On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the MESA Global Academy, in partnership with the Arab Studies Institute, BRISMES, NSMES, the Scholars at Risk Network, and the New University in Exile Consortium, hosted six scholars from Gaza who spoke about their efforts to sustain higher education in the face of genocide and scholasticide. Dr. Asli Bali of Yale Law School and MESA and Dr. Bassam Haddad of George Mason University and the Arab Studies Institute moderated the online discussion (in Arabic) with Drs. Ahmed Abu Shaban, Yousef Algherbawi, Osama Hamdouna, and Mohab Sawali of Al-Azhar University; Dr. Wesam Amer of Gaza University; and Dr. Mohammed Hamdona of the Islamic University of Gaza.
Please find a summary of the event in English below:
The panel discussion focused on the challenges and efforts related to sustaining higher education in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict, specifically after October 7. The session brought together six scholars from various universities in Gaza, each with insights into the resilience and struggles of the academic community in Palestine. The importance of sustaining higher education in Gaza was emphasized throughout the panel, as the region has long experienced the targeted destruction of its educational infrastructure. Universities and schools have been repeatedly bombed, and many academics have faced displacement or assassination. Within this context, Gazan academics are finding alternative ways to engage with students to support their education as they conceptualize a post-war intellectual life in Gaza. The discussion centered on two main questions. First, what are the experiences of Gaza’s scholars during the war and its impact on universities, departments, and students; and second, how have scholars sustained higher education in Gaza despite these challenges?
Dr. Ahmad Abu Shaban began by outlining the long-standing challenges facing Gaza's educational system, pointing out that the targeting of higher education is not new but has been part of a systematic effort to cripple Palestinian academic institutions. However, since October 7th, intensified airstrikes have murdered students and professors, destroyed academic buildings, and caused intensive psychological trauma. This amounts to intellectual genocide in which the intellectual life of Palestine has been systematically targeted.
As a result of the destruction, universities in Gaza were unable to continue in-person classes, and many turned to online education. Despite attempts to continue education through online platforms, the lack of electricity and reliable internet access made it nearly impossible for both students and professors to engage in meaningful academic work. Alternative technologies such as WhatsApp groups of over a thousand students and Telegram channels sharing recorded lectures allow professors to provide support for students’ continued learning. Additionally, student clubs mobilized to assist those who could not afford materials, and some volunteers worked to provide students with printed educational resources. However, constant airstrikes made it dangerous for students and professors to distribute physical materials to students who could not connect virtually.
While online education has been a crucial lifeline for some students, it is far from an ideal solution in Gaza's current context. Even for those who have internet access, the constant threat of bombings and displacement makes it difficult to focus on academics. Additionally, some professors have been forced to teach without compensation, adding to the financial strain on Gaza's already impoverished education system. Several initiatives are working to support Palestinian students, including the Isnad program, which aims to provide financial assistance to students and support higher education institutions in Gaza. Through programs like this, individuals and organizations can donate to help cover tuition fees, providing much-needed relief to students who are already struggling with the loss of family members, displacement, and the disruption of their studies. Financial support from donors is necessary to ensure that Palestinian universities can continue their educational missions. Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized the importance of international solidarity and support for Gaza’s higher education institutions. The panelists also called for the establishment of scholarships, both for students and for faculty, to ensure that those who are displaced or unable to continue their education in Gaza have opportunities to study and work abroad.
In thinking of a post-war future, educators in Gaza face the daunting task of rebuilding the educational system. While online education may continue to be a part of the solution for a time, there are broader deficiencies to address. Once the war ends, there will be a need for psychological rehabilitation of both students and faculty, as well as the rebuilding of educational infrastructure. Multiple panelists stressed the importance of providing mental health services to students and faculty members as an essential aspect of rebuilding Gazan academic institutions. The rebuilding process will take time, and it will require significant financial resources as well as intensive training for students to prepare them for the post-war workforce. This work also includes rebuilding laboratories, procuring necessary equipment, and providing professional development opportunities for faculty. The rebuilding of Gaza’s education system will therefore require the cooperation of universities across Palestine and international support. The panelists called for a united effort to help universities in both Gaza and the West Bank, ensuring that all Palestinian universities receive the support they need in the face of continued occupation.
Ultimately, the message of panelists was ubiquitous: the education system in Gaza is a vital part of Palestinian resilience, and it must be supported by the international community. The academic institutions, students, and educators in Gaza use education to reassert their dignity in the face of occupation and ongoing violence. The call to stop the war is the first and most urgent step, but the international community must also support Gaza’s education system, both during and after the conflict, to ensure that it can continue to thrive in the face intellectual genocide and continued military occupation.
