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ISNAD - helping university students in Gaza to resume their education

A crisis in Gaza's education needs an urgent response.

The education system in Gaza has been devastated by ongoing attacks, affecting the dreams and futures of over 88,000 students. Despite these challenges, the ISNAD program aims to provide 30,000 scholarships to support 15,000 students as well as university staff in Gaza, enabling them to resume their studies through distance learning.

The program focuses on major universities such as Al-Azhar University, the Islamic University, and Al-Aqsa University, which collectively serve 72% of Gaza's university students. With a target of raising $16,000,000, ISNAD will cover tuition fees for two semesters, ensuring educational continuity and giving these students the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and for Gaza, thereby enhancing the resilience of Palestinian universities to survive and thrive.

Since the attacks began, educational facilities in Gaza have faced systematic destruction:  

20

Universities and Institutions Damaged Including the complete destruction of 35 buildings and 57 partially damaged

129

University Staff and Professors Killed

5,100

Academics and Employees Unable to Receive Their Salaries

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Since the attacks began, educational facilities in Gaza
have faced systematic destruction:

20  

Universities and institutions damaged including the complete destruction of 51 buildings and 57 partially

129

University staff and professors killed

5,100

Academics and employees unable to receive their salaries

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Areas of intervention

30,000 Scholarships

For two semesters to support both students and universities

15,000 Students

Supported through distance learning initiatives

University Resilience

Enhancing the ability of Palestinian universities to sustain themselves

ISNAD- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

ISNAD supports students enrolled in Gaza’s three public universities- Al Azhar, Al Aqsa, and the Islamic University- focusing on those in their final years of study. Priority is given to students in critical specialization that serve the emergency response and future reconstruction, such as health, engineering, education, and agriculture. It also supports students in digitally adaptable fields such as coding and digital marketing, helping them earn remotely and strengthen Gaza’s resilience.

ISNAD is tailored for crisis conditions. It not only supports students but also sustains Gaza’s public universities, operating through nationally endorsed mechanisms and targeting large-scale, urgent needs. It consolidates scattered emergency initiatives, scaling them into a structured, coordinated, and sustainable platform- aiming to become Palestine’s central scholarship mechanism. 

All funds are transferred directly to universities through formal financial mechanisms approved by the Palestinian Monetary Authority, ensuring full transparency and accountability. 

Yes. ISNAD operates under the umbrella of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education and in partnership with Gaza’s major public universities. 

Yes. Both individuals and institutions can contribute. Donations can be made via Taawon’s website here, or by contacting our fundraising team for partnership opportunities at ([email protected] ).

Through its steering committee and university representatives, Taawon monitors enrollment and graduation data, collects student surveys and testimonials, and receives university feedback and reports. 

ISNAD complements and coordinates partners' efforts under one structured, applicable national mechanism. ISNAD reduces duplication, ensures equal access, and aligns with Gaza’s reconstruction and educational recovery priorities. 

Scattered efforts can weaken impact; ISNAD scales them strategically. 
 

ISNAD recognizes connectivity as a major barrier. ISNAD works closely with universities and local partners to provide flexible learning options and support, including printed materials, offline access tools, and targeted digital access solutions whenever possible, building on the lessons of COVID and the realities of the aggression. 

We are also seeking partnerships to establish internet access hubs and digital learning solutions across Gaza. 

ISNAD treats education as a lifeline, operating as an educational survival strategy- ensuring students remain connected to learning, purpose, and hope. Even amid famine, students attend remote classes and complete exams. ISNAD gives them a path forward when everything else is collapsing. 

ISNAD seeks to prevent the collapse of Gaza’s higher education, and contributes to the steadfastness and resilience of national institutions by keeping students enrolled, supporting faculty, and preserving institutional continuity during aggression- laying the foundation for long-term recovery and development through (providing scholarship to majors that have direct impact to the current context and contributes to the reconstruction phase. 

These universities make up 78% of Gaza’s student population, and are public institutions, public universities, relying on governmental finances to continue operating, which cannot happen in the current political landscape. 

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About Taawon

Taawon is an independent collective of Palestinian entrepreneurs, business practitioners, scholars and thinkers, bound together across generations by our dedication for Palestine to persevere and thrive.
Since our establishment in 1983, Taawon has consistently worked to defend and preserve Palestinian culture and heritage, empowering communities and investing in human capital. Our interventions have included extensive support for the education sector, with $276,000,000 allocated to educational programs from 1983 to 2023. We work closely with local civil society organizations and a global support network to address the diverse needs of Palestinians.

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We are available for your inquiries.
Email us at [email protected]
 

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ISNAD: helping university students in Gaza to continue their education

20+ universities destroyed. 88 thousand students displaced. Education cannot wait.

ISNAD’s Target for 2026
30,000
Scholarships (2 semesters)
15,000
Students enabled for distance learning
$16M
Funding Goal

3-Month Sprint: Support 500 Students

 
0 / 500 students0%
days
🎓 university students per dayed
Why it matters

Education is a lifeline

Scholarships keep students on track, sustain Gaza’s universities and faculty, and protect the future of knowledge production in Palestine.

  • 88,000+ students affected
  • 20+ universities damaged
  • Direct payments to institutions
Give now

How ISNAD Works

Enhance the Ability of Universities in Gaza to endure and survive.

Support Academics, reduce brain drain, and provide the minimum requirements for perseverance.

Provide Scholarships for students to resume their university education through remote learning platforms.
 

Our Achievements so far

0
students supported (since 2024)
Cumulative
0
students graduated and joined the job market
Graduates

Make a direct impact

Sponsor one Student - one semester

$535

Ensure a student can continue their studies without interruption.

Sponsor one Student - one full academic year

$1,070

Provide stability across two semesters - tuition fully covered.

Scale up Empower a group of students

$5,350

Support 5 students for one semester: multiplying hope, not just numbers.

ISNAD — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click a question to view the answer.

1) Who does ISNAD support?
ISNAD supports students enrolled at Gaza’s three public universities—Al Azhar, Al Aqsa, and the Islamic University. Priority is given to students in their final years, and in fields essential to Gaza’s recovery: health, engineering, education, agriculture, as well as digitally adaptable sectors such as coding and digital marketing that allow graduates to work and earn remotely.
2) How is ISNAD different from other scholarship programs?
ISNAD is tailored for crisis conditions. It not only supports students but also sustains the entire ecosystem—universities, faculty, and learning infrastructure. Working under national coordination, ISNAD consolidates scattered relief efforts into one unified, transparent mechanism that ensures fairness, scale, and long-term sustainability.
3) How much does it cost to support a student?
• £400 (US $535) supports one semester of university.
• £800 (US $1,070) supports a full academic year—helping a student graduate and helping a university stay open.
4) Why should I support ISNAD?
Supporting ISNAD is an investment in dignity, recovery, and steadfastness. It sustains Gaza’s academic ecosystem, empowers youth to serve their communities, and protects the right to education—even amid destruction.
5) Who can contribute?
Everyone—individuals, universities, and institutions—can contribute. Donations can be made directly through Taawon’s website or by contacting our partnerships team at [email protected] for collaboration opportunities.
6) How is impact measured and reported?
Through its steering committee and university representatives, Taawon monitors enrollment and graduation data, collects student surveys and testimonials, and receives feedback and reports from the universities.
7) How does ISNAD address internet and digital barriers?
ISNAD recognizes that many students face limited access to the internet and power. We work with universities to provide offline materials and flexible learning options.
8) Can I support a specific student?
To ensure fairness and equal opportunity, ISNAD operates as a pooled fund. Your donation supports students based on need and academic criteria—ensuring maximum impact across all universities.
9) Why focus on the three public universities?
These universities make up 78%+ of Gaza’s student population and are public institutions relying on governmental finances to continue operating—which is not feasible in the current context. Supporting them sustains the backbone of higher education in Gaza.
10) How do you ensure equal distribution?
Scholarships are distributed proportionally to reflect enrollment numbers and maintain equity:
• Islamic University: 41%
• Al Aqsa University: 31%
• Al Azhar University: 28%
13) What long-term outcomes does ISNAD aim for?
ISNAD aims to prevent the collapse of higher education in Gaza; support reconstruction and national recovery; empower youth with in-demand skills; and strengthen public universities and national institutional resilience.
14) What is ISNAD’s vision for the future?
ISNAD began as an emergency response but is evolving into a long-term platform for educational recovery and development. By keeping universities operational and students learning, ISNAD is laying the foundation for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and national renewal.
3-Month Sprint: Support 0/500 students
 

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