Supporting higher education in Gaza: understanding needs and opportunities for scaled up, coordinated response mechanisms

This webinar, co-hosted by the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) and swisspeace, aims to raise awareness of the critical needs facing higher education institutions in Gaza and emphasise the essential role they play. It will present recent findings from a needs assessment conducted by swisspeace in collaboration with a senior administrator and academic from the Islamic University of Gaza, highlighting the urgent psychological, financial, and educational challenges faced by Gaza's universities, students, and faculty members. The webinar will offer a platform for universities in Gaza to share their unique challenges, discuss existing support mechanisms, and explore how a coordinated network of local and international actors can mobilise effective assistance. The session will also address the vital role of higher education during conflict and post-war recovery, with CHS experts providing insights and drawing comparisons with similar situations in the region.