Yesterday (Dec 18), Saint Paul University signed a new partnership agreement with Dar al-Kalima University, an arts-based university located in Bethlehem, Palestinian occupied territory.
The two Universities share a similar vision and offer programs that are focused on creating a more just and humane world through education and the empowerment of students. Through this partnership, the students of both institutions will benefit from shared research, expertise and learning opportunities.
"We are proud to be partnering with Dar al-Kalima," said Chantal Beauvais, Rector of Saint Paul University. "Our universities share the same vision for a world that prioritizes justice, peace and the dignity of human life. By collaborating with like-minded institutions such as DAK, it is my hope that we can create more just and humane future for all."
"Building bridges between Palestine and the world is crucial for a city like ours surrounded from three sides by a 25-foot-high wall. Academic collaboration between our university and Saint Paul University is such an important bridge on the way to educating future generations towards a world based on justice, human dignity, intercultural understanding, and peace," shared Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President and Founder of Dar al-Kalima University.
The foundations of this partnership began at a conference hosted by DAK earlier this year, titled Land, People and Culture, where a delegation of Saint Paul University professors were presenting research. It is at this conference that SPU faculty made connections with their peers at Dar al-Kalima.
To celebrate the new agreement, SPU hosted a virtual signing ceremony. During the event, Dr. Beauvais and Rev. Dr. Raheb spoke on the importance of the partnership. The Rev. Dr. Raheb also gave a brief talk about the realities DAK students, staff and faculty are facing in the context of the war in Gaza.
Online Winter Course
One of the first collaborative projects to come out of this partnership is a course that will be offered next term. Titled The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is Peace Possible? (ECS5120/THO 6301), this course will invite guest speakers from Canada, Palestine and Israel to explore the political and religious realities of Palestine and Israel, paying special attention to debunking hegemonic narratives feeding into the current war.
