Doha, 3 December 2024 – The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) and swisspeace co-hosted a webinar today titled "Supporting Higher Education in Gaza: Understanding Needs and Opportunities for Scaled Up, Coordinated Response Mechanisms." The event brought together academics, policymakers, and humanitarian experts to highlight and discuss the urgent challenges facing Gaza's higher education sector and to explore pathways for sustainable support.
The webinar featured the latest findings from a comprehensive needs assessment, "Resilience in the Rubble: A Needs Assessment of Higher Education in The Gaza Strip", conducted by swisspeace in collaboration with a senior academic from the Islamic University of Gaza. Participants explored the psychological, financial, and educational challenges confronting students, faculty, and institutions amidst the ongoing conflict.
Panellists from the six Gaza's universities, including several university presidents, shared firsthand accounts of the unique challenges faced, including limited financial resources, the psychological toll on students, and difficulties in maintaining academic standards under conditions of siege. They also outlined how existing support mechanisms can be further strengthened through increased coordination between local and international actors.
The sessions underscored the critical role higher education plays not only in equipping individuals with skills, but also in fostering societal resilience and driving post-conflict recovery.
Dr Ghassan Elkahlout, Director of CHS, emphasised: "Higher education in Gaza is more than a system of learning; it is a lifeline for hope and a catalyst for rebuilding communities. This webinar has highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts to ensure that universities in Gaza can continue their vital work even in the face of adversity."
The director of swisspeace, Laurent Goetschel, noted the vital role of higher education institutions in Gaza, commending their resilience across extensive destruction – stating that: "Amid unprecedented challenges, these institutions persist, demonstrating their critical importance to communities during conflict. It is imperative for external actors to support them as central players in fostering a sustainable recovery."
The webinar concluded with a call to action for governments, donors, and international organisations to prioritise higher education as a core pillar of humanitarian and development responses in Gaza. By viewing universities as partners in recovery rather than passive recipients of aid, stakeholders can ensure a more sustainable and impactful response to the ongoing crisis.