The event was attended by Dr. Kherieh Rassas, Advisor to the Prime Minister Prof. Rami Hamdallah and member of the International Advisory Committee of the Winter School; Prof. Allam Mousa, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology; Prof. Natsheh, the Acting President; An-Najah vice presidents and assistants; Dr. Raed Al-Koni, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Prof. Sami Jaber, Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Winter School; Prof. Rolf Heuer, Head of DPG; Prof. Achille Stocchi, Head of LAL and Co-Chair of WISHEPP; Dr. Ahmed Bassalat, Chair of WISHEPP and staff member at An-Najah's Physics Department and Dr. Maen Ishtaiwi, Head of the Physics Department as well as a number of An-Najah's academic and administrative staff and students and other prominent figures.

     

In the opening speech, Prof. Jaber talked in details about the importance of the Winter School as high energy physics intervene in different aspects of life. He also talked about the recent discoveries in high energy and the problems that encounter conducting research in this field.

Prof. Natsheh welcomed the guests and commended the Faculty of Science staff and students for their devotion to build such a good reputation to their faculty regarding academia and scientific research. He also praised the Physics Department for establishing relations with prestigious research centres, such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, the Linear Accelerator Laboratory in France, the Centre of Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East in Jordan and the University of Paris-Sud.

 

In her speech, Dr. Rassas transferred Prof. Rami Hamdallah's greetings and said that the Winter School has a rich agenda full with discussions and scientific lectures and provides tools that expand students' knowledge. She also said that the Winter School is the first of its type in Palestine and has created strong and developing cooperation around the world.

She added: "As our government strives to build the foundation of our country, develop its institutions, enhance the capabilities and expand its international presence, we encourage the efforts made to invest in human resources to ensure following up with rapid scientific developments".

In turn, Prof. Mousa talked about the importance of physics as it is connected to other disciplines including medicine, engineering and technology development.

He said that the Winter School comes as a result of a decline in the demand for the physics programme and aims to change students' perception about this field. He also stressed the importance of promoting cooperation between the researchers and the research centres to develop physics labs and transfer modern devices from Europe to Palestine. This in turn will enhance the quality of scientific research in the region.

Prof. Heuer gave a presentation on high energy physics and its themes that include CERN mission and its establishment in 1954 in 12 European countries. He added that CERN nowadays has branches in 22 countries around the world.

Dr. Bassalat gave a presentation through which he introduced the audience to the 1st Winter School initiation, activities and results and the international advisory committee members. He also talked about the 2nd Winter School activities which include lectures on nuclear physics, high energy and accelerator physics.

Dr. Bassalat gave a presentation through which he introduced the audience to the 1st Winter School initiation, activities and results and the international advisory committee members. He also talked about the 2nd Winter School activities which include lectures on nuclear physics, high enerAt the end of the event, Prof. Stocchi expressed his delight for being at An-Najah and said that he and his colleagues participated in this event to transfer their knowledge and passion of physics to the students.

It is worth mentioning that the activities of the Second Winter School will be over a week from November 12th – November 16th, 2017.y and accelerator physics.

Notes:

• WSHEPP was initiated by Dr. Bassalat and Dr. Hadil Abualrob who obtained their doctorate degree in High Energy Physics (Soleil, LAL et CERN). The school is on yearly basis, it has a large scope and wide spectrum of audience, due to its dynamic programme and parallel sessions, and it has a far seeing goals.
• WSHEPP II was organized by An-Najah National University, Paris Sud 11, SESAME, CERN, CNRS, AUF, SAPA and Nablus and Anabta Municipalities and sponsored by the French Consulate General Jerusalem and Al-Raya for Foodstuff Company.

 

• WSHEPP II has different activities for different audience including:

- Specialized courses in HEP, SM, Accelerators and Instrumentation and Gravitational Waves for physics and engineering students

- Plenary talks on Gravitational Waves and Higgs discovery, future colliders, SESAME and Science for lecturers and students

- A public event for politicians and the public (parents of the young students)

- Special events for high school students, mainly from different schools in the west bank