Turkish universities hold forums on Gaza higher education destruction

Turkish universities, including Çukurova University and Kafkas University, have organized academic programs to address the destruction of higher education in Gaza. These events, titled ‘Science Cafe for Gaza’, aim to highlight the challenges faced by Palestinian students and academics.

During a program at Kafkas University, Associate Professor Jaber Abu Shawish, Vice Rector of Al-Quds Open University, participated virtually. He reported that approximately 99 percent of higher education institutions in the region have been nearly destroyed and noted the significant loss of life among students and faculty. Despite these conditions, efforts to continue education through online and hybrid models are being made.

At Çukurova University, Rector Prof. Dr. Hamit Emrah Beriş emphasized that true peace requires children to be able to receive education safely and for academics to continue their research. The event featured video messages from individuals in Gaza describing the difficulties of maintaining academic life amidst physical destruction. Discussions also focused on increasing scholarship opportunities for Palestinian students studying in Turkey.