The Media Development Center at Birzeit University on August 23, 2015 organized a workshop on journalistic writing skills for media activists in Palestinians’ refugee camps in Lebanon. The center partnered with the Majed Abu Sharar Media Foundation.

Media Consultant Saleh Masharqeh coached 20 young media activists working in youth-run news websites and other platforms related to civil society organizations that promote the wellbeing of Palestinians in refugee camps.

The workshop, which was held in Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp south of Beirut, was also attended by a number of Palestinian refugees who had migrated from Syria’s refugee camps as a result of the mounting difficult living conditions there.

The five-day workshop aims to empower Palestinian activists and guide them to use journalistic skills to express Palestinian refugees’ needs. The workshop was tailored to develop the media coverage of refugee news in mainstream and community media in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Via a video call, editor-in-chief of the Palestine News and Info Agency WAFA Kholoud Assaf, general manager of the Voice of Palestine Nidal Arar, and deputy editor of al-Hayat al-Jadida Bashar al-Barmawi addressed the participants in the workshop.

Media Development Center director Nibal Thawabteh said the workshop is the center’s first step in connecting with the regions where Palestinians have sought refuge to provide other Arab institutions with media services through the center’s consultants and experts.

She said that the workshop seeks to empower Palestinians everywhere and help them to connect with the world and depict their realities in a language the world understands. This will help ensure a greater impact on international public opinion, Thawabteh added.

Majed Abu Sharar Media Foundation head Sama Abu Sharar welcomed Birzeit University’s effort to reach Palestinians in refugee camps and called on the center to maintain this cooperation with Palestinian young people, investing in their energy in order to spread the Palestinian narrative in Arab and international media outlets.

Meanwhile, Masharqeh called on civil society institutions in the occupied Palestinian territories to include Palestinian refugees in all future development projects. He said his decision to supervise this workshop in Lebanon stems from a deep-rooted faith in the importance of uniting all efforts to rebuild a unified Palestinian media and discourse, regardless of differences over political affiliation or editorial standards.

Masharqeh argued that his vision could be realized by hiring Palestinian activists to report from the refugee camps and provide comprehensive coverage of all Palestinian-related developments.

The Birzeit University Media Development Center held on March 18, 2015 a study day to discuss three research papers conducted by the Research and Policies Unit at the center in 2014.

Unit coordinator Saleh Masharqah underscored media research as a critical component in the development of media, providing added value to teaching quality and the practice of journalism in Palestine.

The three research papers that were discussed included "Freedom of the Press in Palestinian Legislation," prepared by Majed Arouri under the supervision of Mohammed Dodeen and the "Digital Transformation of the Radio and Television Stations in Palestine," prepared by Ma’moun Matar and supervised by Nasha’t Al-Aqtash. The third research paper discussed was "Public Media in Palestine and Its Role in the Re-drafting of Collective Identity," which was prepared by Omar Nazzal and Said Abu Mualla, and supervised by Walid al-Shurafa,

The research projects are being funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Birzeit University’s Media Development Center celebrated the official opening of its television studio and control room. In attendance were university president Khalil Hindi, businessman and building donor Mohammed Masrouji, faculty and staff, journalists and interested students.

Center’s director Aref Hijjawi said that work in the studio had been underway for months as it had been used to record a number of talk shows. The studio is equipped with cameras to film reports and documentaries.

Nibal Thawabteh, who supervised the outfitting of the studio, confirmed that this opening ceremony is a continuation of the launching of the six-story building in which it is housed. The building includes facilities for the latest techniques in written and audiovisual media production that can be used in the training of media students, press staff, and those enrolled in various training courses that are organized by the center throughout the year.

The television unit coordinator Ahmed Al-Damen stated that the studio, which was funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, will offer services for those interested in broadcasting and recording, training and TV production programs.

Also during the ceremony, Lebanese media expert Zahi Wehbe congratulated Birzeit University, and spoke about his experience in managing cultural talk shows.

The Birzeit University Media Development Center organized on May 13, 2015 a celebration to announce the results of the book contest "Best Friend." The contest aimed at encouraging students to read, and included "general knowledge contest,” in which 41 prizes with a total value of $ 4,000 were distributed.

In his speech, the university president Dr. Khalil Hindi congratulated the winners, because they represent a live example of knowledge authenticity and reading hobby.

The Media Development Center director Aref Hijjawi said that more than 1,000 students have participated in the contest, explaining that a committee composed of center staff chose 12 Arabic books in the fields of literature, politics and media, from which the participants chose 5 books to read and then  be subject to a test.

The contest "Best Friend" was organized with the support of the Swedish Agency for International Development "SIDA". The first prize was $ 500, and the second prize was $ 300, and third prize was $ 200. Moreover, 30 students won a $ 100 prize/

Regarding the general knowledge contest, the first prize was $ 250, and the second prize was $150 and the third was $100.