About Dar al-Kalima University

Dar al-Kalima University (DAK) is the first and only institution of higher education in Palestine focused on the performing arts, visual arts, and cultural heritage. The University’s founders believe in the importance of the arts to raise cultural and social awareness and to develop a vibrant and active civil society. Many DAK students rely on scholarships to complete their education. Bright Stars of Bethlehem provides scholarships and helps the university expand its course offerings and campus. We envision that most of Palestine’s future artists, musicians, actors, journalists, IT professionals, filmmakers, and the leaders of tomorrow will be alumni of the university.

Creativity and Self-Expression Abound

In a country with limited natural resources, Palestine’s human resources are its most valuable capital. Dar al-Kalima equips its students with quality education and vital entrepreneurial skills for the 21st-century market. The university has five colleges:

College of Fine Arts: Contemporary Art, Film Production, Performing Arts
College of Architecture & Design: Architecture, Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design
College of Cultural Management: Arts Management, Cultural and Sustainable Tourism, Sports Management
College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research: Visual & Performing Arts, Management of Cultural Institutions.
Technical Community College for two-year diplomas

Dar al-Kalima University

“Our aim is that our people, who admire stars, will dare to look up and dream, to believe in goals to strive for, and develop a new sense of hope, community, beauty and faith.”

– Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President

Student and Faculty Diversity

The student body reflects the social, economic, and religious diversity of the Palestinian community. While most students come from different parts of the Bethlehem region including Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, and nearby refugee camps, more and more students are enrolling from villages and communities throughout the West Bank. The student population is 76% Muslim and 26% Christian, 63% female and 37% male.

The faculty and staff reflect the diversity of the student body. Half the Dar al-Kalima University Board is female, 75% of the Vice Presidents, half of the University's Deans, and just under half of the staff is female. Faculty use creative teaching methodologies to bring art, music, acting, writing, photography, film, tourism, culinary arts, information technology, and a host of other skills to life.

Providing Hope for the Next Generation

“My generation doesn’t know anything about cinemas…Dar al-Kalima gave me the chance to lead this club and make it a real thing.”

– Rana Abu Shukhaidem, Dar al-Kalima University alumna

Growth of Palestinian Population

More than half of the Palestinian population is under the age of 19. Current projections indicate that the overall population is expected to grow by at least 3.2% a year for the next ten years. Without an expansion of the education system to absorb these growing numbers, many gifted young people in Palestine will have nowhere to further their education beyond the 12th grade and will have extremely limited employment opportunities.

Dar al-Kalima University is a direct answer to the current shortage of higher education institutions in Palestine. It is a beacon of hope for future generations. DAK is committed to building a culture of democracy, critical thinking, and free expression, thus strengthening civil society in Palestine.

History of Dar al-Kalima University

Dar al-Kalima University was first accredited as a college in 2006, and the first students graduated in 2008. In 2010, the school moved to a new campus in order to expand its programs. It was accredited in 2013 as Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture. In recent years, the university has grown in remarkable ways. The campus now features a library, art gallery, nature reserve, cultural heritage building, and sports complex. It recently added a training center in Gaza, which creates opportunities for artists to exhibit and market their work. In 2021, the university received accreditation as Dar al-Kalima University, a full-fledged university that can offer graduate studies.

Academic Programs

Dar al-Kalima University enrolls over 400 degree-seeking students, as well as 100 students per month enrolled in continuous education classes. The university is organized into five colleges with many bachelor’s degree programs and two-year diploma programs offered. BA programs are currently offered in:

College of Fine Arts: Contemporary Art, Film Production, Performing Arts
College of Design: Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design
College of Cultural Management: Arts Management, Cultural and Sustainable Tourism, Sports Management
College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research: accreditation for three new programs currently underway

Students can obtain a two-year diploma at the Community Technical College. Diploma programs are offered in Art Education, Contemporary Fine Art, Documentary Film, Drama and Theater Performance, Glass and Ceramic, Jewelry Design, Music Performance, Palestinian Tour Guides, and Photography. The Food and Beverage Management program has two specialized one-year diplomas in Advanced Hospitality and Culinary Art.

If you would like to help build a solid future for these college students, please consider a gift to provide scholarships to budding artists, chefs, filmmakers, journalists, photographers, and leaders.

VISIT DAR AL-KALIMA UNIVERSITY'S WEBSITE