El Khodary praises Gazan university

Jamal El Khodary, Chairman of the People's Committee Against the Siege, and the Hamas candidate for the Presidency of the next government, stressed that reconciliation is a Palestinian choice that cannot be abandoned, and that the signing of the agreement in Cairo was a national achievement. El Khodary pointed out during an interview on ‘El Ketab’, the educational satellite channel of the Islamic University in Gaza, that this achievement belongs to the Palestinian people, and that what was agreed on must be applied and made a reality so that people feel reassured. El Khodary, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic University of Gaza said: "I am not looking for a position, the burdens that come with it are great. The country and the people can be served without the need for official positions.  I give my thanks to all those who have given me confidence, and I will congratulate any candidate that the people agree on” With regards to the graduation ceremonies at the Islamic University, and its naming as a "regiment of unity and building", El Khodary said: "The university is always calling for unity, rejection of differences, and the pooling of strengths and capabilities, which coincides with the signing of a reconciliation agreement." As for building, El Khodary stated that it was what the university, and Gaza and Palestine need - the Islamic national identity must be built up, and all that has been destroyed during the occupation through aggression, including parts of the university, buildings, institutions, and homes, must also be reconstructed. He added that this year there are four thousand graduates, so the number of graduates over the total thirty-three years since the university’s formation reaches over forty thousand. El Khodary called upon officials in Arab, Islamic, and foreign countries, to open up the labour market for Palestinian graduates, and to provide opportunities for them to gain experience, and serve their country. He stressed that the university's ability to overcome difficulties, and achieve what it has done in terms of development and progress, indicates that the university has privileged students.  According to El Khodary they are the recipients of the best standards in the high school, with unique teachers, distinct buildings, advanced labs, prudent management, and supervisors and a board of Trustees that are all working to achieve excellence. He pointed out that despite what the university has accomplished, it is still seeking to join the top 500 universities in the world, which does not include a single Arab university so far.  He explained that some consider it the impossible, but he stressed that: “Will power, a love of hard work, professionalism, excellence, and the existence of clear vision will allow us to achieve our goal.” El Khodary revealed that the laboratories, which were completely destroyed during the war, will be rebuilt in a month’s time with the support of the GCC and the Islamic Development Bank.  He reported that work would start at the university’s hospital that will eventually serve as the School of Medicine, with the help of a generous donation from the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. El Khodary said that it was their quest over the next year to sign partnerships in various fields, and to build on and pioneer unique projects for the students. He sent a message to graduates in which he stated: "You must keep an open mind. Many graduates from this university occupy important distinguished positions, and the distinguished graduate may serve his country regardless of the position he or she holds." With regard to the university's ability to gain the confidence of donors, El Khodary said: "The relationship that exists with donors is not new.  It began twenty-two years ago, and was established through experience, performance, and real work.”