In Gaza, where conflict has left streets scarred and buildings shattered, education became an act of resistance. Students attended classes in bombed-out lecture halls, studied by candlelight during power cuts, and clung to hope as campuses crumbled. Now, with ceasefires holding, Gaza’s universities are rebuilding—but the road ahead is steep.
Gaza’s Universities: Teaching in the Rubble
Repeated airstrikes devastated institutions like Islamic University of Gaza (IUG), Al-Azhar University, and University College of Applied Sciences, destroying labs, libraries, and decades of research. Yet learning never stopped.
Professors held lectures in basements; students shared textbooks in shelters. “We lost buildings, but not our will to teach,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Madhoun (IUG). Online classes became a lifeline—when internet access allowed.
Students’ Defiance: Education as Survival
For Gaza’s youth, education is both a dream and defiance. Aya Khalaf, 21, medical student: “Studying under bombs taught us knowledge is our only weapon.”
- Engineering students repurposed rubble for experiments.
- Medical trainees practiced triage in overwhelmed hospitals.
- Hashtags like #GazaStudies trended as students posted shelter-classroom photos.
Rebuilding Gaza’s Universities: Costs & Challenges
Administrators estimate hundreds of millions are needed to:
– Repair collapsed buildings.
– Replace destroyed labs and books.
– Fund trauma counseling for students who lost families and homes.
Dr. Nasser Farahat (Al-Azhar University): “Rebuilding minds is as urgent as rebuilding walls.”
How the World Can Help Gaza’s Schools
Global initiatives underway:
1. Virtual exchange programs with EU/Mideast universities.
2. #BooksForGaza campaigns to restock libraries.
3. Crowdfunding for labs and dorms.
Dr. Lina Shams (Palestinian academic, Jordan): “Gaza’s students deserve global solidarity.”
The Future: Stronger Than Before
Enrollment remains high. Omar Hammad, engineering student: “We’ll rebuild—better.” For Gaza’s youth, education is a bridge to a future beyond blockade.
NextMinuteNews will follow Gaza’s academic revival.
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