Born 1945, Ramallah 
PhD in Nuclear Physics, American University of Beirut, 1972 
Master of Science in Nuclear Physics, University of Mainz, 1969
Research fellow at universities in Germany, Italy, France, England, Lebanon, and Jordan
Joined Birzeit University, 1980, University president, 2004–2010
PA Minister of Finance, 2012–2013
PA Minister of Planning, 2003 – 2005
PA Minister of Tourism, 2002
PA Minister of Bethlehem 2000 Project, 1998–2000
PA Minister without Portfolio, 1998
Member, Palestinian delegation to final status negotiations, 1999
Director-General, Technical and Advisory Committees to the Palestinian negotiating team, 1993–1994 
Member, interim phase negotiating team, 1994–1995
Deputy Head, Palestinian negotiating team in Washington, 1992-1993
Member, Palestinian delegation to the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference