The late mayor of Hebron, Sheikh Mohammad ‘Ali Al-Ja’bari, wished to establish an institution of higher learning to offset restrictions and obstacles created by the occupation by Israel.

In 1971 the foundation was laid and forty-three students joined the 'Sharia' college from different parts of the Palestinian Territories.

After the attack the university was closed by the newly formed Israeli Civil Administration for a period of time.

[3] Hebron University is governed by an autonomous Board of Trustees composed of educators and professionals from the Palestinian community.

The board approves the budget and general development plans presented to it by the university council.

The College of Graduate Studies offers MA and Msc degrees in Arabic Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics & Teaching English Language, History, Islamic Judiciary, Plant Protection, Natural Agriculture Resources & its Sustainable Management, Management, Foundations of Religion, Mathematics, Chemistry As of 2015[update] there were 170 full-time faculty members of whom 105 are Ph.D. holders.

There are nine colleges at Hebron University: Islamic Law (Al-Shari`a), Arts, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Education, Finance and Management, Nursing, and Pharmacy and Graduate Studies.

degrees in eight programs: Arabic language and literature, Islamic judiciary, Plant Protection, Natural Agricultural Resources and their Sustainable Management, Business Administration MBA, Applied Linguistics and the Teaching of English Language, History, and Fundamentals of Islamic Law.

[citation needed] Since 2008, HU has been running an Intensive academic program for undergraduate Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.

[4] In 2008, Radio Alam was established as a tool to reach the university community and the public with important educational messages, current affairs shows and other useful programmes on 96.1 FM.