‘Relief’ as government confirms it will evacuate Gazan students

Campaigners have spoken of their “relief” after the government announced that it will renew a scheme to evacuate Gazan students to take up places at UK universities. 

Last year ministers helped evacuate more than 100 Gazan students with offers at UK universities but the scheme was riddled by delays and uncertainty. 

A ceasefire was announced between Israel and Gaza last year but more than 1,000 people have died in Gaza since then, and students are still unable to freely leave the strip. 

This week foreign secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the government would again step in to help evacuate students with offers to study in the UK. This includes those participating in the prestigious Chevening scholarship, run by the Foreign Office to fund studies for individuals with leadership potential, as well as students on other fully funded scholarships.

Nora Parr, a volunteer at the Gaza Scholarship Initiative and academic at the University of Birmingham, told Times Higher Education that it was a “relief” and “good news” that the scheme has been renewed, adding that the Gazan students were “so excited” to hear the announcement. 

There are currently about 40 students with fully funded scholarships and offers for UK universities, and Parr expects the total number of students to reach similar levels to last year, with numerous universities delaying making offers until the government confirmed that it would evacuate students. 

Parr described the government’s handling of the scheme last year as “utter chaos”, noting that delays meant some students did not arrive until January, and “universities had a week in the middle of the summer to prepare for the arrival of genocide survivors”.

Confirmation that the government would support the evacuation of students was not announced until the end of August for those with Chevening scholarships, while students on different scholarships did not receive confirmation until September, with students’ eligible dependents not receiving confirmation they would be evacuated until October. 

“We’re just relieved that it’s come early this year, and we very much hope that we can just get some transparency and effective communication for students and to get them here, and ensure that students who are eligible to bring their families arrive with their families, and that they arrive on time for class.”

One student, Malak, who has an offer to study at SOAS, University of London, said he is “excited for this new chapter” but is “anxious” over whether he “will make it on time” after last year’s delays. 

“Transforming deep fear into triumphant hope, this righteous decision fuels our determination to continue learning and achieve our potential,” said Walaa, who has an offer from Goldsmiths, University of London.

Loay, who is set to study at the University of Oxford, said: “I’m so excited. This decision changes everything, and I can’t wait to get to my studies.”

Cooper, who also announced that the government would evacuate critically ill children to provide them with NHS care, said the UK “must continue” to support Gazan students, and said the situation in Gaza “remains dire”. She has previously promised to develop more systematic support for refugee students.

“Talented young people from across Gaza must not be denied their chance to study because of the horrendous conditions and restrictions they still face. We will continue to run special arrangements to help Chevening scholars and other students with places at world-class UK universities to support the next generation of Palestinian leaders,” she said.

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com