News
01 November 2010
First Gaza Scholarship student joins Oxford Brookes
Ramy Salemdeeb, 24, (pictured) is studying Environmental Management and Technology. This is the first time he has journeyed out of Gaza, the Palestinian city lying in the Gaza Strip.
The scholarship scheme was the brainchild of a number of university supporters, in particular Brookes honorary graduate Sir Iain Chalmers, who has worked in Gaza, and Dr Paul Brankin, who is an honorary fellow.
They, together with other philanthropists, raised enough money to fund the first two of three students over three years.
"It’s a good chance for me to present the situation in Gaza here,” explained Ramy, “and for me to transfer my experience.”
The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. About 1.5 million people live in a ribbon of land nearly 30 miles long and between three and five miles wide.
The area is the focus of a bitter conflict with neighbouring Israel. While the cause of this violence is a hugely controversial topic encompassing many issues including borders, settlements, security and water rights, it is now subjected to an Israeli blockade and its infrastructure has all but been destroyed in recent years.
Sir Iain wanted to create a project that would not only provide a valuable chance for a talented scholar but also provide opportunities for others to find out about the situation facing Gazans.
“It had to be educational, linked to Oxford Brookes and I wanted to make sure the university learnt something about Gaza.”
Paul Brankin backed the scholarship project in order to let the people of Gaza know they had not been forgotten: “This is an expression of care within Oxford Brookes for Gaza and the people of Gaza,” he explained.
Sir Iain, a doctor, lived in the Gaza Strip for two years while working for the United Nations.
“Israel controls everyone who goes in and everyone who goes out. They want to make life extremely difficult for the Palestinians."
He said sewage plants were not working and water is becoming increasingly polluted. “There are sewage lakes. People are often without electricity, and materials needed to repair the damage done during the Israeli attack are not allowed in.”
Palestinian groups and some local human rights organisations say around 1400 Gazans died during an escalation of fighting early in 2009. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, also died.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders disagree over the cause of this violence but Sir Iain commented: “Quite apart from the humanitarian horror, Israeli action destroys things which we, the British, have paid for through the European Union and the United Nations.”
He added: “People like me have absolutely no possibility of making a difference to the political situation; but there are modest ways, like the Brookes scholarship, through which we can try to show our support for the Palestinian people.”
