LONDON: Gazan students awarded prestigious scholarships to study in the UK will begin arrive in the country this autumn, after support from the British government enabled them to leave the war-torn territory, ministers said on Monday.
They include Palestinian recipients of the Chevening scholarship, a highly competitive program for foreign students that aims to recognize potential leaders, and other gifted individuals, and provide them with fully funded places on undergraduate and master’s degree courses at leading UK universities.
Officials said the educational support for Gazan students is recognition of the roles they might play in the eventual reconstruction of the territory and building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the conflict in Gaza had devastated education, and praised students for their “incredible resilience and unwavering determination” to continue their studies.
She thanked the government’s international partners, including the Jordanian government and Israeli authorities, for helping the students to leave Gaza, adding: “Our support also reflects the UK’s commitment to the future of postwar Gaza, where educating the next generation will play a vital role.”
