The difficulty of being a university student in Gaza was discussed…

An event titled “Being a University Student in Gaza” was organized by the Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department within the scope of “Science Cafe for Gaza” activities. The program addressed the current situation of university education in Gaza and the difficulties experienced by students. Academics and students from Islamic University of Gaza shared their experiences through online connections, drawing attention to the continuation of education despite all difficulties. 

The “Being a University Student in Gaza” program was organized by the Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports Department within the scope of “Science Cafe for Gaza” activities.

Held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall in the Central Campus, the program discussed the state of university education in Gaza, the difficulties students face in their academic lives, and the situation of universities under current conditions.

The program began with a recitation of the Holy Quran and a video screening titled “A Student’s Day in Gaza.”

Following the opening speeches, Dr. Jawad Taha, Head of the Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department at Islamic University of Gaza, participated in the program via online connection. The program also featured video messages from students of Islamic University of Gaza and Üsküdar University.

Prof. Osman Çerezci: “The university is still continuing its scientific studies”

Prof. Osman Çerezci, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Üsküdar University, who delivered the opening speech of the program, drew attention to the importance of continuing university education in Gaza. Çerezci stated that Islamic University of Gaza continues its scientific studies despite the destruction of its educational buildings and laboratories, and expressed that the university is among the scientifically strong universities. Çerezci said; “This event reminds me of the earthquake I experienced in 1999. Houses were destroyed there, university buildings were destroyed. Everyone was on the streets, survivors went to other cities, and the university did not open for a year. It did not provide education, then it started, but the scene I see here is much more tremendous than the earthquake event we experienced. The university buildings have been destroyed, laboratories have been destroyed, but the university is still continuing its scientific studies.”

“Freedom and education are a great blessing”

Çerezci, referring to the fact that educational life is also affected by harsh conditions, in addition to the difficulties people living in Gaza experience in accessing basic needs, emphasized that students should appreciate the opportunities they have. Çerezci stated that coming to university peacefully, studying in libraries, and being able to continue one's education is an important opportunity, and drew attention to the value of freedom.

Çerezci said; “We all have lessons to learn. Freedom is very important. The standards in our country, living standards, education standards… We are very fortunate to have these. We come to school peacefully, we study in libraries peacefully, we go home. We must appreciate this. This is a great blessing.”

Çerezci, stating that he appreciates Islamic University of Gaza for continuing its educational activities despite all difficulties, also emphasized the sensitivity of the participants gathered for the program regarding the events in Gaza.

Dr. Jawad Taha: “These students carry the hope of becoming scientists”

Dr. Jawad Taha, Head of the Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department at Islamic University of Gaza, who participated in the program via online connection, began his speech by emphasizing students' right to education. Taha stated that the situation in Gaza should be evaluated not only through images of destruction but also through the lives of students. Taha said; “Today, I don't want to talk to you about Gaza only with numbers, nor do I want to talk only about destruction. Because the whole world has seen the images of destruction. I want to talk to you about people, about Palestinian students, about young men or women sitting in a tent under difficult conditions. However, it should not be forgotten that these students carry the hope of becoming doctors, engineers, or scientists.”

“Even the simplest details of life have become difficult in Gaza”

Taha stated that daily life in Gaza has become difficult even in terms of accessing the most basic needs, and explained the conditions faced by students trying to continue their education. Taha said; “Even the simplest details of life have become difficult in Gaza. Accessing drinking water, food, clothing, electricity, internet, and a suitable and safe place to live is now very challenging. Families who have lost their homes are trying to live in tents and temporary shelters. They try to meet their basic needs every day.”

“Despite this, he/she still wants to learn”

Taha continued his words by stating that there are students who are trying to continue their education amidst all these conditions:

“There is a Palestinian student trying to continue his/her education amidst these harsh conditions. A student who cannot afford transportation costs, whose family cannot pay university fees, who cannot find a quiet place to study, and who does not even have a book to refer to... Despite this, he/she still wants to learn.”

Taha also provided information regarding the educational infrastructure of Islamic University of Gaza, drawing attention to the university's classroom, laboratory, and library capacity.

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Video screenings were held

Following Dr. Jawad Taha’s online speech, a video screening was featured in the program.

Yusuf Asaleye, a Software Engineering graduate from Üsküdar University, and Fuad Tavil, an Electrical-Electronics Engineering student from Islamic University of Gaza, also contributed to the program via video connections.

The program, which also featured video screenings regarding Islamic University of Gaza and Üsküdar University ISS Team, concluded with its closing section.