Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah Open Electronic University Awards Mrs. Ola Awad an Honorary Doctorate in "Management, Training, Statistical Research and Planning at the Level of International Cooperation"

Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah Open Electronic University awarded Mrs. Ola Awad, President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics "PCBS", an Honorary Doctorate in "Management, Training, Statistical Research and Planning at the Level of International Cooperation", as a token of appreciation for her distinct role in statistics and for being the first Palestinian woman presiding the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in addition to her achievements as well as her effective participation nationally, regionally and internationally.

Mrs. Ola Awad received the honorary doctorate on Tuesday 28/01/2013, during a celebration organized at PCBS main premises in Ramallah.  A delegation from Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah Open Electronic University presided by Dr. Fathi Natour, Dean of the Faculty of Information/Member of the Board of Trustees of the university attended the celebration as well as the general directors and directors of PCBS, who expressed their appreciation for Mrs. Awad's distinct efforts and achievements in the field of the Palestinian Statistical work on both national and international levels.

Dr. Natour stressed on the fact that Mrs. Ola Awad and through her presidency of PCBS provided an excellent model of competence, professionality, and leadership in managing the statistical work. And he added that the Administration of the university and the Board of Trustees are pursuing the news and activities of PCBS and its President. Dr. Natour also added that Mrs. Awad has managed to make of PCBS a dynamic professional and pioneering Palestinian institution that depends on certain regulations, procedures and clear instructions, by which PCBS gained its reputation among the national and international institutions. Dr. Natour stated that such milestone achievements and contributions towards making the desired change a reality should be taught, and in light of that and based on a thorough study of Mrs. Awad's efforts, achievements and work mechanism that was carried out by the university, it was decided to award Mrs. Awad an Honorary Doctorate in "Management, Training, Statistical Research and Planning at the Level of International Cooperation".

Dr. Natour also stated that Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah Open Electronic University is the first Arab electronic univeristy which was established in 2005, and presided by Prof. Mohammad Ahamd Ghanayem. Its main premises is in the Arab Republic of Egypt and it has more than 50 branches throughout the world. He also noted that the university has achieved partnerships with the Arab League, International Association for Open Universities and Academic Institutions, European Commission and many International Universities, and that all academic certificates issued by the university are accredited by the Arab League as well as the Commission of the African Union with their logos on the certificates. The university consists of 25 faculties specialized in various scientific topics.

Mrs. Awad, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the president and administration of the university as well as its board of trustees for this generous gesture and promised all attendees to do her best in maintaining the Palestinian National Statistical System as a distinct and well integrated system towards building the State of Palestine.

On this occasion, Mrs. Awad dedicated the honorary doctorate to every single staff at PCBS for their hard work and marvelous achievements in favor of serving the mission, vision and strategic objectives of the Palestinian Statistical System. Ms. Awad also requested the university to open a new faculty specialized in statistics due to the fact there is an increasing need for a well qualified graduated statisticians, and expressed her pleasure to cooperate with the university towards serving its mission and noble goals.