The Oxford Brookes University Gaza Scholarship Scheme was set up in 2009 to let the people of Gaza know that they are not forgotten.

The Gaza Scholarship is a fully-funded annual scholarship for a Master's degree at Oxford Brookes University, and is made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Since 2009 we have had nine incredible, dedicated students come to Oxford to study and grow as individuals – made possible by the education and experience that the scholarship offered them.

Support the Gaza Scholarship Appeal

Your support is a catalyst for change. Our eight Gaza scholars have all made a positive impact on countless others:

Ramy Salemdeeb, Omar Jouda, Jehan Alfarra and Hassan Alhallaq
(Pictured left to right) Ramy Salemdeeb, Omar Jouda, Jehan Alfarra and Hassan Alhallaq

Jehan Alfarra completed her MSc in Computing in 2014. Based in London, she is a writer and has contributed for the books The Arab Spring: 5 Years On and Gaza Writes Back.

Hassan Alhallaq completed his studies for an MSc in E-Business in 2013 and was awarded a prize from the Department of Computing and Communication Technologies for his outstanding achievement. He returned to Gaza but came back to the UK in 2016 after being awarded a research studentship by the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment at Oxford Brookes to pursue his PhD, which is on-going.

Ramy Salemdeeb completed his MSc in Environment Management and Technology in 2011. He has since set up the first regional initiative to promote sustainable waste management in the Middle East. Ramy was recently awarded a PhD by the University of Cambridge.

Omar Jouda studied for a Master's in E-Business 2016-17 and progressed to an internship in London. He had previously set up his own online business in Gaza and is confident that the Master's course at Brookes will assist him in developing and growing his business further. He also won a social entrepreneurship prize at Brookes with a fellow student to develop an app that builds bonds between refugees and the local Oxford community through a passion for food.

Jamila Alza'anin

Jamila Alza'anin completed her Master's in Development & Emergency Practice in 2012 and most recently has worked as Communications and Coordination Officer in Dubai for Sharjah Voluntary Award, a local organisation that promotes and supports voluntary sector work in the Middle East.

Amal Jaber

Amal Jaber graduated with an MA in Development and Emergency Practice in 2018. Prior to coming to Oxford, Amal was a training coordinator with UNRWA's Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit.

"At Oxford Brookes, I met new people from different parts of the world with different experiences which have widened my horizons about different cultures and different lifestyles.

"I have achieved my goal to enrich my knowledge about refugees’ studies and humanitarian aid regime, as well as the livelihood and self-reliance discourse and durable solutions. The whole experience was fantastic, enriching and pleasurable at the same time."

Shaymaa AlWaheidi

Shaymaa AlWaheidi completed her Master's in Public Health in the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences in 2015 and returned to Gaza to work with the International Medical Corps in Gaza as a primary healthcare officer. She started her PhD in October 2017 at King’s College London, continuing her focus on the lack of support for early diagnosis and treatment facilities for women with breast cancer in Gaza.

Hadil Louz

Hadil Louz studied for an LLM in Human Rights Law in 2018/19. Before coming to Oxford, Hadil worked in the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) Gaza Field Communications Office.

"After 2 years of trying for the Scholarship, I got it. I am now in Oxford Brookes studying International Human Rights Law. I can't quite believe it! I am accomplishing my dream which I fought so hard to make real."

Haya Abdalhadi

Haya Abdalhadi studied for an MA in Development and Emergency Practice in 2019/20. The skills and knowledge she learnt on the course are very much needed in Gaza, and she plans to return to contribute positively to the situation there.

"I want my people to live a decent life, in peace. After so many years of suffering and sacrifices, we deserve to be respected as human beings – to be supported and to be listened to."

The chance for these students to study at Oxford Brookes for a degree is a transformative one, one often described by them as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As Omar Jouda, our 2016/17 Gaza Scholar says: “Brookes has given me the opportunity to live the dream of thousands of young Gazans. While being here, I’ve restored my hope and learned more about the world in six months than I did in 25 years.”

Your support will help ensure that more outstanding students from Gaza, like Omar, can also ‘live the dream’.

Support the Gaza Scholarship Appeal

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