In 2025, many students from Gaza are leaving their homes to pursue higher education abroad due to the ongoing war's impact on local universities. Amira Al-Khatib, a 24-year-old engineering graduate, recently arrived in the Netherlands to begin her master's degree at Radboud University. She expressed her gratitude for the support she received but described leaving Gaza as one of her hardest moments.
Students Depart Gaza for International Education
Al-Khatib, who graduated with a degree in computer systems engineering from Al-Azhar University, highlighted the challenges of studying in Gaza where internet connectivity was often unreliable. “I completed my graduation project with drones flying overhead, placing my hand over my heart every few minutes, hoping I would survive long enough to finish it,” she recalled. Her ambition is to develop technological systems that can function reliably during humanitarian crises.
Another student, Mohammad Herzallah, 20, left Gaza to enroll at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. “Before the war, I never imagined leaving Gaza,” he shared. Herzallah had hoped to continue his studies in Gaza but was forced to seek opportunities abroad as the situation worsened.
Bureaucratic Hurdles for Gazan Students
Both Al-Khatib and Herzallah received scholarships through the Gazan Student Support Network (GSSN), an NGO established in January 2024. GSSN Executive Director Mabrookah Heneidi remarked, “There are so many bureaucratic obstacles, and every country has its own challenges.” In the Netherlands, securing necessary approvals for student departures took over eight months and involved legal battles.
- 62 Palestinian students have Malaysian scholarships but face uncertain departure dates.
- Approval for transit from Jordan has been obtained, but leaving Gaza remains complicated due to lack of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Israel.
- Student departures must pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which has seen delays.
Impact of the War on Gaza's Education System
The war, which escalated after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has severely disrupted the education of Gaza's 88,000 university students. Many have lost their academic records as much of the educational infrastructure has been destroyed. A UN report in April 2024 warned of the “systemic obliteration” of Gaza’s education system, noting that over 80% of schools have been damaged or destroyed.
By November 2025, an estimated 95% of campuses in Gaza had been affected, with 22 campuses completely destroyed. Despite these challenges, some universities, including Al-Azhar University and the Islamic University of Gaza, have resumed limited in-person classes and online courses.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by DW English. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
