Al-Israa University Participates in "Rebuilding Higher Education in Gaza" Conference in Qatar

Gaza – Public Relations Al-Israa University - Palestine participated in the "Rebuilding Higher Education in Gaza" conference, hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha, Qatar, on April 14-15. The conference addressed ways to reconstruct Gaza's higher education sector following the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing Israeli war. Representing Al-Israa University’s president, Dr. Ahmed Al-Masri presented a video documenting the devastation inflicted on the university, including its buildings, university hospital, and Heritage Museum, which was turned into a detention center by occupation forces. This highlighted the urgent need for alternative and practical solutions to overcome the crisis. Additionally, Dr. Al-Masri participated in meetings with Dr. Ma’amar Ashteiwi, head of the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, along with presidents and representatives of Palestinian universities. Discussions focused on coordinating mechanisms and linking Palestinian universities with their counterparts in Jordan to ensure the continuity of higher education for Gaza’s students. During the conference, Dr. Al-Masri also presented a research paper titled: "Building Resilience in Higher Education: A Hybrid Learning Model for Gaza’s Universities." The study, presented alongside contributions from other researchers, assessed the needs of Gaza’s higher education sector, which has been disrupted and destroyed since the war began in October 2023. The research proposed a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges facing higher education amid war: establishing mobile, fully equipped educational units near major refugee camps in Gaza. These units would enable students and faculty to continue education online without needing to travel long distances or face life-threatening risks. The study also explored a blended (hybrid) learning system, combining in-person and online education, drawing from successful experiences of Japanese universities that adopted this model during COVID-19. Dr. Al-Masri emphasized that these mobile, tech-equipped units could be implemented immediately without waiting for the war to end. Despite the risk of these units being targeted by occupation forces, Dr. Al-Masri stressed the urgent need for phased implementation, alongside efforts to rebuild Palestinian universities. He clarified that this initiative is not a permanent solution but ensures minimum educational continuity under extreme conditions. This research and proposal serve as a call to international donors and educational institutions to contribute to upholding students' right to education, despite the harsh realities in Gaza—a step toward preserving the future of education in Palestine.