New center for Middle East peace launches
UMass Lowell and the University of Haifa have quite few things in common. They are both public universities. They both boast a diverse student population. They even have comparable academic programs. And, as Chancellor Marty Meehan joked, both lack government funding.
But now the two schools are going to share a new, unique similarity: they will both offer a Bachelors and Masters degree program in Peace Studies and Conflict. This is just an example of the collaborative effort that will taking place between UMass Lowell and the University of Haifa, a college in Israel, promised in a memorandum on understanding signed by both Chancellor Meehan and the University of Haifa’s President, Aaron Ben Ze’ev.
An event was held in honor of this agreement and of the launch of the Center for Middle East Peace, Development and Culture, a new program that will collaborate with University of Haifa.
This collaboration includes the creation of the BA/MA program in Peace Studies and Conflict Management at the Universities, as well as exchange programs for both faculty members and students, with many research and internship possibilities.
Present at the intimate event were the Director of the new center, Paula Rayman, Provost Ahmed Abdelal, Chancellor Marty Meehan, and the University of Haifa’s President, Aaron Ben Ze’ev, who flew in from Israel for this event. Deans and directors, both current and retired, also attended.
Provost Abdelal opened the event by introducing the program and explaining its origins. Members of the University traveled to the University of Haifa last June, where they formed a delegation and commenced discussions about creating a program like this.
The Director of the new Center, Paula Rayman, also spoke and discussed more about the two universities. She remarked that UMass Lowell and The University of Haifa are “both public sector universities greatly caring about diversity.”
Chancellor Meehan went up soon after. He explained that this program and group effort on part of both universities would “go beyond what each university can do by itself.”
After the Chancellor spoke, the floor was turned over to President Ben Ze’ev of the University of Haifa. He explained how the agreement will benefit more than just the two universities; it will “promote international cooperation.”
He went on to talk about regrets, and how people most often regret the actions they have not taken in life.
“People, when asked what they regret the most, say they regret not developing talents, not learning more,” he said.
After everyone finished speaking, Chancellor Meehan and President Ben Ze’ev sat down at the head table, and flipped through booklets that contained the memorandum of understanding, which they eagerly began signing. When finished, Ben Ze’ev was given two of the booklets to bring back with him to Israel, while two will kept at UML.
The two men stood, and with a warm handshake, the program was officially launched. The Chancellor then surprised the President by presenting him a small, wrapped gift on behalf of the University.
While the event was coming to a close, it was only the very beginning of the program. As the program’s Director Paula Rayman explained that they want to bring together students who are interested in the Center for Middle East Peace, as well as to build interest among students and faculty for the degree and exchange programs. Over time, the Center will present guest speakers and various other events intended to draw attention to its cause.
They plan to hopefully work with other Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. UMass Lowell would also like to eventually join force with the other UMass schools to work on developing certificate programs.
Through such programs as this, the UMass Lowell is taking steps to not just better the lives of the students attending the University, but to start to change the world.
As Chancellor Meehan summarized, “In order for this University to be world class, it must serve the needs of the global community.”
If any students or faculty members are curious about the program or if they have any questions, they should contact the program’s director at Paula_Rayman@uml.edu.
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