establish the first Palestinian academic journal noting, “I will dedicate my mental and physical efforts to initiate a respectable academic journal that tackles administration science.”

 

Akram Ijla has a master’s degree from An-Najah University in urban and regional planning. His involvement in the field of preservation of historical buildings and rehabilitation motivated him to further his knowledge in this field and get his second masters from Plymouth University in England. As an expert in urban and growth planning, Akram was given a senior role during and after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005. This extraordinary experience influenced and inspired Akram’s Ph.D. study, which he successfully completed in urban planning and economic development from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University of Ohio. He notes “I am looking forward to being part of changing Gaza into a metropolitan vision that makes integration of the limited land with the built-up areas, economic enhancement, job creation, and institutional building of local authorities.” 

 

Sadeq Firwana is the only teacher trainer of English language teaching at the Islamic University in Gaza. Sadeq has worked with the British Council as the official examiner of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). He has taught courses like advanced writing, phonetics and phonology, and ELT methodology. Sadeq describes his Master’s degree experience as the catalyst of his career, as it helped him to change his attitudes and methods of EFL teacher training. He is completing his Ph.D. studies at Boston College’s School of Education. Sadeq believes that this Ph.D. experience in the US will not be limited to his formal studies, as he would greatly like to have first-hand knowledge of American culture. He notes “sometimes understanding a text does not depend solely on understanding the linguistic meaning of words, but on the cultural background of what is being said.” Upon returning from the PFDP Fellowship, Sadeq wants to do his best to disseminate the culture of EFL teacher training in the Gaza Strip. “One important method for such a pursuit is devising a Master’s Program for EFL teacher training at the Islamic University of Gaza.”  

 

Wael Dokhan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Malta. For Wael, the period he stayed in Malta was a turning point in his life as he met hundreds of foreign students from many countries around the world. Wael notes, “I developed a better understanding of other cultures and broadened my knowledge and education through extensive reading and research.”  Ever since childhood, Wael found himself interested in politics and social activities. However, the first Gulf War and the start of the peace process in the Middle East influenced his decision to study international relations. He believes the United States is the most influential country in world politics and international relations. This motivated him to earn a Ph.D. at the University of Denver’s School of International Studies. Wael expects to return to Al-Azhar University upon finishing his degree and establish what he calls an Institute of International Relations within Al-Azhar University.

 

Naser Abu El-Noor earned his master’s degree in nursing administration from Marquette University in Wisconsin on a Fulbright Scholarship. He is looking forward to expanding his education in this field by earning a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Urban Studies with a health administration focus from the University of Akron, Ohio. After getting his master’s, Naser worked as a faculty member within the Islamic University’s Nursing Faculty where he was promoted after two years to dean. Naser looks forward to increasing and improving his teaching and research skills. He notes, “I am emphasizing the need for health research because I feel this area almost does not exist in the health care sector in the Gaza Strip.”

 

Maysoon Abu El-Noor’s outstanding achievement in her undergraduate program provided her the opportunity to be hired as a teaching assistant at Islamic University’s Nursing Faculty. Maysoon believes in Florence Nightingale’s famous quote “To stand still is to move backwards.” This belief, combined with an interest in teaching motivated her to earn her master’s degree from Al-Quds Open University in nursing administration. She continued her teaching during her studies and immediately applied for a Ph.D. fellowship through PFDP when she heard about the opportunity. Maysoon is now enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the University of Akron’s Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies where she expects to focus her study on Palestinian health policy, particularly analysis and evaluation. Upon returning home Maysoon would like to work on making significant changes to the nursing administration curriculum in terms of content and approach that reflect the rapid change in the world’s health care system on one hand, and Palestinian community needs on the other.

 

 

 

Sahera Bleibleh has a master’s degree from Al-Najah National University in Urban and Regional Planning. Sahera started her career working with the private sector then shifted towards working with international organizations namely UNDP, the EC, and the World Bank. She has worked on different developmental projects targeting the Palestinian people mainly in infrastructure, damage assessment, capacity building, and urban planning. Most recently, she has worked as a part time lecturer at Birzeit University and as a Senior Architect at Khatib and Alami, a consolidated engineering company in Ramallah. She is currently enrolled at the University of Washington, Seattle, Department of Urban Design and Planning, where she is developing a dissertation on spatial oppression under the Israeli occupation, which she will defend in 2011. Sahera looks forward to exploring the best practices of international approaches which could be tailored and brought back to Palestine. Sahera is enthusiastic about expanding her acquired practical and theoretical experience. She wishes to contribute to local planning practices and curriculum within the local universities and organizations, so as to improve living standards and to create a better environment for local communities.

 

 

Abdulnaser Amin Arafat was born in Nablus city and comes from a family that deeply values education. He earned his master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering from Al-Najah University. He enrolled at the University of Florida, Gainesville, College of Design Construction where he is working to obtain his Ph.D. by 2011. A visit to San Diego University in 1999 changed his career direction from engineering to planning. After learning computer programming, drafting, and GIS there, Abdulnaser later took up geographic information systems and planning as a career. Upon returning from his Fellowship, Abdulnaser plans to continue working in the field of research and to teach at the department of Geography at Birzeit University. He also hopes to publish papers and join future academic conferences.

 

Alma Hamdallah Othman has a master’s degree in Digital Media from Luebeck University, Germany. She has been a faculty member at the Fine Art School at Al -Najah University, and is now attending the University of Florida, College of Design, Construction and Planning. Teaching at Al-Najah University made a great difference in her life as she realized the value of being a teacher. She hopes to work as a professor there when she returns. She also aspires to launch new research fields at Al-Najah University linked mainly to architecture, digital media, and social science. Alma accredits the efforts of her parents for constantly encouraging her and supporting her in achieving her higher education.

 

 

Hasan Saleh Ali Ayyoub is a dedicated father of four with the love and support of his wife playing a major role in his personal and professional accomplishments. He has worked as a part time teacher of Palestinian Studies at Al-Najah National University. Hasan takes great pride in coming a long way from living in deprivation in a refugee camp to becoming a man with status and a potential to contribute to the good of his community. He wishes that his father were alive to witness his accomplishments. Hasan has a master’s degree in Political Planning and Development from Al-Najah University and will be getting his doctoral degree from the University of Denver,Colorado, Graduate School of International                                                             Studies (GSIS). He is currently preparing a dissertation on ‘Failed States’, which he plans to defend the spring semester of 2011.

 

 

Jehad Yousif Abdelrahman Alayasaa has been a part time faculty member at Al-Quds University and the Arab American University in Jenin. He has a master’s degree in Political Planning and Development from Al-Najah National University, and is acquiring his Ph.D. from Portland State University. Jehad hopes that he can contribute to building an academic lobby that can participate in giving advice to decision makers on a political level. He also aims to work on reforming the education system in Palestinian schools and universities. Jehad is looking forward to living in a multicultural society and wants to carry the message of tolerance and peace as the ‘ambassador’ of his country Palestine.

 

 

 Ayhab Faleh Saad started teaching at the age of 26 as a full time instructor for the Department of Economics at Birzeit University. His passion for economics began early in his life and he finds great pleasure in teaching with excellent performance reviews from his students. After completing his doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ayhab hopes to continue teaching at the Department of Economics in Birzeit University. He also wishes to get involved in applied and theoretical research.

 

 

 

 

Wael Hasan Ramadan received his MBA from the Maastricht School of Management (MSM) Holland, where he got the best research grades for his MBA.

He recently completed his Ph.D. from Cleveland State University, where he successfully defended his dissertation on the role of organizational culture in increasing the sustainable competitive advantage of SMEs. Wael has diverse work experience and knowledge consolidated from various posts he held within the private sector, such as the World Bank, AMIDEAST, and the EU. Wael hopes to bring back to his country the knowledge he acquires abroad and use it to create a better future for his people. He will use his recommendations and dissertation results to further improve the current SMEs in Palestine.

 

 

Najwa Safadi is attending Boston College, School of social work. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from McGill University, Canada. Najwa has vast experience in the field of social work. She has worked as a social worker with children in the Old city of Jerusalem, a case manager with physically handicapped in the Jerusalem and Bethlehem areas. She has also worked as a coordinator with women and cultural programs in Jerusalem, and most recently worked as a lecturer and coordinator for the department of Social Work at Al-Quds University. Najwa hopes to be engaged in doing research, predominantly about social policy and poverty upon her return.

 

Mohammad Awad has an International MBA degree from Bar Ilan University and anticipates getting his Ph.D. in Public Affairs, Nonprofit Management from the University of Texas at Dallas, where he is joined by his two children and wife. Mohammad worked as a Grants Specialist for a USAID project in the south of The West Bank. Upon completing his Ph.D. in Public Affairs, Mohammad wishes to return to Palestine and take up teaching at Al-Quds Open University, where he can integrate nonprofit management courses into the university curricula. He is currently completing his dissertation on volunteerism in the non-profit sector, which he hopes to defend and then graduate his program by April of 2010.

 

Kefah Barham is a full time teacher at UNRWA schools and a part-time lecturer at Al-Quds Open University. Kefah obtained a master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Teaching Methodology from An-Najah National University. She is extremely interested in improving the use of technology in Palestinian curricula. Kefah is a dedicated woman who pursued her Bachelor’s Degree immediately after having two children. Her eagerness to learn pushed her to apply for the Ph.D. fellowship, which granted her a scholarship to study Educational Policy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she is currently developing a dissertation on the means of effectively integrating computers into Palestinian schools.  

Bilal Khaleel Younis has a master’s degree in science teaching methods from Al-Quds University and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction (e-learning) from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Bilal has been a lecturer at Hebron University and Palestine Technical College. He looks upon teaching as a hobby not as a job. Upon returning, Bilal would like to apply e-learning in teachers’ preparation programs. Bilal plans to travel back to the West Bank in order to collect necessary data for his dissertation titled: "Teachers use of e-learning and designing video games for instruction"

 

Abdrabu Abu Alyan earned his master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont after being awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 1996. Abdrabu is currently working on expanding his knowledge in the field of education with a focus on intercultural communicative competences in his doctoral studies in Amherst. His interest in this subject was shaped during his teaching experience while earning his master’s from the US. He notes, “teaching of culture has become a pivotal part of teaching education. Language teachers ought to receive both experimental and academic training, with the aim of becoming mediators in cultural teaching”.  He is currently engaged in Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he has successfully completed his coursework and exams, and is gathering data for his dissertation which he plans to defend in 2012.

  

 

Hasan El-Nabih worked as a school teacher for several years before being awarded a Fulbright scholarship to obtain his master’s degree in linguistics from California State University, Fresno. Hasan is pursuing his doctoral studies in education at Boston College. He highly believes in the effectiveness of exchange programs noting “exchange programs have a very important role as a vehicle of peace, security, and mutual respect among the nations of the world”. Hasan is currently working on his dissertation on the problem of learning English inchoatives in the Palestinian context. He will gather data from the Gaza Strip next semester in order to then defend the dissertation during the fall semester of 2010.