Hamdallah, from University President to PM Palestine

President Mahmoud Abbas asked Rami Hamdallah, president of Najah National University, on Sunday night to form a new government following the resignation of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Hamdallah, an independent, said his government will follow Abbas’ political agenda and program. Hamdallah, born on August 10, 1958, is from the Tulkarm area town of Anabta. He received a doctorate degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Lancaster in the United Kingdom in 1988. After he received his degree, he returned to Nablus to teach at Najah University where he held several jobs until he became president of the university in August 1998. He was also named as secretary general of the Central Elections Commission since 2002 and served as chairman of the board of the Palestine Exchange since October 2008. He had held the same position from 2003 – 2006. Hamdallah assumed several positions and membership in local, Arab and international academic organizations. He is also a trustee at the Yasser Arafat Foundation since 2008 and became member of its board in February 2011. He has also written several articles and books on language and education.