Turkey hosts Science Cafe events to support Gaza universities

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey organized a series of “Science Cafe” events across more than 70 provinces and 100 universities to support Gaza's academic community. Launched on September 1, World Peace Day, the “Solidarity Program with Gaza Universities” aimed to highlight the challenges faced by Palestinian students and academics attempting to maintain education and scientific research amidst conflict.

The program featured direct and live connections with Palestinian academics and students. Participants shared testimonies through videos and short films depicting the destruction in Gaza and the current state of higher education in the region. Notable figures, including YÖK President Erol Özvar and Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education Amjad Barham, participated in the sessions.

Specific university rectors from Gaza, including representatives from the Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University, joined the discussions virtually to discuss the future of their institutions. Local events, such as those held at Aksaray University, also incorporated Palestinian poetry and personal testimonies to emphasize the role of education in peacebuilding.