College and University Monitor

Higher education and research in Palestine face many challenges from the ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. In fact Palestinian scientists have to work under restrictions on mobility of students and academics, international isolation, raids, and forced closures of Palestinian universities.

Despite these challenges, interest in science education and research in Palestine continues to grow rapidly. Over 25% of the population of 18-24 year olds enrolled in university and half the students are women, a ratio among one of the highest in the world. Several Palestinian universities rank highly among the universities in the region, including An-Najah University, Al-Quds University, Birzeit University, and the Arab American University Jenin, in the West Bank, and in Gaza, Al-Azhar University, Al-Aqsa University, and the Islamic University of Gaza.

Scientists for Palestine, along other organizations endorsing the event, will host a roundtable discussion to understand the circumstances faced by Palestinian academics, and scientists in particular, and what we can do to help. Our main guest is Suleiman Baraka, renowned Palestinian astrophysicist, full professor at al-Aqsa University in Gaza City and currently Fulbright scholar at Virginia Tech. We will also attempt to established a remote connection with Palestine to hear a report by the Right to Education Campaign - Palestine حملة الحق في التعليم on the situation of the West Bank.

This is a public event which will open the weekend long Second International Meeting for Science in Palestine. The weekend activities are for registered participants only, if you would like to participate please fill out the application form goo.gl/u8tkGU. The application deadline is October 30th 2018.