Charity pays for Gazan medical students to complete their studies with the University of Leicester

A charity has stepped in to cover the living costs of two medical students displaced from war-torn Gaza, to complete their studies at the University of Leicester.

The Hanoon Foundation (THF), a UK-registered charity dedicated to advancing medical education in Palestine, has donated £78,000 to allow the students to finish their studies and clinical training over the next four years

‘Mariam’, who is from the Al-Azhar University of Gaza, and ‘Layla’, an Islamic University of Gaza student, are the first to benefit from the University’s Displaced Medical Student Initiative after being displaced to the UK.

Read their story on our website.

The scheme was set up to offer hope and opportunity to medical scholars in any global territory whose education has been disrupted, and enables them to complete their studies and still gain a qualification from their home institution, with the University of Leicester hosting them as visiting students.

The war has seen all the universities in Gaza either partly or fully destroyed by Israel.

Dr Ahmed Massoud, Chairman of THF, said: “The Hanoon Foundation is proud to partner and support the University of Leicester’s Displaced Medical Student Initiative.

“Since its establishment in 1997, THF has supported thousands of students and doctors through various programmes, including scholarships, UK fellowship training and university laboratory funding.

“Through its partnerships with leading institutions such as the University of Leicester, THF continues to empower Palestinian medical students.

“With this support, two Gazan medical students are now able to continue their education and clinical training at the University of Leicester. Such students will form the spine of the future rebuilt healthcare system in Gaza and the rest of Palestine.”

Professor Shameq Sayeed is the Leicester Medical School’s Director of International Teaching Partnerships.

He said: “We are immensely grateful to The Hanoon Foundation for its generosity in supporting the ongoing study of displaced Gazan medical students here in the UK.

“Though their displacement – with family and friends still under constant threat in Gaza – constitutes an ongoing and unimaginable challenge, this funding removes at least one of the barriers to the students’ ability to complete their studies and return to Gaza as doctors.”

The University is waiving tuition fees and a fund has been established to support students and ensure the sustainability of this initiative. Single or regular gifts can be made via the University’s Giving page, by selecting ‘Displaced Students Initiative’ in the drop-down menu. Donations to the Hanoon Foundation can be made through their website.