BETHLEHEM, West Bank, NOV. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The valedictorian of Bethlehem University's first master's-degree class said it took a lot of willpower to make it through the daily humiliation of passing through checkpoints in the occupied territory to finish her degree.
The first graduates of Bethlehem University's only master's program walked across the stage Oct. 27 in traditional caps and gowns, sparking hope that these alumni will aid in improving the situation in the Holy Land.
The degree is in international cooperation and development.
Among those who graduated were the regional director of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, a number of the staff members from Catholic Relief Services, and staff members from other Church groups, nongovernmental organizations and governmental development agencies.
In Lubna Iskander's valedictorian address, she reflected on what the degree meant for her personally.
"Before the intifada started," she said, "I spent two years looking for a scholarship to continue my education abroad. I got accepted at the University of London among other 15 students from all over the world. But as the intifada started I could not go. Later I had children and it was impossible for me to leave my kids and follow my dreams. So, when I heard about the MICAD [Masters of International Cooperation and Development] program, I thought that it was God’s gift to me from the sky.
"Seeing the wall every time, getting humiliated at checkpoints and reaching home sometimes late at night were so frustrating. I wished sometimes to have a magic stick that makes the wall and checkpoints disappear.
"Eventually, it turned out that the magic stick in the fairy tales exists in real life. It is called the will. The will to survive, continue and succeed no matter what the obstacles are. The occupation did not succeed in letting us bend or in shattering our dreams. It just made us stronger."
The university was founded in 1973 through the joint efforts of the Vatican, the international religious order of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, local Palestinian educators, and Church and civil leaders.
Bethlehem University is a Catholic co-educational institution open to students of all faiths. Some 2,788 students are enrolled in its undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programs. An additional 1,200 students are in continuing education and professional diploma programs through the Institute for Community Partnership.
ZE07110507 - 2007-11-05