Driving Educational Change in Gaza

LUMS is leading transformative educational initiatives to support students in conflict-affected regions, making a profound impact on their lives and futures. One of the key projects is the ‘Tertiary Education for Students in Isolation’ (TESI), led by An-Najah University in the West Bank. TESI serves as an umbrella project aimed at helping Gazan students resume their education amidst challenging circumstances. Through TESI, Gazan students enroll as ‘visitor students’ at An-Najah University, facilitated by a special dispensation from the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education. LUMS has officially partnered with An-Najah University in this critical project, contributing significantly to the effort.

In addition to its partnership with TESI, LUMS has taken a proactive role in the establishment of the Academic Solidarity with Palestine (ASWP) initiative. Co-founded by Dr. Sultan Sial from LUMS, Anne Christine Habbard, Lecturer at Université Charles-de-Gaulle-Lille and a third colleague from France, ASWP is an NGO dedicated to supporting TESI by gathering and centralizing volunteer professors from around the globe. ASWP has become a vital partner for TESI, acting as the main hub for all volunteer professors involved in the project.

ASWP's mission is to ensure comprehensive coverage of all subject areas by volunteer professors, enabling a diverse range of courses. LUMS has played a pivotal role in this mission by effectively disseminating calls for volunteer professors, resulting in a remarkable response from its faculty. Excluding Palestinian universities, LUMS is the first university globally in terms of the number of volunteer professors for Gaza. The university's contribution was essential in the successful launch of several courses in April, which would not have been possible without the support of LUMS professors.

LUMS' involvement extends beyond providing volunteer faculty. The university's Computer Science department has been crucial in assisting An-Najah University with the logistical challenges of organizing numerous online courses simultaneously, particularly given the limited internet access and security issues faced in Gaza. LUMS mobilised its faculty, leveraged its expertise in computer science and online teaching, and activated its extensive alumni network, making a significant impact even before the official partnership with TESI was established.

The crisis in Gaza presents a chance to not only restore educational opportunities but also to enhance them. By providing access to some of the world’s best professors, innovative teaching methodologies, and expanded course options, LUMS aims to open new horizons for Gazan students. The project seeks to improve students’ English proficiency, introduce them to world-class teaching, and set up advanced facilities such as a state-of-the-art Language Lab.