Graduation celebrations at An Najah National University in Nablus
Nablus: Education
and Palestinian Students in Dundee
Education is a vital human necessity. It enriches Dundee to have Palestinian students here.
Education
Education is highly valued by communities across Palestine.
In 2018, UNICEF reported that 95.4% of children in Palestine were enrolled in basic education.
However, these figures hide the challenge it is for children and young people across the West Bank to get to school or university.
Also, with unemployment rates very high, many young people find jobs hard to find that match up to their qualifications. This can impact on the motivation to continue studying.
As well as many primary and secondary schools, Nablus is also home to An Najah National University which is the largest in Palestine with some 20,000 students. It offers a very wide range of courses ranging from education to healthcare, science to business.
There are also several community groups across Nablus that provide training and development opportunities to young people including the Witness Centre for Citizen Rights and Social Development and Seeds For Development and Culture.
Barriers that impede children and young people learning
School and university students in Nablus face multiple barriers – both physical and emotional – to successfully completing their education.
The Israeli army checkpoints can delay or prevent them from getting to their place of study on a regular basis. Walking past Israeli settlements can lead to confrontations.
Constant drone activity over the city and overnight army raids into the city can disrupt their sleep and feeling of security.
Family members may be arrested or injured increasing anxiety and distress.
They themselves may be arrested and held for indeterminate amounts of time, which can lead to them falling behind in their studies and having to resit a year or even two.
Such violence and obstacles in their daily lives can have a serious impact on children’s psychological well-being and learning.
Insecure employment for other family members, due to the political situation, can lead to poverty and pressure on young people to cut short their education to find work.
This is the reality for children and young people in Nablus trying to get an education.
Palestinian Students in Dundee
The University of Dundee has formed a strong bond and relationship with An Najah National University in Nablus.
In partnership with the British Council, they provide humanitarian scholarships at Masters or PhD level. They are also involved in training for staff in An Najah.
Over the years, many Palestinian students from Nablus and other cities, including Gaza, have studied at the University of Dundee. In 2018, Rasha Alshakhshir from Nablus came here to study for her PhD.
Here we share her thoughts on the ‘Dundee’ experience in her own words.
Rasha’s reflections on studying in Dundee
I would describe the relationship between the University of Dundee and I as a reciprocal loving one – I wanted Dundee and Dundee wanted me!
I first heard about the city through the Dundee-Nablus twinning association activities, then a delegation from the University visited An Najah National University, where I was working. My Dean at the time told me a lot about Dundee and that got me excited about the place.
I applied for a PhD programme in Inclusive Education, through the HESPAL scholarship, which aims to support higher education professionals to obtain postgraduate qualifications.
I was lucky enough to also become the first PhD student to receive a Humanitarian Scholarship at Dundee, and that made me feel very honoured and humble. Another four PhD students from my home university joined Dundee the following year.
I always tell people that living in Dundee has offered me the opportunity and space for personal growth, not only academically but also as a human being.
I have been blessed with a beautiful, supportive, and loving community in the School of Education and Social Work. I have faced challenges and celebrated with supervisors, friends, and PGR students. Getting to know diverse students from all over the world has added richness to my experience.
I vividly remember arriving in Dundee on the train. Crossing the bridge and seeing the vast River Tay is still engraved in my head. Of course, I also remember how cold it seemed having come from such a warm country!
The most difficult part was finding suitable accommodation for my family, as my daughters joined me here.
The weather and finding food stores also took some getting used to but within three months everyone had fully settled, and we knew how to navigate the city.
I returned to Palestine in December 2021 due to the terms of my contract with An Najah University but continue to work on my PhD and intend to submit my thesis in the next few months.
My studies in Dundee, withstanding of the challenges and the tears, were very enjoyable. I am researching a topic I enjoy and want to use this learning to serve the community in the Palestinian context in the future.
I would not only be providing a speciality that is most needed at my university, but I would also extend this to serve other institutions.
The potential research area in this field and collaboration with others is limitless and I hope to continue this with the University of Dundee after graduating.
Coming to Dundee has not only changed my life but also that of my daughters. My girls Liyan (15) and Dally (12) arrived in Dundee three years ago and joined a local school.
They have been able to experience a different education system, meet diverse students, form friendships, and explore Scotland. I think it has changed them into better version of themselves.
They are more resilient, independent and have Scottish accents! Liyan has mentioned many times that she aims to return to the University of Dundee to study Mental Health.
I would encourage anyone who has the passion, the heart, and the desire to continue their postgraduate studies to apply for a Humanitarian Scholarship. I can testify that it is a life-changing experience.
As I always say, living and studying in Dundee was everything for me and for my daughters – the PhD is just a bonus!