The Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholarship: a lifeline for Soha’s future
Soha Altayeb was working as a medical officer in Gaza when she got the news that she had been chosen to receive the Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholarship.
She arrived in Oxford with a dream: to deepen her knowledge of nutrition and its impact on health. "I was dealing with patients with diabetes and hypertension," explains Soha. "We'd often advise lifestyle changes, including exercise, but my medical training didn't fully equip me to provide comprehensive sports and exercise nutrition guidance." This realisation fuelled her decision to pursue an MSc in Applied Sport & Exercise Nutrition at Oxford Brookes. “There is a whole module covering nutrition related to cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, the course was the perfect fit for me.”
Overcoming challenges and finding community
This exciting new chapter in her life was soon affected by disturbing events from back home. The war in Gaza left Soha feeling isolated, grappling with immense personal loss and understandably disrupted her studies. "The war started a month after I arrived on campus," she recalls. “In December, my sister texted saying that [the authorities had said] the street my family was displaced to was going to be bombed and then I didn't hear from her again until very late January. I just stayed in my room worrying and watching the news looking for familiar faces and for names on the list of casualties.”
Despite these challenges, Soha found support within the University community. "Everyone has been so supportive," she shares, highlighting the kindness shown by her module leaders and scholarship advisor, as well as the weekly counselling sessions she received. Sir Ian and Jan Chalmers, supporters of the scholarship, also provided invaluable friendship.
The escalating conflict forced Soha to seek asylum in the UK. "I had nowhere to go even if the war did finish. Everything I know in Gaza City has been destroyed: the university where I studied, the medical centre where I worked, my family home,” she explains. "With the University's support, I started seeking asylum and was granted humanitarian protection." This provided her with the security and stability to continue her studies here and make plans for the future.
For Soha, the Gaza Scholarship was more than just an educational opportunity, it was a beacon of hope during unimaginable circumstances. "The scholarship saved my life. In Gaza, I probably would have been killed by now," she reflects. “And also, me being here was a source of hope for my family. At least one of us is safe. That made them really happy.”
Nutrition students in the kitchen lab.
Looking ahead: a future of research and impact
Now, with her studies nearing completion, Soha is looking towards the future. She plans to pursue a PhD, either to improve understanding of diabetes development to support finding new treatments or relating to treating diabetes through nutrition and exercise. "One of the PhDs I applied for is related to how fat cells influence diabetes and hypertension” she explains, highlighting her dedication to research that can significantly impact global health.
Soha's journey is a reminder that education can be a powerful force for change, offering not only academic growth but also hope, resilience, and the opportunity to rebuild lives in the face of immense adversity. "I just want to say that I think of Oxford Brookes as home now," she shares, expressing her deep gratitude for the support she has received.
How to support the scholarship
The scholarship is co-funded by the British Council’s Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians (HESPAL) scheme. Oxford Brookes University raises the remaining funds from individual donors (£14,000 a year) to welcome a new Gaza scholar on campus. Every donation makes a difference and is gratefully received. Make a donation to the scholarship.