In the wake of devastating and unprecedented tragedies unfolding in Gaza, universities across the globe are called upon to stand in solidarity with students whose access to education has been severely hindered. Most of their universities have been razed to the ground and their professors, colleagues, and mentors have tragically lost their lives.
Looking solely at education, 70% of schools and universities have been destroyed and/or damaged causing the education sector to incur losses of more than $720 million, according to the International Monetary Fund.
An-Najah National University (ANNU), recognizing the urgent need for a prompt intervention the day after the war, proposes a strategic initiative to provide Technical Educational Support (TESI) to Gaza's students through virtual learning platforms and open/shared resources. This groundbreaking initiative, in collaboration with UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and The Palestinian Student Scholarship Fund (PSSF). As we navigate this humanitarian crisis, we invite higher education institutions, organizations, and networks worldwide to join us in this endeavor, extending a lifeline of educational opportunity to those in dire need.
We will once again turn to digitalization during these turbulent times; only this time it is not to overcome obstacles and movement restrictions imposed by occupation or by the pandemic. Instead, it is to support the continuity of learning in Gaza and ensure that Palestinian students have access to quality education, even in the cruelest of times.
What Gaza is witnessing today is a massive destruction of cultural, historical, and academic properties - including universities, schools, libraries, and archival institutions. This devastation has targeted all components of our identity and cultural heritage. It has created an environment lacking the basic necessities of life and services, rendering Gaza an uninhabitable and uninhabited place. The educational landscape is at the core of this destruction, as the ongoing war is depriving about 608,000 students of their right to school education and has halted the education of over 90,000 university students. Additionally, 17 individuals holding the title of professor, 59 with a Ph.D. degree, and 18 with a master's degree were killed, devastating the academic backbone of Gaza’s universities.
ANNU, renowned for its academic excellence, high rankings, and commitment to social responsibility, seeks to address this crisis through innovative virtual learning solutions. ANNU's broad spectrum of graduate and undergraduate programs across numerous faculties positions it as a key contributor to Gaza's educational recovery efforts. The university's extensive academic portfolio and demonstrated success across multiple fields make it an ideal candidate to lead this important initiative.
The higher education system in Palestine, although young and vulnerable, has become accustomed and equipped to deliver in crises, conflicts, and emergencies. It has frequently turned to virtual education and emergency plans when needed and has succeeded in finding other concrete solutions to save and serve the education process. Therefore, we find ourselves well-equipped to lead this initiative and achieve all its set goals.
The proposed solution embedded within this initiative involves using blended learning or separate online classrooms, depending on the number of participating students from Gaza. It includes considering students from Gaza as "virtual visitor students" and accrediting them accordingly. Together with partner organizations like The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund (PSSF), as a funding entity, and Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), with its pool of experts and a growing number of universities, ANNU hopes to collaborate with numerous and various universities across the globe to restore the educational level in Gaza and provide the required online teaching resources.
Universities, higher education institutions, and networks are invited to join this call to assist in several key areas:
The success of this initiative relies on the support and collaboration of universities, higher education institutions, and networks worldwide. With the acquisition of necessary grants and resources, coupled with ANNU's academic expertise, this initiative is both feasible and impactful. By enrolling Gaza's students as visiting students, universities can facilitate the recognition and accreditation of courses in their home institutions.
ANNU's TESI program presents a proactive and innovative response to Gaza's educational crisis. By leveraging virtual learning technologies and global collaboration, we can provide much-needed support to students in Gaza, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations amidst adversity.
We call upon universities around the world to join us in this noble endeavor, demonstrating our collective dedication to education, innovation, and social responsibility. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of conflict-affected students and contribute to the long-term rebuilding of Gaza’s educational infrastructure.
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