Dr. Rateb Othman was born in Nablus in 1958. He is married and has four children.  Dr. Othman earned his Ph.D. in Veterinary Parasitology from Sarajevo University, 1991. He was the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture 2002-2004 and the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 2004-2009 at An Najah National University, where he has been a staff member since 1995. Dr. Othman has published on various topics in Veterinary Medicine.  Over the years, in addition to his active membership in many scientific and preparatory professional committees and task forces, he is a social activist at several local, regional and international institutions.