About the Emergency Committee
The Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza was established through a formal mandate from the Presidents of Gaza's three non-profit universities: Al-Azhar University-Gaza, including Al-Azhar Intermediate Studies College; Al-Aqsa University, including Al-Aqsa Community College; and the Islamic University of Gaza, including UCAS. Together, these institutions and their affiliated colleges represent approximately 80-85% of students enrolled in Gaza's university sector.
Formed in Response to an Urgent Call
The Committee was formed in response to the urgent call from Palestinian academics and university staff in Gaza, who called on the international community to resist the destruction of Palestinian higher education, work in partnership with Palestinian faculty to rebuild their institutions, and refuse initiatives that bypass or weaken Gaza's existing universities.
In their May 2024 open letter, Gaza academics and administrators reaffirmed their determination to resume teaching, study, and research in Gaza, at their own Palestinian universities.
to resume teaching, study, and research in Gaza, at their own Palestinian universities.
Our Purpose
The Emergency Committee works to mobilise material support, financial resources, and international academic partnerships so that universities in Gaza can continue teaching, sustain research, support students and faculty, and rebuild their institutions.
Its work is guided by three core commitments:
- 01
To support the survival of Gaza's universities as public institutions
The Committee works to secure urgent financial and operational support for universities, faculty, staff, and students.
- 02
To coordinate international academic partnerships
The Committee helps ensure that support from international universities, academics, and organisations is aligned with the priorities identified by Gaza's universities.
- 03
To protect the integrity of Gaza's higher education sector
The Committee calls for support that strengthens existing Palestinian institutions rather than bypassing them.
Our Mission & Vision
The Emergency Committee works to mobilise material support, financial resources, and international academic partnerships so that universities in Gaza can continue teaching, sustain research, support students and faculty, and rebuild their institutions.
It provides a collective framework for coordinating international support for Gaza's higher education sector.
Our Mission
To coordinate international support for Gaza's universities in ways that sustain teaching and research, protect institutional autonomy, support students and faculty, and contribute to the rebuilding of higher education in Gaza.
Our Vision
A future in which Gaza's universities remain active, recognised, and supported as central institutions of Palestinian academic life, knowledge production, public service, and national recovery.
Our Work
The Emergency Committee's work includes:
Financial Support
Mobilising financial support for Gaza's universities, students, faculty, and staff
Academic Continuity
Supporting academic continuity and online teaching
International Partnerships
Coordinating international partnerships
Infrastructure Rebuilding
Advocating for the rebuilding of destroyed university infrastructure
Student Scholarships
Supporting student scholarships through collective initiatives such as Isnad
Discipline-Specific Subcommittees
Facilitating discipline-specific subcommittees in priority areas including medicine, medical sciences, and education
Subcommittees
The member universities of the Emergency Committee have established joint subcommittees to coordinate support in areas of strategic priority.
Medicine and Medical Sciences
The Medicine and Medical Sciences Subcommittee works to sustain medical education, secure resources, and build partnerships with international institutions to support faculty and students in medicine and medical sciences.
Education and Arts
The Education and Arts Subcommittee works to develop international partnerships that support education faculties in Gaza.
Further subcommittees are being developed in other disciplines where urgent support is required.
Support Palestinian Universities in Gaza
Reach out to the Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza to discuss partnership, support, and collaboration opportunities.
E-mailinfo@gazauniversities.org