A PALESTINIAN woman is looking forward to helping with the development of the health service in her homeland.

Rula Mohammad Ramez Al-Khayyat is the first Palestinian scholarship student to take a post-graduate degree at Durham Business School.

The 26-year-old, who already holds an honours degree in pharmacy from the An-Najah National University, is studying for an MA in management in the North-East.

Once she graduates in the summer, Rula intends returning to the Middle East to work in the General Directorate of Pharmacy at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, building a modern health service in her homeland.

She said: "Eventually, I hope to gain a top job at the Health Ministry where I can work on implementing new strategies and policies that best serve my people.

"This is my contribution to developing a new, forward-looking Palestine, as it emerges from the shadow of occupation."

Professor Tony Antoniou, Dean of Durham Business School, said: "Rula has done fantastically well on getting the scholarship."